The Italian Riviera was absolutely incredible. We stayed in Rapallo, Italy at the Hotel Riviera overlooking the Ligurian Sea. The rock shores and Castle on the sea were just like looking at a poster. The water was so calm and great for swimming at the end of the hot July days. The Italian Riviera, is the narrow coastal strip which lies between the Ligurian Sea and the mountain chain formed by the Maritime Alps. We decided to stay in Rapallo because there was easy parking, a great selection of restaurants and cafes, as well as authentic night life. Rapallo was also convenient to take a boat and train to the towns of Cinque Terre, and a short drive to Portofino & Santa Margherita! We took a day for each area and soaked in the sun, sights, and coast. Unfortunately it took us almost our entire trip to get used to the hours restaurants are open for lunch and dinner! So be sure to set an alarm for 12:30 to eat lunch and 7:30 for dinner! Don’t miss it because there are barely any other options when Italians close shop.
Our concierge at the Hotel Riviera was extremely helpful and we enjoyed our first Italian dinner at the Hotel restaurant with one of my favorite wines! Thank goodness Freddie could speak Italian, because since it’s a smaller town and not a tourist trap there a not as many english speaking Italians. This may also be another reason why we both loved Rapallo, it was more where the Italians decided to vaca, so the night life and restaurants were not “touristy” and we even caught a live music night where they closed the streets down and had the band in the middle of the street overlooking the Sea! GORGEOUS definitely a dream.
Our second day we headed to Portofino to explore. Unfortunately the town’s parking was full so you either had to drive back and walk from miles away or boat in. So we decided to drive back down the coast to Santa Margherita for swimming & shopping. Quickly grabbed lunch before they closed and then headed back to Portofino around 3:30 when the crowds had left! Portofino officially had my favorite pesto whole fish dish, perfection. The views from the restaurant on the coast were breathtaking and were my favorite from the entire trip. We even had a celebrity sighting, Dolce from Dolce & Gabbana! Stuffed and exhausted from the heat and walking we headed back to Rapallo, changed and headed out for a romantic dinner overlooking the Ligurian sea! Watch for more from Italy, the next day we headed to Cinque Terre.
Santa Margherita outside the Pizzeria Ristorante Da Emilio we chose! I learned that a focaccia formaggio is not a cheese foccacia yet a plain cheese pizza with white sauce, YUM!
My first Italian cappuccino!
Freddie’s happy place!
We even caught a sighting of a pair of thieves getting caught and arrested by the police. They were treated so kindly by the Italian police and didn’t resist.
Took a relaxing swim in the sea before heading back to Portofino! These rock beaches were so beautiful and easy to walk on!
Made it to Portofino and even got parking right downtown with our Alfa Romeo
I died! Such a happy spot for me, the sights, sounds, food, boats and Italian riviera wedding venue overlook of the port that we found while exploring were fabulous. We found the Castello Brown as we hiked up the mountain overlooking Portofino.
Castello Brown an amazing Italian Riviera wedding venue up on the mountain top above the coast! So beautiful. 
Dolce & Gabbana‘s yacht! No joke!
The Italians make any waterfront spot a public swimming area! Loved the feel of this town
My happy place 🙂
Passenger driving through these tight roads was so terrifying, Freddie rocked it tho without scratching the car at all! Even huge buses made it around these corners NO idea how but they did!
Check back soon for more from our Italian adventure next up Cinque Terre!