Along the Ligurian sea is Genoa and a few other po...

Along the Ligurian sea is Genoa and a few other port cities from where you would embark if you were planning a trip to the islands of Corsica (France) or Sardinia (Italy). You can either walk on or drive a car onto the ferries. Sailing to Sardinia and Corsica is beautiful and it s very easy to arrange.

If you have the time, try to make a special trip to Portofino. Portofino is a picturesque seaside town south of Genoa that looks as if it were the set of a musical production. If you feel like splurging a little, stay at the luxurious Hotel Splendido.

In addition to their elegant main building above the town, there is another smaller building in the town on the water (the Splendido Mare). You should consider staying at the Splendido Mare with a village view. You will still have access to everything in the main building and it's totally worth it. If you are not planning to stay at the Spendido, consider having dinner at the restaurant in the Splendido Mare. Spend no more than two to three nights in Portofino as the town will begin to feel small.

Walking from the Splendido Mare, you can wander along the small harbor and see the very impressive yachts.

Immediately, next door to the Spendido Mare is Ristorante Puny which will require a reservation as will all the restaurants in the Splendido. Puny is a favorite among Italians; you might see many well-known public figures there. In general, actual Italians on holiday actually do visit Portofino. This is not the case for many places in Italy.

Portofino and the towns surrounding Genoa are known for their pesto, a sauce made from fresh basil, oil, and pine nuts. Eat all the pesto all the time.