One of the many joys of being a single-by-choice woman is the spontaneity of being able to travel on a whim. Italy is such a beautiful country and I had missed being able to travel there during the pandemic. I stayed for a night in Milan to visit the fashion capital and sample some delicious Milanese cuisine. I also travelled by train from Milan down to the coastal towns of Rapallo and Portofino on the Italian Riviera. This is what living ‘la dolce vita’ (the sweet life) means to me – making the most of every short and sweet moment!
Friday evening in Milan
Arriving at the chic, boutique hotel, Palazzo Segreti, I received a very warm welcome from the Irish Italian receptionist. He recommended a local restaurant that serves authentic ltalian cuisine, ‘Rosso Brera‘ , only a ten minute walk away. While dining al fresco, I enjoyed delectable shrimp and avocado tartare for starters, lobster pasta for mains and tiramisu and a cappucino for dessert. The elegant Brera district lies in the heart of Milan. It’s home to the fresco filled, 15th-century Santa Maria del Carmine church. A seven minute stroll takes you to Piazza del Duomo and the architecturally stunning shopping arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Rapallo
Located on the north western Ligurian coast, Rapallo is considered to be the pearl of the Italian Riviera. It’s a thriving resort that boasts narrow, cobblestone streets, colourful villas that climb the mountain base and a bustling historic centre. A short stroll along the waterfront brings you to the 16th century Rapallo castle. On the way to my hotel, I walked through the last medieval gateway of the town of Rapallo. Arriving at the Best Western Plus Tigullio Royal , I was thrilled to be upgraded to a balcony room which boasts panoramic views of the marina.
After checking in, I walked to Piazza Cavour around the corner from the hotel. As I sat outside enjoying a delicious strawberry margherita at the Clipper cocktail bar, the heavens opened up. End of summer thunderstorms are quite common in Italy. The rain is just warmer here than in Ireland!
Portofino
The best way to enjoy scenic views of the riviera coastline, is to take the ferry from Rapallo to Portofino (25 mins). As I passed all the super yachts on arrival into Portofino marina, I felt I was on the set of a James Bond movie. Pastel buildings with green shutters housing classy shops and restaurants line the promenade. It takes ten minutes to walk from the village to the the historic 15th century Brown Castle at the top of the hill. The panoramic views overlooking Portofino bay are breathtaking.
I enjoyed the very best Italian cuisine while dining al fresco along the Portofino promenade. Delicious shrimp and courgette linguine was washed down with a mojito. Dessert was mouthwatering vanilla and dark chocolate ice cream. Before boarding the ferry back to Rapallo, I strolled around the village and walked down the steps of the playground of the riviera.
La Dolce Vita
Now that I’m home, I miss Italy terribly and dream about it every night. I made the most of every minute of my short and sweet weekend. One of the great joys of travelling through Italy is discovering firsthand that it is, indeed, a dream destination. I’m already planning to return to Rapallo and Portofino and stay for a week next summer!
All photos copyright of the author
