Promontory villages

Salt-dry seaweed on the breeze and low afternoon light skimming painted facades: in Camogli, trompe-l’œil windows and cornices reveal the wealth of 18th–19th century seafaring families. Just 20 minutes from Portofino, boats slip past Santa Maria Assunta while slender “palazzi” stretch higher thanks to clever paintwork. A short hop away, the cove of San Fruttuoso—reached only by boat or footpath—keeps its 10th‑century Benedictine abbey and the Doria watchtower. Lunch can unfold at Punta Chiappa, a dark volcanic ledge facing the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

This half‑day unfolds easily: your dedicated driver collects you at the hotel, keeps the Mercedes ready, and adapts the timing to your pace. While you wander Via della Repubblica, take the 25‑minute boat to San Fruttuoso from Camogli, and linger without rushing, he handles all waits and logistics. Taste Recco’s cheese-stuffed focaccia, admire slate inlays at the abbey, then glide back up for a photo stop at Ruta di Camogli (269 m) before returning along scenic SP1.