The Ligurian Coast
When we first decided to go to the Italian coast this spring, we were headed to Portofino.
One good search by our travel agent (my husband), revealed high hotel prices, which led us to Rapallo on the Golfo del Tigullio instead. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong or lacking in the small village of Portofino (population around 700), after all, one of my favorite stays in life happened twice at the La Torretta Lodge in Manarola (population less than 500).
That said, I’m ever so happy to have wound up in Rapallo. In the mid-19th century, people started to discover this gorgeous haven with its moderate temperatures and highly walkable promenade. This visit made us understand the draw.
Just shy of 31,000 residents, Rapallo has a lot to offer, including what turned out to be a favorite daily activity: simply wandering the winding streets to see what new discovery we would make and could we find our way back to the hotel? Oh, yes, head toward the crisp, clear sea air and all would be good.
Our Rapallo Hotel
We stayed at the Hotel Vesuvio, yards from the Riviera di Levante coastline. We opted for a bit of a splurge on the topmost corner room and it was well worth it. The sidewalk, Lungomare Vittorio Veneto (street), promenade (then water) are all busy, busy, busy, but the voices are full of laughter, the cars and scooters subdued and, well, who doesn’t love to people-spy from five stories up?
Even if the room wasn’t great (it was), you’d have to love the staff at the hotel. Friendly, helpful, kind, fun…you couldn’t ask for better people to make your stay worthwhile. Family-owned, we spoke mostly with Luciano, who advised on hiking down from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro, even checking our footwear to make sure it would stand up. (Side note: our Oboz hiking shoes were well-appreciated on this steep downward walk, as were my Black Diamond trekking poles.)
Around the Town of Rapallo
The scooters whiz around with all manner of drivers guiding them. They are a part of the culture, the life style, so vehicle drivers know to watch out for them. We saw the immediate aftermath of a panel van colliding with a motorcycle on one of the bridges. Hearing the thunk, we turned our heads and there it was. No yelling or blaming, but three men piling out of the van, rushing to the cyclist and helping him up with great concern. Each appeared shaken.
The Rapallo Castle, circa 1550, alluded us. Locating it was easy. It would be hard to miss jutting out into the water and looking like the solid fortress it started as. We tried two different times to enter, interested initially in the art display being held. A woman watched us walk the start of the red carpet up to the top of the stairs and then motioned, quite forcefully, away-away. They were going to close for lunch in ten minutes, but she wouldn’t let us in for a glance. Another day, having planned our schedule to work with the hours, we tried again. We weren’t halfway up the stairs this time when she abruptly pointed at us and again motioned to go away. Curious, we watched from the sidewalk as she let other people in. Did she simply not like the look of us?
No matter, we had plenty of entertainment watching the goings on around the castle.
The Italian People are Resilient
We’d been to Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, which is one of the rare sand beaches along this stretch. It was a shock to see, from San Fruttuoso to Rapallo, people enjoying the stony shores. We’ve been in four of the Hawaii islands and walked both shores of the USA. Our feet are accustomed to the soft, hot sands under our feet. Oh, except for the volcanic side of The Big Island … ah, the things we choose to overlook.
Hardy folks reclined on every piece of land with water lapping against it. They looked as happy as if they rested on the perfect mattress. The beaches are public lands, but are often divided by companies offering services such as umbrellas and chaise lounges.
A feature of Rapallo are the 1950s changing huts on the piers jutting into the water, making use of every available space for sunning. We heard them referred to lidos, which makes sense, especially when they were erecting a large above ground pool, having imported sand for the base of it.
Water taxis were another thing we hadn’t seen before.
Located near the bridge by the Christoper Columbus statue, the boats were tethered to ropes crossing from side to side of the canal. Don’t you want to take one, even without a destination in mind?
We went in Para Come Mangi, a delicatessen, and alcohol store. Their windows draw you in with the colorful, inviting displays. A few days later, the gentleman who helped us select an aged grappa, recognizing us and shaking our hands as we headed to the train station.
Roaming Rapallo’s streets, we discover churches and gelato shops. It’s easy to think there’s most likely another trip to Rapallo in our future.
I love all the beautiful pictures of Rapallo. The beaches are beyond breathtaking. And good for you for bringing the sensible hiking shoes. I see tourists where I live walking around in heals. I’m like, “are you crazy?”
Erica, I think the tourist I saw on the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor takes the cake: a foot encased in a boot-like “cast” on one foot and a flipflop on the other. Huh?
Rapallo and the area–wow to gorgeous.
The history and the beauty of this place. It is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I can easily see you spending a month traveling to these places, William.
I’ve never heard of Rapallo before but after reading your post I couldn’t help but jump over and look it up on Google to get the BIG picture of what it looks like. Oh my, what a beautiful place! Sounds like you had a wonderful time (though I have a feeling you do no matter where you are!) and thanks for introducing us to this lovely destination. 🙂
I’m smiling, Marquita. Yes, I can have fun anywhere doing anything. That’s a gift I got from my father. Dad was good at teaching us to enjoy the moment, which I am most thankful for. I hope that you get to Rapallo one of these days!
Hi Rose! Thx for introducing me to Rapallo. I have not heard of it previously. But can certainly see myself in one of those water taxis! Looks like lots to explore and enjoy.
Doreen, I rarely repeat a specific stay (La Torretta B&B in Manarola, Cinque Terre being one exception), but I would definitely go to Rapallo again. Much more to see there than 1 week allowed.
I have the exact same favourite travel activity! The amount of places I’ve been to where I’ve done nothing but wander for hours on end, people watching and stumbling across interesting things. Best way to explore, I reckon!
Claire, it’s the people interactions that make a trip memorable.
That’s too bad the guide at The Rapallo Castle didn’t appear to like the looks of you, but there are many other castles to explore. I was bummed that the Poozenboot was closed the day I would have been able to see it in Amsterdam. What’s cooler than stray cats on a houseboat? A lot, but still, I was bummed I didn’t get to see it.
Drat, I didn’t know about the Poozenboot when I was in Amsterdam–you’re right–would have been fun to see it.
Looks like a great place to stay despite the “welcome” you got at the castle.
Got to ignore these little things and celebrate all the great things that happened elsewhere!