We left Portovenere early in glorious sunshine. The plan was to sail past the Cinque Terre – five colourful villages clinging to the cliffs – to Portofino. Mooring fees were indicated to be very high, but it had to be done.
In the event there was little wind and we motored close inshore. The villages were spectacular. At La Venazza we picked up a visitor’s buoy off the town for lunch. It was very hot and Alistair swam before we continued on our way.
Arriving at Portofino we had to wait for a 200ft long motorboat, Wedge Too, to moor. Unable to turn in the port she reversed in, filling the channel at times. Once moored she dwarfed everything in the harbour. Although not normally a fan of motor yachts she was pleasing to look at. A Feadship styled by Phillips Starck with a traditional look. Read more here.
We moored and paid the 85 Euro fee! (But it did include excellent showers!) We watched the harbour masters whizzing around in their dories, standing up, shepherding boats. A walk into town failed to yield a restaurant we wanted to eat in so we returned and ate aboard.
The next day we walked past the artisitic gardens and down the promontory protecting Portofino from the West.
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The Tuscany coast at its most attractive – Cinque Terre.
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Looking back at Portovenere in the morning sun
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The for and church on the Portovenere headland
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Aug 25a Leaving Portovenere 011
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Looking up the Tuscany coast towards the Cinque Terre – the villages hanging from the rocks overlooking the sea.
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Leaving Veranda towards Portofino
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Vernaza. We picked up a buoy for lunch in water so blue and so deep! And it was so hot.
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Manarola
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Riomaggiore on the Cinque Terre.
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We debated the cost of a night in Portofino but it had to be done.
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We had to follow this large motor yacht in.
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Inside Portofino awaiting Wedge Too, the motor yacht, to berth
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Wedge Too reverses into the quay – she filled the fairway.
