Portofino

ONCE A SLEEPY FISHING HARBOUR, THIS SMALL TOWN IS NOW A TOURIST IDYLL ALONG THE PICTURESQUE ITALIAN RIVIERA. here, as during the summer the port becomes a hub of yachting activity and the harbour simply pulses with life. For those more active there are popular diving sites nearby and, of course, you can have a go at sailing yourself. Or for those more historically minded there are several museums, castles and churches close by that are well worth exploring. And  Castello Brown, dating back to the 16th Century, offers one of the best views of Portofino from its once protective battlements. But if you like to be in the thick of it, take a pew at the harbour and be a part of the summertime buzz. Relaxing and people watching are the two biggest pass times