Portofino & Turin
Portofino, near Genoa, is a jewel on the Mediterranean coast.
Be warned – if you are going to drive here, be prepared for many, narrow hair-pin bends with on-coming suicidal Italian drivers playing “chicken” with you.
Portofino with Castello Brown overlooking it on the high headland.
The small harbour area is very picturesque. We ate outside and even though it was October, we were too hot and moved into the shade. We then happen to see Silvio Berlusconi disembark from a yacht and sit a couple of tables away from us with his entourage. Short guy & the centre of attention. We managed to spot six of his bodyguards hanging about sitting at nearby tables. Not the sort of guys you easily ask to “push off” when you want a quiet pizza.
We only spent a short in Turin. We didn’t do it justice. This is really a very stylish city. The Museum of the Resorgimento (Italian unification) is very imposing. The Mole Antonelliana is one of the symbols of the city & is its tallest structure.
The Opera House Entrance, very bold.
Cafe Baratti & Milano. Famously ornate.
The ambience of Turin was very relaxed. These policemen were more concerned about chatting up the traffic wardens than chasing any criminals. Maybe that’s why Michael Caine thought this was the suitable venue for the Italian Job.
The Turin Shroud – gone missing!
This was a theatrical anti-climax. Within the Cathedral of St John The Baptist, this side chapel was curtained off. So we waited for “opening” time. When the curtains were eventually drawn, all we could see was this giant photograph above a rustic altar behind bullet-proof glass.
So, Arrivederci Turin & Piedmont. A lovely holiday – all thanks to Edward’s hospitality and his great sense of La Dolce Vita. Thanks again Edward.