Guide to Rapallo

'Set in a stunning bay, Rapallo encapsulates Italy at play, with its lively piazzas, bustling harbour and sophisticated air.'

This is eye-candy, Italian style. Set around a stunning, green-hilled bay washed by transparent seas, it's no surprise that pastel-coloured Rapallo's beauty inspired the poet Yeats who made it his home.
Clustered around a lovely harbourfront with a turreted 16th century castle, it's easy to suspect that the town has been torn from the pages of a storybook. In fact, the little fortress is a throwback to Rapallo's medieval origins, when it was once enclosed by walls with five ornate gateways.
Wander around the charming streets, all lined with gaily painted, shuttered houses, and you'll soon realise you're experiencing Italy's fabled Dolce Vita, sophisticated seaside style. Shiny new Vespas buzz around every corner. Chic, sunglassed women chat effusively at smart al-fresco cafes. And sleek yachts glide effortlessly out of the bay to continue their journeys along this elegant slice of Riviera coast.
When you want to join in with the fabric of life here, take a seat at a cafe along the water's edge to enjoy a lazy lunch or candlelit dinner of fresh seafood gazing out over the glittering bay. And late morning or early evening, throw yourself into the bustle around the elegant shops, picking up designer goods or the prized local olive oil.
When you fancy time on the beach, numerous pebble bays await around the town and headlands, although they're popular – so get there early. Alternatively, visit the chic village of Portofino nearby. Settled beneath Mount Portofino, its setting amid sheer-sided cliffs makes a truly heart-stopping sight. And to truly appreciate the postcard-perfection of the area, ride the local cable car to soak up breathtaking bird's eye views over the dazzling blue-and-green coastline below.

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