Camogli and surrounds

Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 09:46 AM
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Camogli and surrounds

We will be in Camogli for 5 days in August. Intend to do day trips to Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Sestri Levante, Also want to have lunch at Manuelina in Recco. Several of these places are accessible either by boat or by train. I would like to hear from anyone who knows the area whether it's smarter to go be boat or by train for any/each of them, e.g. does the train (or boat) stop closer to the main part of town (or, in the case of Recco, to Manuelina restaurant)? Thanks very much for any guidance you can give me.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 10:15 AM
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It's easier to get to Manuelina if you take a bus from Camogli. Get off where the bus ends in Recco and drops off everybody. It's about a 5 minute walk from there. (The train is quite high on the hill and a much longer walk. Manuelina is not at the seaside but inland.) Be aware that the buses can be crowded in August. Taxis will also take you to Manuelina for about 15e.

Most people find it too expensive to take a boat from Camogli to either Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo because there are 3 legs of the journey and you need to buy separate tickets for each leg. The train ride to these towns is quick and cheap, and the bus rides are quite scenic. However, the bus ride is both vertiginous and lots of turns (especially to & from Santa Margherita Ligure), so if you have fear of heights or motion sickness, not a good idea.

If there is a boat that stops in Camogli and goes to Sestri Levante, it surely takes quite some time to get there. Train is simpler.

You didn't ask but the best food in reach of Camogli is in Chiavari at Luchin. Their farinata is outstanding but so are many of their other dishes like stuffed mussels or rabbit, or cima if you want to try it. Closed Sundays. Caffe Defilla also has the best "shakerato" if you like cold coffee drinks, and delicious gelato (although Frigidarium in Rapallo is one of the best in Italy for summer fruit flavors, in particular melon). Caffe Defilla is closed Mondays.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 12:07 PM
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Actually, I just double-checked with Google and from the bus stop to Manuelina is more like 15 minute walk. In August, you might find it simpler to take a taxi that drops you off at the doorstep of Manuelina at the exact time you want. (reservation needed for August) You can always walk to the bus stop or the train after lunch -- or if there is a boat, that would be most fun. But I don't think boats run very frequently from Recco to Camogli.

Walking back from Manuelina on the via Roma you will pass Bocchia coffee roasters. They have a bar and they make chilled coffee frappe in summer. It's excellent. They also sell various Ligurian cookies if you are looking for lightweight food gifts.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 03:02 AM
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massimop, Thank you so much for your very complete response. Sorry, it's taken me so long to get back to this post. I'd forgotten I'd written it. We leave on Monday so the advice will definitely be used. I'm leaning to a taxi for Manuelina. Sounds like it would be very "worth it" especially if the day is hot. And I think we might do better with trains for our other journeys.

Again, I really appreciate all the time you took to give such a complete answer to my questions. You've undoubtedly saved us lots of angst and possible agony.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 03:51 AM
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Sure. I'll add that it does appear that there is a regular boat shuttling between Recco & Camogli at this time of year. I still recommend a taxi to Recco but taking the boat back if the day is not windy might be fun. Buon viaggio!
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 03:58 AM
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massimop, Thank you so much for your very complete response. Sorry, it's taken me so long to get back to this post. I'd forgotten I'd written it. We leave on Monday so the advice will definitely be used. I'm leaning to a taxi for Manuelina. Sounds like it would be very "worth it" especially if the day is hot. And I think we might do better with trains for our other journeys.

Again, I really appreciate all the time you took to give such a complete answer to my questions. You've undoubtedly saved us lots of angst and possible agony.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 04:01 AM
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Sorry for my double posting. In researching your restaurant recommendation I tripped onto Italythisway website and picked up some interesting info about Chiavari which definitely looks worthy of exploration. Again, thanks massimop, for pointing me in several good directions.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 04:22 AM
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Just be aware that Chiavari's main beautiful piazza might still have scaffolding around its medieval courthouse.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 07:06 AM
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Thanks for the warning, but even if it does, the town looks worthy of a visit. Thanks for getting me to look at it.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 08:44 AM
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Chiavari can be most enjoyable after 4.30pm & heading into the cocktail hour & dinner. Luchin doesn't start serving until 7pm earliest. In August it is good to claim seats early. Be aware outdoor tables at Luchin have backless chair seating. If Defilla is open it has delicious little chocolate confections it makes called "sorrisi" as well as great coffee, gelati, pastries & cocktails. I would favor dessert there over Luchin.

Be sure to note the departure times of the return trains to Camogli. If you miss a train and must wait a long time for another, there is often dancing on the beach at night in August.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 08:58 AM
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Again, thanks very much. Great info.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 09:08 AM
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Thanks for the great info, massimop. I'm in Genoa for a week in October and Chiavari's old town is high on my list of places to visit. Will try to have dinner at Luchin.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 09:37 AM
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No advice, just looking forward to reading your trip report.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:45 AM
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We enjoyed our meals at Manuelina,Julie. Loved that area of Italy.
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