Where to stay on the Italian Riviera
 

My wife and I are going to the Italian Riviera in Late July-early August. We are not the rustic type, we are not into hiking or staying in small villages. We are looking for an upscale town and an upscale hotel. The town should be similar to Cannes, France in that it has great shopping, restaurants, beautiful people etc. Any ideas on which town and which hotel to stay at? Thanks

Ummm Gary, the Italian Riviera is not like the French Riviera. You may be happier staying in Cannes.

I have to agree with xxx. Even my favorite town on the Ligurian coast, Portovenere, is "down to earth." No designer boutiques or "scene" so to speak, but that's what gives it it's charm.

Hi Gary. Though I've never been there, from what I've read about it, Portofino sounds like it would be the kind of place you're looking for.

Gary, <BR><BR>Portofino may be a tad smaller than your ideal destination (anything on the Italian Riviera is going to be "village-sized", but in terms of upscale and beautiful people, it is exactly what you are looking for. <BR><BR>Try not to twist an ankle hopping between yachts or strain your neck in an attempt to keep your nose above the rest of us rustic village loving peasants.

Lighten up on Gary. He wasn't being snobby, just saying what he likes for a vacation. Agree Gary, that Italian riviera won't be your cup of tea. Portofino is about the closest, but think it's a tad smaller with less activity. Might want to think about Capri.

TJ and Traveller, at first I thought of Portofino and Capri too, and even Positano, but they aren't really "hopping" with clubs or a scene. Capri does have it's designer boutiques, but I found the island to be low key, at least when I was there.

What about San Remo? "...the opulent, aging queen of the Italian riviera, her grand hotels and aristocratic villas as beautiful and out of date as antimacassars on an armchair."

Daniel, could you name the source of your quote? I am visiting that area in a few weeks and would like to learn more about San Remo. <BR><BR>Out of date and aging...mmm, isn't that one reason why we visit Italy - to see what life was like in the past? Aren't most of the great things to see in Italy out of date and aging also?

I quoted from Cadogan guide: Italy by Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls. Are we allowed to mention other guide books?

Thank you, Daniel. I'll look it up and read the section about San Remo and the Italian Riviera. <BR><BR>I will be spending time from SML to San Remo and squeezing in a little of the French side also.<BR><BR>I understand that the Italian Riviera is different from the French Riviera and San Remo, in particular, may be somewhat past its prime, but I look upon traveling as an opportunity to learn about a different place - an adventure. <BR><BR>

It is very easy to travel to all the towns along the coast. San Remo is only 15 minutes by local train from Ventimiglia, where the French trains start/end. I think the Italian Riviera is more charming than the French C&ocirc;te d´Azur, but less glamorous. San Remo is famous in Italy for the pop music festival.

We will be there in July - just about the same trip you are making, Curious. <BR><BR>I read somewhere that there is an international fireworks festival in San Remo in July. I think we will be there when it takes place. Anyone out there know anything about this? Our rental place has a good view of the harbor so I hope we will be able to see it from where we are located. <BR><BR>Daniel, thanks for the information about the Italian Riviera. I hope it is charming and not a disappointment. I am really looking forward to the trip.<BR>

Hi Gary,<BR><BR>The Amalfi region is very beautiful, and Capri is quite chi-chi. Also, my understanding is that lots of celebrities visit Ravello and Positano on the Amalfi coast, if you want that type of Cannes feeling. But both are quiter than Cannes since they are smaller.<BR><BR>Kiki<BR><BR>

My experience on the Italian Riveria two years ago was that San Remo was over-rated by the guidebooks. It's not terribly interesting or attractive! We stayed at the Royal Hotel which really is a grand hotel but is noticeably past its prime. The casino is beautiful on the outside, but ugly inside. If you're in the area, stop by for a few hours or one night at the most.<BR><BR>The only real town on the Italian Riviera that is a "beautiful people" destination is Portofino...but as other people have said it is really just a village. The Splendido hotel there is supposed to be one of the best hotels in Italy and you pay for it.<BR><BR>Santa Margherita Ligure, a larger town (but still small) right next to Portofino, was a very nice place to visit and there is a slightly larger choice of good hotels and restaurants to choose from. Shopping there is good but not as luxe as in Portofino. You can also take the train or boat from there to visit a few towns of the Cinque Terra, if you like.