Lovely Liguria ~ December in Portofino and Santa Margarita

December 20, 1012

Portofino

I'm going a bit out of order, with my postings of the trip, to get the all Christmasy pictures up before Christmas, this year!

This little day trip, was the the day before I left to spend one night in Milan, then board a plane for home. The weather was a little crazy, raining on and off, but I'd never been to Portofino or Santa Margarita. Sweet Vincenzo, drove us in his car (at a million dollars a gallon) so I could check them out. 

Here's an Italian singing Christmas music, for you. You may have heard of him. ;)

Santa Margarita
Liguria, Italy

Saint Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of Santa Margarita ...

Isn't it a lovely place?!

I was pretty good about not shopping, at this point. Partly, because I didn't want to spend any more money, and also because I really couldn't fit anything else into my suitcase. However, there was one exception. 

This photo, above, was taken out in front of a shop, where I got the cutest navy and white stripe, boat neck, t-shirt. You know, the classic nautical style … for being on a yacht, on the Italian Rivera. You never know. It could totally happen, and one must be prepared.

I loved the way the buildings were beautifully painted, and all the mosaic stonework on the sidewalks and fountain areas, that were done in such lovely detail.

In the photo below, you can see what look like little wooden bungalows ...

They were all set up, for a cute little Christmas bazaar. Too bad I was done with my shopping, but it was fun to look!

The Basilica of Santa Margarita, is there on the right, in the next photo. Very cute little piazza. I can imagine it crawling with people when the weather is warm.

To be happy 

You must be your own sunshine.

~C.E. Jerningham

How cute was this hat?! Ah … red.

Vincenzo and I thought this was such a lovely way to keep spices!

Here is my dog. O.K., I wish it was my dog. I took several pictures of her. The shop was closed, so she must have been in there with the owner. Isn't she the cutest? Pretty sure she is an Italian Spinone. My dream dog.

 

We had a yummy lunch in Santa Margarita. Vincenzo had the tortellini, we split the mussels ...

And I had this amazing fish dish, with pine nuts and olives. This is a bit torturous right now, because I haven't had dinner yet tonight.

After lunch, we headed a short distance to Portofino. I must say, I could see why my friend Kristen fell in love with Santa Margarita. It was lovely and charming, and had great seafood. 

Portofino

I just love the color palette … some paintings perhaps.

Below, you can see the church steeple, just to the right of center ...

Church of San Martino
Divo Martino
XII Century, renovated in the 1800s

From the landing of the church. Look at the beautiful mosaic work, on the ground!

Love came down at Christmas;

Love all lovely, love divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

~Christina Rossetti

Vincenzo, waiting patiently, as I took yet another 50 photos, by the church.

By now, the Christmas lights had come on ...

The perfect Christmas tree?

All Christmas trees are perfect!

~ Charles N Barnard

I love the fireman suits ...

Selfie with Vincenzo, in Portofino ...

If you didn't see the PBS specie,l where Bocelli sings in Portofino, you might want to check this out. You can see the lights on the buildings behind him, and it also shows old photos of the rich and famous, from Clark Gable to Ingrid Bergman, while they were vacationing in Portofino. :)

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration 
is being wreathed in smiles.
~Author Unknown


A Christmasy Genoa post, and the big tree in Milan, as well!

Blessings and light!