Portofino in February?

We're doing an MSC cruise in February that stops in Genoa and would like to find a private guide for 8 to 14 people for tour of the city followed by lunch in Portofino. "Share a Shore Excursion" is the only company I've found offering a tour to Portofino during the winter months and they are not very responsive to email messages. Does anyone know if most of the shops and restaurants in Portofino stay open during the winter. Any recommendations for a private guide? All of the companies that provide service around Naples, Rome, and Florence do no offer tours out of Genoa. Thanks for the help!

Ron

The best description we have ever heard about Portofino in the winter is that its a small village in hibernation. Some things will be open...and some places will be closed. The good thing is you will not have to deal with any crowds....in fact...you might not have to deal with anyone :).

Hank

The best description we have ever heard about Portofino in the winter is that its a small village in hibernation. Some things will be open...and some places will be closed. The good thing is you will not have to deal with any crowds....in fact...you might not have to deal with anyone :).

 

Hank

Just about what I thought! :) There are not too many options for Genoa.

Thanks for the reply!

Ron

Portofino is pretty even in winter even with lots of restaurants and shops closed. Why not do this?

Take a train Genova to Rapallo and a taxi to Portofino. Walk around, walk up to the little church (san Giorgio) which will give you a good view of the bay of Portofino and the Castello Brown above the church. Then go back to Rapallo where everything will be open and have lunch. Rapallo is a very very nice seaside town. you might even be able to get a boat from Rapallo to Portofino and back but in February you might not want to be on the sea!

Just about what I thought! :) There are not too many options for Genoa.

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

Ron

Genoa does have a very nice Aquarium, located within walking distance of the cruise ship pier. Had to smile about the post saying that Portofino is pretty in the winter. That is true. On the other hand, we know some ghost towns that are always pretty...but they are still ghost towns. Traveling in the off season has its rewards, but also has drawbacks. As long as you keep this in mind you should have a great trip. But don't forget your "woolies" in case you hit a spell of cold weather. Even Rome has been known to have some snow in the winter.

Hank

Portofino is pretty even in winter even with lots of restaurants and shops closed. Why not do this?

 

Take a train Genova to Rapallo and a taxi to Portofino. Walk around, walk up to the little church (san Giorgio) which will give you a good view of the bay of Portofino and the Castello Brown above the church. Then go back to Rapallo where everything will be open and have lunch. Rapallo is a very very nice seaside town. you might even be able to get a boat from Rapallo to Portofino and back but in February you might not want to be on the sea!

This is helpful as we are planning something similar for our MSC cruise this December. We will be in Genoa between Christmas and NY. I would expect maybe a few more things open that week as compared to February - but we would enjoy hiking , walking and taking photos even with nothing open. A couple questions:

Will we be able to find a taxi on our return from Portofino in winter or will taxis be gone?

How about train to Santa Margherita (and lunch there) rather than Rapallo - will Santa Margherita be open for business? Can someone compare the two towns? thanks.

We have stayed in all three towns Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Portofino. Really there is not a lot to choose from between Santa Margherita and Rapallo they are both very pretty. Portofino was very quiet when we stayed in October (after day trippers had gone home). You can walk from Santa Margherita to Rapallo and there is a cable car up the mountains in Rapallo which we really enjoyed, the lunch at the top with fabulous views was good too, the latest we have visited is October so not sure how different either town would be.