Italy 2026 – Santa Margherita – Ligure
Our next step was our favorite of the entire trip. Santa Margherita – Ligure was amazing. A small town near on the Italian Rivera, between the Cinque Terre and Portafino. The hotel tucked in an side street and we were a bit trepidation as we walk up to it. Once inside though we were immediately taken by the amazing vibes of the interior design. It was an eclectic mix of decor that just worked. Turns out the owners include an architect and interior designer; and it showed. The staff was wonderfully pleasant to deal with. When we checked in the lady asked if we were from the area as Casazza is a common Ligurian name. She knows several people in town with the name.
We had lunch at the hotel; trofie pesto, one of our new favorite dishes. After a siesta we had dinner at a restaurant near the waterfront. Even with the view partially blocked by a big sign and the vespas whizzing by on the road with a nice.
In the morning we had break at the hotel before walking to Portafino. It was hot of course but not to bad. We walked by many beaches with umbrellas and people swimming. Porafino was even smaller than SM, really just two streets. We walked out to the light house, well Jeff didn’t quite make it all the way there. The hotel had recommended a restaurant in town a made reservations for us. We found a tunnel, which had a nature power air conditioner blowing out that we stood by waiting for the restaurant to open. We walked up exactly on time, the guy looked at his watch, acknowledged the time and sat us at a table. He was great. Funny old guy, jumping through the different languages of the tourists. The meal was amazing. He also recommended a delicious wine, Vermentino Colli di Luni which is a new favorite.
We took the ferry back to Santa Margherita. This gave a great view back to the towns down the coast. Back in town, we found the pasta place the hotel staff mentioned, Casazza Pasta. We did some shopping. The girls checking out some clothes. For dinner we ate at Beppe Anchilli that the hotel reccommeded which was near the place we ate the first night. We sat inside and the food was very good. We went to the gelato place recommended, El Gepi. That night as we were sleeping we heard fireworks at around 11 o’clock.
In the morning we got up early to go for a swim in the ocean. The water was refreshing. Not freezing like home. Lillian and Jeff swam out a float tied out a bit. There were so many fish. With the google you could see them, the came right up to your hands.
We all agreed Santa Margherita was a favorite. We all would come back.