A lunchtime train from Milano to Rapallo from Centralo meant that we had a very leisurely start to our Rapallo adventure. It had been ten years since we first came here with the boys and loving it, nothing has changed. We are staying at the Hotel Riveria (the pink hotel in the picture below) which is just across the road from the glorious Rapallo promenade. An easy walk from the station and a quick check in before we catch up with our friend Marika who is from here. The Italian Riveria is incredibly beautiful and the people are very polite with those of us that speak very little Italian.

Unfortunately we missed the lunar eclipse as it was quite overcast here last night which was very disappointing for those of us who were waiting for it to appear. But we did get to listen to a number of pianists who were playing in different places around the city as part of a music festival it was simply magical. Above is one of the places that a young pianist played with the lights changing colour throughout the performance- Bellissimo!

A quick breakfast this morning and we were off to Portofino, we braved the local bus (with very helpful instructions from Marika thank you), catching the 78 and then changing at St. Margherita (where the locals go to swim), then onto Portofino, mama mia it is a sight for sore eyes. It is as beautiful as we remembered but this time we walked up to Castello Brown which is above the harbour.

The castle itself is nothing very special but the views are sensational. There are lots of stairs, I’m not sure how many and the ground uneven but getting to the top is certainly worth it. I think that there may have been a wedding up there this afternoon and it would be perfect although you would need to have a shower after you had walked up there before putting on your wedding finery 😀.

The ferry home to Rapallo was really quick with just one stop and then back to the hotel for us to get ready for a night out with Marika, her mum Ileana and Angelo and her four beautiful children.

What a great night we have had, tonight was day two of a three day festival to celebrate their patron di Sant’Anna. You have the opportunity to buy great local food (served by kids) catchup with good friends and dance the night away. It was a blast, words can’t really describe how much fun we had, I was dragged kicking and screaming (not) up to dance where a live band with a variety of singers performed from Ed Sheeran to the Village People to more traditional Italian songs. Age was no limit on the dance floor with nanas and pops jiving away to youngsters waltzing. It was a wonderful event for us to be able to attend with local people enjoying local food and wine.

Leaving just after midnight with the band still playing, I had a full heart, aching feet and face – from dancing and smiling. It was one of those nights that you couldn’t reproduce if you tried, it was simply awesome. Thank you Marika, Ileana and Angelo for inviting us along we felt really privileged.