Road trip to Italy

 Earlier this month, we went on a road trip to Italy. At first, the boys were a little apprehensive watching the preparations, but quickly got excited when they realised they were coming along, too.

With Portofino as our final destination, we stopped halfway along the way for the night at Alassio, Italy. 

I recently bought a Goyard St. Louis tote, and it was perfect for carrying dog paraphernalia. I love the bright blue colour and how ultra-lightweight it is (an insert is in the making!)

A very short and strong Italian espresso

Loved the vintage-style postcards

The second day, we arrived in Portofino. The picturesque harbour is lined with colourful buildings in terracotta, coral, warm pinks and yellows, and pastel blues and greens. The colours are rooted in Ligurian tradition, historically helping fishermen identify their homes from the sea. Most houses have deep green shutters, and many feature decorative painted elements, such as trompe l'oeil arches, windows and balconies.

We had lovely and memorable meals at the DaV Mare, part of the Splendido Mare hotel.

The detail to attention was amazing, and included an offering of sausage treats to our boys. It is fair to say that the DaV Mare has become Wiener and Roley's favourite restaurant!

In the mornings and evenings, I took the boys for long walks and we explored the surroundings. A small path led us up to the hills above Portofino, from where you could walk along the coast with spectacular views. Below the Villa Valdameri Mondadori, nestling above a small swimming cove called Baia Cannone and only accessible on foot or by boat.

Breakfast at the Splendido Mare

The tower of San Martino Church

Can anyone spot Roley?

Trompe l'oeil details

A lovely dinner at Ristoranti Strainer with superb fresh pasta con porcini e tartufo.

The harbour, a sparkling jewel at night.

On the way back, we stopped in Villefranche-sur-Mer, a small and picturesque fishing village that remains authentic to this day. It is located between Nice and Monaco, but the architecture and colours make you think you are still in Italy (Villefranche was for many centuries part of what is today known as Italy).

The Chapelle Saint Pierre, often called the "Cocteau Chapel", is an absolute highlight to visit. The chapel has deep roots in Villefranche's fishing community. It served as a place of worship for the local fishermen and later as a storage space for their fishing nets. The artist Jean-Cocteau frequently stayed at the Hotel Welcome opposite the harbour, and befriended the fishermen during his many visits. As a sign of this friendship, he decorated the chapel's interior and exterior in 1957. The frescoes inside are painted with chalk in soft colours and depict Mediterranean life and episodes of the life of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. The decorations blend spirituality, local culture and Cocteau's artistic handwriting, making it a wonderful and memorable feast for the eyes.

(No photography allowed inside)

Upon return from the sea, the fishermen sell their daily catch right by the quai.

Villefranche's fortress 

The bay of Villefranche with St Jean Cap Ferrat in the background

It's been a fun trip, and the boys were on their best behaviour!

Back home, I started a new appliqué flower (work in progress below), but it wasn't until I sat down to put this blog together that I realised how much the colour choices reflected the Ligurian coast.

The towns and places mentioned above:

Alassio: 

Grand Hotel Alassio 

Portofino:

DaV Mare

Ristorante Strainer

Splendido Mare

Villefranche-sur-Mer: 

La Chapel Saint-Pierre

Welcome Hotel