Gulf Paradise
The Gulf of Paradise stretches along the Ligurian Levant coast between Genoa and Portofino, in an wonderful combination of rocky coves, beaches, bays, harbors, seaside towns, hills, sunshine and mild weather. Along the coast you will find Bogliasco, Pieve Ligure, Sori, Recco and Camogli. Bordering val Fontanabuona to the north, you’ ll find Avegno and Uscio, both landlocked towns in the immediate hinterland.
Anita B&B is located in Uscio and is 9 km away from Recco and Camogli where depart the ferry boats to Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso
Recco:
Known as “Gourmet’s capital of Liguria”, you can taste the delicious focaccia with cheese, a unique speciality that has made it famous all over the world. Recco is always famous for water polo and offers also experiences of sailing and surfing school. The fire festival is a september celebration to honor Madonna of the Sanctuary of Recco. From Recco the trains depart to the towns of Tigullio and Cinque Terre and the ferry boats depart to Camogli, Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso. From San Fruttuoso you can take the ferry line to Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo.
Camogli
Camogli is the city of “a thousand white sailing ships,” home to the famous vessel that was built in the 19th century by the skilled hands of Camogli armateurs. It departed from the old port and sailed the seas of the world with brave captains and sailors on-board. On the old cliff, which has been sculpted by the waves and the fury of the sea, stands “Dragonara,” the heroic castle which for centuries protected its inhabitants from pirate attacks and looters. To this day, if you visit the “Marine Museum” hosted in the castle, you can take a dive into the past and savor history, culture and traditions.
Next to the castle stands the “Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta,” where you can find the 19th century wooden statue of the Assunta made by Bernardo Schiaffino. In the small harbor, yachts are a rare sighting, but you can find small fishing boats and tourist-line ferry boats there. In the small square, the smell of bread and hot focaccia is mixed with the scent of seaweed, fish and the coconut fishing nets which were once made by the hands of women and sailors from the lisca plant, which thrives on the mountain of Portofino still today.
The city that makes you fall in love and write love poems, perhaps in memory of a time when wives of sailors and fishermen used to listen to the whispering voice of the wind and the sea while waiting for their husbands’ return. That wind that brought words of love from far away still enchants lovers who tie their promises for a magical love on the old dock, on a net made by the fishermen of Camogli.”
Every second Sunday of May, in Camogli, the smell of fried fish fills the air. It is the “Sagra del Pesce” in honor of San Fortunato, protector of the fishermen. A large pan with a diameter of 4 meters and a 6-meter-long handle is used for the frying. Almost three tons of fresh fish are fried and distributed to guests in an atmosphere of joy and ancient tradition.
Every first Sunday of August, you can witness the veneration of Stella Maris, the Madonna protector of sailors worshiped since the sixth century. She watches over the waters from the small chapel on the rocky spur of Punta Chiappa. A procession of decorated boats is led by “Udragun,” a historical boat built in 1968 by taking the model of an ancient schooner with two white sails and propelled by twelve rowers. In the evening, the festival takes on a magical tone with the lit candles that from each boat are placed in the sea, illuminating like stars in the sea at night.”
Punta Chiappa
It’s a rocky spur that juts out into the sea for about 50m, showcasing all the beauty and generosity of the mountain mixed with a multicolored variety of the underwater world including a variety of fish, algae and corals, making it an ideal spot for lovers of snorkeling and diving. Here you can find the small harbor known as “Porto Pidocchio,” where ferries coming from Recco and Camogli dock for San Fruttuoso, and those back from San Fruttuoso dock for Recco and Camogli. It is a favourite spot for fishermen who lay their nets and moor their boats in the harbour. The altar of Stella Maris, protector of sailors and fishermen, is built on the highest point of the spur and a mosaic by the painter Giuseppe del Pozzo depicts the Madonna, Star of the Sea, protecting sailors in a boat amidst the storm.
San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte
The legend tells that in the VIII century, a group of faithful fled from the Arab invasion of Spain. They were carrying the ashes of Saint Fruttuoso. To their surprise, an angel appeared in a dream and told them about a place in a hidden cove in the Ligurian Sea where they could find refuge and lay the Saint’s relics. Guided and protected by the angel from the storms at sea, they reached out the bay and with the angel’s help, they defeated the dragon who possessed the bay. They also built a monastery where the ashes are still preserved today, inside the main altar of the Abbey.
The 16th century tower with the coat of arms of the Doria family was built on the cliff, and watches over the bay recalling times of piracy and armed incursions. A fascinating and enchanting place where you can breathe the fresh sea air and the mountain breeze, take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear sea or taste Ligurian delicacies in the nearby restaurants. For diving enthusiasts, with guided tours, you can visit the Christ of Abyss at 17-meter depth. From San Fruttuoso, you can take the ferries to Portofino, Santa Margherita, and Rapallo.
Where are we:
"To the curious traveler visiting Liguria, land of sailors and navigators ,coral fisherman, lace-makers, poets and writers, may the sent of our land and the see breeze takes you to the most beautiful places in your heart ones you have always dreamed of."
