How to get there
There are two equally scenic ways to reach the abbey at San Fruttuoso: by sea, on one of the boats that embark on the 30-minute trip at regular intervals from Camogli or from one of several other lovely stops along the Ligurian coastline; by land, departing from Portofino and following one of two spectacular routes. Snorklers must be sure not to miss the underwater view near the Cristo degli Abissi. Those less anxious to get their feet (!) wet can ask one of the local fishermen to get together a brief tour of the bay.

By boat: Regular service departs from Camogli, Portofino, S.Margherita, Rapallo
On foot: Routes set out from Portofino Vetta (90 min.) and Portofino Mare (90 min.)

Abbey Hours:
Dec/Jan/Feb: Holidays and days preceeding holidays from 10:00-16:00
Mar/Apr/Oct: 10:00-16:00
May-Sept: 17:00-18:00
(Closed: Non-Holiday Mondays and the month of November)

Information and guided tour reservations:
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso in Camogli (Genova), Tel/Fax: 0185 772703

Where to sleep
Hotel Splendido in Portofino
Tel: 0185 269551
Fax: 0185 269614
It would not be possible to describe the Splendido di Portofino without using a string of superlatives. It is truly splendid in every sense. It may well be the most luxurious, prestigious and famous grand hotel in all Italy (and maybe the most expensive-- a suite costs more than 1000 Euros per day).
The hotel restaurant is steps away, decorated with the same trompe-l'oeil work and frescoes typical of Ligurian decor. The view of the Portofino promontory is more than magnificent. Closed: January through March 22.

Hotel Nazionale
Tel: 0185 269575
Fax: 0185 269578
In Portofino, it is a small and elegant hotel without a house restaurant. It is closed between March 16 and the end of November. A suite cost about $300.00 per night.

Where to eat
Ristorante da Giovanni
Tel: 0185 770047
Annexed to the abbey complex at San Fruttuoso, this is just the place to sample fish specialities, shellfish and lobster straight from the lobsterpots anchored in the bay.

Ristorante La Cucina di Nonna Nina
Tel: 0185 773835
In nearby San Rocco,an absolute "must" for anyone who wants to encounter authentic Ligurian specialities like stuffed anchovies and "zembi" al pesto (a sort of basil ravioli stuffed with pesto and served with a light tomato sauce).