RAPALLO APARTMENT
Rapallo, near Portofino, on the Italian Riviera
Sleeps 6+2 in 4 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, with maid service, sea views, in town (car is not needed), across from beach; rent with or without private yacht
Map | More Photos | Daytrip Idea: An Excursion to Cinqueterre

The Italian Riviera offers splendid natural beauty, a temperate climate and cultural, historical and recreational interest. Rapallo is at the start of the road that leads to Portofino. This is an ideal base for exploring the entire coast, with its seaside villages, mountains, beaches and sea. Seaside activity during the summer months can mean slow traffic, but you can stay here with or without a car. Trains on the main rail line from Torino to Rome stop in Rapallo, and the apartment is a five-minute walk from the train station. Travel by rail to Rome (5 hrs), Milan (2 hrs) or Genoa (30 min), on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites because of its numerous wonderful palazzi.

Or, explore the coastline on your own skippered yacht! The apartment is owned by a couple from Milan who also own a saliing boat (the skipper is the husband of the apartment's housekeeper). You can rent the apartment alone or with the yacht for either two or five days. The boat is available for day trips, lunch excursions to Portofino or for overnight trips. It is 14 meters long and has a sitting room, galley, two bathrooms, and beds for up to six, plus the skipper. There are two forward bunks and two beds (each ¾ the normal double width) that share the sitting room space. Sleeping is comfortable for four or very cozy for six. The skipper will be happy to take you to the lovely Cinqueterre, or to any of the inviting seaside villages and private, hidden swimming coves, many of which are inaccessible except by sea. Of course, the skipper's judgment will prevail in case of inclement weather. In low season, the boat is not available, although you may be able to engage the skipper on a per-trip basis.

The apartment is spacious (180 sq. meters) and old-fashioned. It is located the third floor (no elevator) of a building that is on the harbor, with beautiful views of the sea and of Portofino. It has spacious rooms with high ceilings and polished Venetian marble floors. The living room and large dining room offer lovely views of the sea. Best of all is the splendid terrace, with a large awning to provide shade. The kitchen is a bit old-fashioned but has a dishwasher and washing machine.

There are three bedrooms — two doubles (one with sea view) and one twin — plus an extra room with twin beds; but the apartment is really best for six people. There are two bathrooms, one with an old-fashioned tub and one with a nice marble shower.

The apartment has a telephone, and a computer with unlimited broadband Internet access is available for guests' use.

But you should be aware that the apartment is on a busy coastal road that can be noisy, especially in July and August, and especially so in the back bedroom. The Rapallo Apartment is definitely not for light sleepers. On the other hand, guests who have stayed here have been delighted to be right in the middle of the action of Rapallo.

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