Portofino. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful place. The name is thought to be derived from a reference made to the area by Pliny the Elder, who talked of it as Portus Delphini, or the Port of Dolphins. He was no doubt referring to the unusually large number of dolphins that frequented the waters of this tranquil bay.

Today, Portofino is a dream destination for the world and its stunning scenic beauty, coupled with a rare serenity, attracts the rich and the famous.

This gem of a town on the Italian Riviera is blessed with a natural harbor that made it important even in the times of ancient Rome. Portofino was initially a fishing hamlet and a safe harbor for sailing ships. Though there are a couple of fishing boats still to be seen, its harbor is, for the most part, populated now by swank yachts flying every imaginable flag.

It was the English who first “discovered” Portofino’s charms, and the rest of the world was quick to follow where they led. The people of the town soon realized that their hometown held a special attraction to visitors from places far beyond its shores, and have been nurturing these attractions, seeing that they are not want only destroyed in the name of commercialism, while simultaneously catering to the comforts of the guests.

As a result, you could bump into a Hollywood matinee idol on the high street or rub shoulders with someone on the Forbes list as you sip your drink at one of the town’s many bars.

The bay itself is a wonderful sight for a tourist jaded by bright lights and city smog. An arc of land embraces calm water. The brilliant blue of the Mediterranean is set off by the greens of the eucalyptus, olive, pine and juniper covering the mountain slopes that fall down to the bay. The blue and the green in turn form a wonderful foil for little houses in pastel shades which dot the waterfront.

All around the arc, along the quay and the pier, there are shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars. Many cafes have canopied porches from which tourists can take in their fill of the bay. These establishments are classy places, catering to deep pockets.

From the 1950s on, Portofino has been increasing in importance as a tourist destination, and also as a venue for various special events. Since 1995 Portofino is member of the "Jewels of European Tourism" Club, a group of elite European tourist destinations of unquestioned cultural and environmental interest.