It may not be a direct train, but Acqui Terme in Piemonte is a wonderful town. Lots of good restaurants, enotecas, shops, thermal spas, etc. Best place to stay is the fabulous Baur B&B...
Santa Margherita is a wonderful town, very glamorous and tempting. But if I was so close to Genova I would never trade off a day there; it would be like having the possibility to spend a ngiht in Paris and instead go to Disneyland. Try Genova, not so many tourist and maybe not so quaint but I'm sure it will surprise you.
You could consider Camogli, which is up the road from SML. Our guests prefer it hands down to SML, for its charm and authentic character. Camogli also puts you a bit closer to Genoa, which, as the last poster says, is a great, underrated city with lots to do.
All of these towns get busy in the season. But the strech from Santa Margherita Ligura to Portofino is one of the busiest - in fact we have had guests turned back three kilometers outside of Portofino because of lack of parking in Portofino...that happens, and all of those cars end up back in SML.
Take a look at Camogli with a day trip to Genoa. You will enjoy it!!
I stayed in Camogli for a few days a couple of years ago at cennobio dei dogi. a little pricey but very relaxing with a salt water pool overlooking the med. Not touristy and very scenic. Would return in a minute.
Posts: 299 | Location: falmouth , MA USA | Registered: 09 December 2003
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