Frolicking with the Beautiful People on the Italian Riviera

Portofino is a fine port on the Italian Riviera. The Beautiful People are attracted to Portofino like legislators to dirty money. The castle overlooking the port is crammed with pictures of the famous singers, movie stars and sex symbols who flocked here in the 50s to enjoy their wealth. One thing you notice immediately: sex symbols back then had more flesh--way more.

We get there on a train that ambles across the Riviera, clacking tunnel-to-tunnel to the resort town of Santa Margarita, from which we'll take a bus to Portofino. We've snagged a seat on an air conditioned rail car so wonderfully equipped that people have to ask us "is this really a second class car?" Eventually a well-baked beach woman and her entourage take seats across the aisle from us. She's broiled herself to the ruddy, russet hue of an Idaho spud. Trouble is, the color of her skin and the color of her burnt lips seem to match--she's had to outline them in an even darker brown so you know where they start. The beautiful people have more to do than you and I--and often look sillier afterwords.

Ms. Potato slaps the seat in front of me. A male friend (platonic--without doubt) plunks down in it sidesaddle. Eventually he takes out one of those Italian thong-like bathing suit objects, crams his fist into the crotch to give us the full, filled-out effect of them, and exclaims, "Bella, no?" Yes, the yellow daisies stand out beautifully, mounded on a satiny purple background. Bella indeed.

You don't get this sort of cultural insight driving around in your air conditioned, turbo diesel car, believe me.

See some Portofino Pictures from Italy for Visitors

_{Picture of Portofino, Italy © 2006 by James Martin, licensed to About.}