Genoa is the nearest airport; the last stretch is by car, bus or boat.
Arriving
Fly into Genoa. Portofino is roughly 45 minutes to an hour away by car.
By train
Take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure–Portofino, then the bus, a taxi or a ferry for the last few kilometres.
Where to stay
Belmond Hotel Splendido or Splendido Mare in Portofino, or a hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure.
Driving
Portofino has one car park at the entrance to the village, and it fills early. Leave the car behind.
A few thoughtful details
Life on the promontory
Hills, boats and a few practical things.
Three languages
The ceremony is in English, Italian and Bulgarian. Nobody will miss a word.
The castle path
Steep and cobbled. Flat shoes, and tell us if you'd like help.
Sea breeze
September evenings on the terrace can be breezy. Bring a wrap.
Children
Welcome all weekend; there will be a sitter at the Splendido during dinner.
What to wear
Coastal formal
Linen suits and long dresses in sea greys, pearl and tide blues. Flat shoes for the castle path.
Wedding day
Coastal formal.
Welcome aperitivo
Smart casual.
Boat day
Swimwear, linen and a hat.
With love
Your presence is the gift
If you would like to give something, we are restoring a fisherman's house on the Black Sea.
We are restoring an old fisherman's house in Sozopol, on the Bulgarian Black Sea, and hope to spend our first summer there. A contribution to blue shutters, a garden bench or a small boat would mean a great deal.
No gift needed. Travelling to be with us is more than enough.
Questions, answered
A little more detail
Everything guests often ask before a coastal wedding.
How do we reach the castle?
On foot from the Piazzetta, about 10 minutes uphill. We'll walk up together at 16:30.
What if it rains?
The ceremony moves into the Splendido and dinner stays there under cover.
Do we need a car?
No. Trains, taxis, ferries and our shuttles cover everything.
Can we swim?
Yes. The water is still warm in September; Sunday's boat day includes a swim stop.
Is it accessible?
The castle path is steep. Tell us what would help and we'll arrange it.
A glimpse of us
From Sofia to the sea
A few favourite moments, from the Black Sea to the Riviera.
At the table
Dinner at the Splendido
Open each course. You choose your main when you reply.
To begin
Crudo of Santa Margherita red prawns, or burrata with Ligurian olive oil
Pasta
Trofie with Genoese pesto, green beans and potato
Main courseChoose one
Sea bass baked in salt with lemon potatoes
Ligurian rabbit with olives and pine nuts
Artichoke and chard torta with herbsV
Dessert
Lemon and basil sorbet, and a wedding cake with fresh figsV
