Why We Love: Camogli, Italy

High summer, less crowds and Italian craftsmanship on the Italian Riviera

Note: In the spirit of enjoying high summer, this will be the last post in August—we’ll be back the first week of September!

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When it comes to the glittering Ligurian Coast, Portofino and the Cinque Terre are the two most famous—and these days, the most hideously over-touristed—destinations on the collective tourist radar. In Portofino, the daily influx of tourism is so overwhelming that the mayor introduced a hefty fine last summer for anyone who stops for a selfie in a few of its most beautiful, iconic locations (thank you, Instagram). But wait, a secret: Tucked into the the same sun-drenched, jewel-toned coastline, only 30 minutes around the Peninsula of Portofino, there’s a summer escape that Italians have kept mostly to themselves. Perhaps Camogli, which means “house of wives” for the days when the women protected their town from pirates while their fishermen-husbands were out at sea, still holds some kind of lingering spell protecting it from intruders. If you find yourself drawn to this irresistible tangle of pretty pink, ochre and tangerine palazzi right on the sea, make sure to tread lightly.