The Italian Riviera monastery dedicated to pleasure

Who said La Dolce Vita couldn't extend to Benedictine monks?

Arriving by ferry from Portofino on the famed Italian Riviera, you're gobsmacked into submission by the sight of San Fruttuosa monastery - probably the only monastery in the world built directly on the beach.

After you mutter, 'lucky buggers' you get off your ferry and stroll through the pine and oak glades of the Parco Naturale Regionale de Portofino. Within 5 minutes you're peering through the arched windows at this stretch of emerald sea cosseted in a cove no more than 100 meters wide - pretty much the length of the monastery. A sight that could literally convert you.

You then learn of the real secret jewel of the monastery. But you need to work a little to get to it. Sunk 15 metres below water level in the centre of the cove, a short swim from shore, lies a huge bronze statue called the Christ of the Abyss. Take care when the water's choppy but it's a sight to behold, whatever your persuasion. Plunged to its watery resting place a few decades ago, and poignantly created after a tragic drowning, you can pay a few euros to a guy in a glass bottom boat in high season to take you out to view.

Ferries run from Portofino to San Fruttuosa from March to November and you can easily link boat trips up the Ligurian coastline lined with olive groves and craggy coves. Well worth the 15 or so euros return trip.