Cruise Collection - Escale a Portofino

Do you remember when this fragrance came out back in 2008? I was immediately seduced. First of all the ad campaign: so classy, so Fifities...On the left, a black and white picture depicting a sophisitcated lady in summer outfit, wearing a huge hat seated outside on a marble staircase. On the other side, a full blossoming garden in front of the sea. Wow.... It was about time seeing something so elegant. And then the bottle: so classy, tall and styled but sexy at the same time, with this typical Dior cannetage but rounded somewhat, sensual: you felt like you wanted to hold the bottle in your hand all day. And the the frag...in the very moment i tried it, I fell in love on the spot. Fresh like bergamot, citrusy like a splash of tangerine and cedar, a delicate orange blossom ...just a hint of bitter almond at the begining that makes it different and deeper compared to the many resembling eaux fraiches on the market. White flowers like honeysuckle, the crisp part led by bergamot being predominant in all the developping stages of the fragrance. The dry down is again very fresh, some grapefruit and a musky creamy cedar. Smells like a mediterranean posh place in the Fifties. Smells like you would love to smell in summer: on holidays and always refreshed! My only negative is the poor staying power. You have to reapply often (but a decant in a purse spray bottle will do). In any case a staple in my collection.

I really wanted this perfume for quite a while before finally buying it. I remember when I first tested it, I didn't pay much attention to this fragrance (I'm not a huge fan of Dior perfumes). Luckily, I did sampled it on my skin, rather then on paper, as I usually do. So, I got home, took a shower and started reading. After a while, I realized an alluring, sexy scent was all around me. It took me some time to remember which perfume was on that specific patch of skin ( I sampled quite a few that day :D ). First burst is very citrussy. If you can survive it for a while (a maximum of 15 minutes), you're in for a surprise: very feminine and perfumed flowers. I do get the scent of honeysuckle, rather then orange blossom. And this note lasts, and lasts, and is quite amazing. Now, for the base notes, woody, somewhat powdery, but nothing out of the ordinary, thou I have to say, it's the appropriate ending for such a fabulous fragrance. As for the time and place to wear this, well, it's true, I goes well with a warm temperature, but now, in my country, it's freezing cold, and I have to say it also goes well with this weather (I sprayed a few drops on my synthetic fur coat, and whenever I go out this scent surrounds me and keeps me warm and shiny). Uplifting, fresh, so feminine!

I bought two 75ml bottles of Escale a Portofino for $30 each at My Chemist. When I tested it the male teenager serving me was horrified by the sharp citrus opening and directed me to Gucci Flora, which he had just given his girlfriend. I laughed and told him to give me two bottles of the Portofino. He looked even more horrified –‘are you serious?’ I finally eased his fears by asking for a bottle of Gucci Gucci as well. Still, he was shaking his head all the way to the cash register. This is a lovely and refreshing eau de cologne type scent – very similar to 4711 but more rounded, sweet and woody. Instead of lasting 15 minutes like 4711, I get all of two hours from it. How sad. But I solved the problem of longevity when I realised it was fabulous, sprayed liberally, after a cold shower on a hot night before going to bed. I feel so cool and fresh in a cloud of bergamot and sweet orange blossom; it’s practically better than air-con. I drift off to sleep before the scent disappears - it’s my favourite eau for this purpose.

Recently I was at a department store looking to purchase something on impulse. I was sniffing away and then came across this very different EDT in a stylish bottle... Escale a Portofino has a very sharp, slightly bitter, bright scent. The dominant notes for me are most definitely citrus and cedar which gives it a somewhat Pinesol cleaner scent. Unfortunately on me the bitter almond note is unnoticeable. I noticed that many reviewers say that this could be unisex and I believe that is because it is not overly floral or sweet. However, for me it is too light and airy to be a man's scent. I love that it is not fussy or girly and that it is beautifully simple and chic. I can easily imagine a cool, elegant woman wearing this. This fragrance is perfect for daily use since it is so light. You literally can not spray on too much of it. It is not sensual enough to ever become my favorite fragrance in my collection but it is such a refreshing break from my other fragrances that I know I will keep coming back to it.

I fell in love with Escale A Portofino when I was working on a cruise ship. I was told that it was composed of notes from ingredients in the Portofino area, and this enchanted me. I spent as much time in Portofino sniffing as I did looking! And this is how this relatively simple, fresh fragrance has become a vacation in a bottle for me. Sure, there are plenty of gorgeous colognia types out there - 4711 and CK1 come to mind EAP has a unique and distinctive herbal story. My mother told me that cologne types could be worn over other fragrances to add freshness during the day for touch ups. EAP, however, is too distinctive to run in partnership, and must be worn solo. Which I do, particularly in the middle of a snowstorm, for my own enjoyment. I only have about an ounce left, and I'm metering it out over miserable days just to get a whiff of warm sun on my back and the ease of a wide brimmed hat. Cheers!

After my AAPamplelune let down I picked myself up and continued my quest for a summer citrus scent. I'm delving into the Eau de Colognes and this one caught my eye. Tried it on tester and skin today. On tester, clear bright citrus bordering on almost too much, with an edgy sharpness. Then there seems to be the addition of crisp linen to the equation and this combo goes on and on forever. On skin, it is similar in scent but much more subdued as it melts in and seems to become part or you. There's a fresh aura that envelopes you but doesn't seem to overpower (if used in moderation that is) It's actually pretty potent for an EDT. I think it probably could have used just a touch of vanilla in the drydown and it would be perfection. Many women may find it too sharp and masculine but I like it very much. Definately made for 100 degree weather!

I fell in love with this scent when I lived in Stockholm- I used to spritz it on my scarf in the wintertime at the fragrance counter at NK's- it helped me to gather my courage to deal with the hustle and bustle of the city and public transportation, not to mention the winter darkness- it was like a megadose of vitamin C, laced with an antidepressant! Not surprisingly, it smells wonderful in the summertime, too! Orange blossom, lemon and cypress are the prominent notes- it reminds me of Annick Goutal's eau de Hadrien, but I think this scent is a little less sharp and "pointy', if that makes sense- Oftentimes, people complain about citrus fragrances being too ephemeral- that said, I think that this scent will surprise you with its longevity- If you love citrus aromatics, you are gonna be enchanted-

To me, it smells of soap - Nesti Dante "Capri" variety, to be precise. Very fresh, very intensive, quite long lasting - all in all, a very pleasant fragrance, but I don't see myself spending my money on what is to me, almost literally, bottled geranium. (Alright, I do realise it is technically bergamot, but where I live, geranium is a part of life. Bergamot is a part of Earl Grey.) Edit/ Update: It definitely grows on me! I've recently been sick, and found myself using this after shower to feel fresh and better about myself. Got me out of bed in an instant:) As a lasting cologne scent, if that's your thing - priceless. Must be perfect for traveling! I'm definitely trying out other fragrances from the series, and consider buying this one.

Opening notes of Portofino are not entirely pleasant. Citrus peelings, cold and resembling to cleaning liquid. Like temporary blindness caused by sun eclipse. I do hope you return to smell your skin few moments after. There are million shades of yellow and green, more than you could imagine. Pure brightness of citrus and woods. To me Portofino evokes bell ring. Thick crystal melody on seaside cathedral. Kind of a frequency that makes bird fly and accidental passenger to stop and enjoy. Portofino is similar (very) to Cristalle eau Vert. The first lasts longer and better radiates from skin. I personally love it and rate as second best in Escale group.

Love love it ... The best of the Cruise series imo ! Citrusy indeed, i'm surpised bergamot is the one and only citrus here , so i guess it's freshness comes also from other notes . Despite it's freshness and the citrus note , It's not sharp at all , it smells clean , but not like dishsoap or whatsoever . The musk is not very present (which is good because my skin doesn't like it). One of the best summer fragrnace EVER imo ! Really not a hype scent , but it's a good thing because i'm tired of those pink pepper / patchouli/bergamot combo which has been omnipresent in recent frags ! Like some other reviewers , i think it can fit to men too !

I liked it right from the start. So fresh but with a bit of spice, that juniperberry pushing through the beautiful citruses. So elegant, crisp yet juicy and not too dry. A female cologne. So often the unisex fragrances of this type veer too much onto the male side for me; not this one. This is a crisp, flawless white shirt on a woman with big sunglasses, Amalfi coast sunshine, aperitif before late lunch, sunlight falling onto flawless white tablecloth, flowers on the table and gorgeous italian food. Good sillage and great staying power on me, last ages. Perfect for summer and spring, too. Just a superbly elegant, expensive fragrance.

When you become a wine aficionado you train your pallet maybe with a rose work your way to appreciate a rich oak cabernet or zinn that you can stick a fork in. This is how I feel about woody notes in my frags. 2013ish: The first time I wore this fragrance I was sensitive to woody note. I didn’t wear it for years. 2022: Maybe the cedar note has mellowed out or I’m not that sensitive to wood notes. Wearing it again & enjoy it now. Its a stylish mature mellow citrus floral chyfre Gin & Tonic not Margarita. California Casual. Palazzo pants and Dior Saddlebag. The scent of orange blossoms carried on warm Santa Ana Winds in the fall.

I love it so much, yet it's such a disappointment... I just love the smell, I feel I'll never grow tired of it. And never will indeed, because it holds barely 30 minutes on my skin or clothes. When I smelled it in a shop I was so sure it was The One I immediately bought a bottle (almost €100 !!). What a disappointment to find out I'd have to spray myself every hour if I wanted the least bit of sillage... So I guess my quest for my Prince Charming of Perfumes is still not over. Pity. (especially after such an expensive buy)

Lemon on ice. A burst of citrus and the lemon is very prominent. Not sure why bergamot was voted for more times, the lemon is clearly stronger in this. Summery lemonade, very zesty and positive yet not childish. The distant faint conifer notes make it more "mature". A bit of cold aftershave too. I see why some say it has a lemon detergent note, but I think it`s one of the best and less "chemical" lemon notes out there. Definitely a unisex as most cold citrus fragrances.

Classy, effortless, open-airy brightness. THIS is what I wished when I bought Pure White Linen. The opening is a burst of energetic green citrus, very ò-de-lancome, and later the fragrance morphs into an embracing crystalline freshness, without a hint of sharpness. Beautiful almond. It's a hot day, you're strolling around, in a summery mediterranean pinewood, smelling the slightly aromatic atmosphere, and then you put your feet in a cold stream, relaxing, smiling.

Summer fragrance. Wears very well on hot days and nights. Escale à Portofino reminded me a bit Dior Homme Cologne in 2013, but Portofino seems to be better behaved and gentle. The longevity was 4 hours on my skin and the silage is very discreet. The bottle is beautiful and elegant. Although it is female, a man can use quietly. By research that seems to be the best of the Cruise collection. I liked it a lot. You should try the skin before buying. Thumbs up.

Still my all-time favorite, but I'm still pissed at the 30mn longevity for such a pricey bottle. Yet I found that it can pleasantly be layered with Ellena's "Eau parfumée au thé vert" (Bulgari), thus allowing to use a bit less of this expensive scent and re-apply only once or twice during the day (Ellena's has much better longevity, but lacks a bit of acidity on its own for my taste. What can I say I just love citrus so much...)

This has been my go-to fragrance for the summer. Light and fresh with lots of citrus and orange blossom. This is the type of fragrance I imagine should be kept in the powder room for everyone (men and women) to spritz on hot days and freshen up, rather than the one that is for you and you alone. Sadly, the staying power is nil on me. It's imperceptible to me in 15 minutes. But it is a lovely scent and easy to wear on hot days.

One of the best, maybe the best 4711 cologne style perfumes i know of. Smells so incredibly natural like high quality ingredients and radiates beautifully but subtly, has just the right amount of sweetness for a summer's day. It's super different on skin and on paper like it needs the body heat to react like it does, please try it on your forearm once

Very sparkling, fresh and clean. It's light but lasting power is decent. A great everyday perfume. It DOES seem to remind me of the beach. I mean, one sniff and I can totally imagine myself sitting by the sea, smelling the salt and enjoying the breeze. OOOOOOOOh! I can't wait for THAT! The bottle is also lovely, has a real old-fashioned feel to it.