Lets Go To Genoa

I went to Genoa once. I was on a Regent Seven Seas Voyager cruise that was supposed to go to  Portofino, one place I have always wanted to visit. I say always wanted to because the ship couldn’t dock because of the swell on the sea and we went to Genoa instead !

So is there more to Genoa? Yes of course there is. The capital of the Ligurian region of northwest Italy it was recently the subject of an article in the Telegraph calling it ” Italy`s most underrated city”. No beaches or pretty mountains here, but history there is along with beautiful old buildings and of course its port. At the end of the day it is a place steeped in maritime history.

So get off your cruise ship and take a mile or so walk, or a 10 minute taxi ride into the Old Town, It will seem like a battle getting there, with the Italian traffic and numerous flyovers, but it will be worth it.

Head to Piazza Caricamento to see the Palazzo San Giorgio, the offices of the Genoa Port Authority. This used to be a jail and was then the place where Marco Polo was held in 1298. The city is also the birthplace of Columbus who set  sail from the Old Port to discover the new world. Today it is an area full of bars & restaurants, a lovely place to have lunch and watch the world go by.

Take a boat trip around the harbour or go shopping for souvenirs on the Via San Luca, more like an alleyway with a maze of shops. Or, if art is your thing, try Via Garibaldi or Via Roma for designer fashion.

There is also an Art Museum, the Palazzo Rosso and may more buildings dating back to the cities heydays. Don`t forget the Cathedral and if you have time, the Bigo – a panoramic lift modelled on a ships crane that will give you stunning views of the city and harbour.

Yes Genoa is well worth a visit!