Genoa great place to go?
SO you’ve roamed the ruins of Rome, found Florence’s hidden treasures and
cruised the countless canals of Venice.
But there’s another Italian gem that should be on everyone’s holiday wishlist
— the beautiful city of Genoa.
Positioned on northern Italy’s west coast, it’s often overlooked in favour of
the country’s more famous destinations.
But it has all the breath-taking sights you’d expect from an Italian city —
without being swamped by sightseers.
Its winding lanes give a glimpse of real Italian life as you pass medieval
treasures lining the streets.
Delicate pastel-coloured frescoes decorate the city’s ancient buildings and
Genoa’s stunning Strade Nuove — three streets lined with dozens of palaces —
have been named a Unesco World Heritage site.
The beautiful buildings, called Palazzi dei Rolli in Italian, once housed the
city’s most important families and were a model of elegant living for the
rest of Europe.
The city has guided tours of the palazzi, as well as the popular Rolli days,
where some buildings normally closed to visitors open their doors.
Officials have also created a register of historic shops scattered throughout
the city, each carefully preserved to keep its character and traditions.
Genoa is also home of two of Italy’s most famous food exports — pesto and
focaccia.
And the bright green basil sauce and olive oil bread here are a million miles
away from the UK versions.
The best place to try genuine Genovese pesto is at the Il Pesto Di Pra basil
farm, where it’s served with the local troife pasta and octopus carpaccio.
Genoa’s culinary traditions means there’s no shortage of places to eat.
The Michelin-starred The Cook restaurant is the ideal place to spoil yourself.
Near the city’s bustling port is the Ristorante Al Veliero which boasts a
great selection of local specialities, including ravioli.
It’s perfect for a visit to two of the city’s main attractions — the aquarium
and the museum of the sea.
Genoa is proud of its maritime history — explorer Christopher Columbus came
from there — and every year the city competes against the other former
maritime republics of Amalfi, Pisa and Venice in a regatta. The contest
begins with a parade and this year was Genoa’s turn.
We stayed in the five-star Hotel Melia, in the heart of the city and the
perfect base to explore the historic old town and the harbour.
Genoa might not be as well-known as some of Italy’s other top destinations,
but it deserves a place on anyone’s must-see list.