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THE CITY OF GENOA

Genoa (in Italian, Genova), the main city of Liguria, stretches along the bay with the same name from Voltri to the west as far as Nervi to the east, while the hinterland area takes in the lower parts of the Polcevera
and Bisagno valleys.

LIGURIA

Liguria is a narrow strip of land, enclosed between the sea and the Alps and the Apennines Mountains; it is a winding
arched extension from Ventimiglia to La Spezia and it is among of the smallest regions in Italy.

FLAVOURS

Ligurian cuisine is based on traditional countryside recipes and seafood recipes. Most famous is the typical Focaccia. Most courses are seasoned with typical olive oil. But the real treat of Liguria is Pesto.

THE CITY OF GENOA

The original nucleus of the city, which already existed in pre-Roman times, grew around the port, a natural inlet that has always been a place of thriving traffic and business exchanges. Its antique heart, the largest medieval historical centre in Europe, is crossed by a tight network of lanes, where the multicultural soul that has always characterised the city history gathers. A visit to the Palazzi dei Rolli, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, cannot be missed: sumptuous dwellings that bring back a little of the atmosphere that existed in Genoa between the 16th and 17th centuries.

Modern life is just a few steps away, in the places that were restored and renovated – the Expo with the Aquarium, via San Lorenzo, Palazzo Ducale, and the splendid via Garibaldi that is full of museums. The fascination of the city can also be found from Nervi to Voltri, independent municipalities from the twenties, where you can find villas surrounded by nineteenth century parks, suggestive sea walks, small and large museums.

What to See in Genoa
Genoa is a town rich in contrasts, you only need a few steps to find yourself immersed in its glorious ancient past or walking on the path of new daring symbols of a town facing the future. If you get to Genoa from the sea, the impact is spectacular. The town shows its visitors all its grandeur. Lying on the coast, it stretches out, climbing the hills and offering a dramatic view.

The Old Port holds both the old and new town in a harmony of amazing shapes and colours. It preserves the old symbols, like the Lighthouse and the marvellous perspective of the ancient Palaces of Ripa Maris, as well as the bold and modern ones like the Bigo and the Glass Ball by Renzo Piano, the Aquarium, I Magazzini del Cotone and the Galata Sea Museum, to mention just a few.

The Historic Centre has returned to the splendour of the past, after being neglected for so long. What, years ago, was run down, today shines radiant, renovated and back to life. Palazzo Ducale, the Palazzi dei Rolli, which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, via Garibaldi “Strada Nuova”. Today the visitors really see a town that has regained its nickname and title: “La Superba” (“The Superb”).

We can’t forget the numerous Ancient Villas set in charming and spectacular parks: from Villa Pallavicini in Pegli with its collection of romantic camellias to the Parks in Nervi with their luxuriant rose garden. Yes, that’s because Genoa, a seaside town is also a town of gardens and parks spreading up to the mountains, where the view overlooking the town and the horizon is simply fantastic: here you can learn about and visit the Forts, the most outstanding being Forte Sperone, where many summer performances are held.

Genoa offers tours for everyone: it gives you the chance to go on real excursions experiencing the wildlife, plunging back into history; “diving” in the history of the town while you walk through the labyrinth of the Historic Centre, discovering real treasures such as millenary churches and cloisters.

Even the climbs uphill from the sea, the old “crêuze”, can be the destination of enchanting tours. Genoa, the town of famous people from Cristoforo Colombo to Giuseppe Mazzini, from Nicolò Paganini to Fabrizio De André, Renzo Piano and Lele Luzzati; it really is the town of many wonders, a place where you’ll enjoy an extremely pleasant stay!

LIGURIA

It is limited in size, but not in the variety of its vegetation and wildlife which is amongst the most diversified and interesting in Italy. The coast-line, which is geographically divided between the western Riviera (Riviera di Ponente) and the eastern Riviera (Riviera di Levante) at the sides of the important centre of Genoa, from the scenic point of view is characterized by an alternating series of magnificent high coast-lines and flat, sandy coast-lines, whilst in the interior the steep hills meet up with the Apennines peaks.

In addition to offering a wealth of cultural attractions, Liguria is a fascinating destination for tourists, with its scenic vantage points, sea promenades, aristocratic villas and of course the Riviera to the east and west, both easy to reach: Porto Venere and Le Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), the Paradiso and Tigullio gulfs, Portofino and Camogli to the east and Alassio, Sanremo, Bordighera to the west.

The small villages and large centres that face the Golfo Paradiso, with a sea front that is recognised throughout the world because of its extraordinary beauty, are intense and multiform blotches of colour clinging to the rocks. The narrow, high and very colourful fishermen’s houses make the coastline unique. Along this stretch of coast small beaches alternate with rocks covered by trees and maquis shrubland. A great marine tradition is continued in the areas facing the coastline, above all in Camogli: its characteristic port contains numerous “gozzi” (small fishing boats) with their nets spread out under the sun, and you will find the Marine Museum in its centre.

FLAVOURS

Liguria boasts some of the best food in Italy, including "Pasta al Pesto", “Focaccia" and “Farinata".
Because Liguria is on the sea coast, seafood is a must, but the region is also a mountainous one with mild climate: typical are grapes, olive, basil, and crop cultivation dedicated to herds.
Most famous is the classic “Focaccia", a flattened bread like pizza, but without tomato sauce, which can be plain or flavored with onions or olives, or filled with cheese (the latter typical from Recco). It is an excellent street food.

Alike, there are a lot of simple but tasty courses in Liguria; among others, “Farinata", made from chickpea flour and served hot, or “Minestrone", a soup of vegetables and local herbs. Another one is "Ravioli alla genovese", stuffed with veal, eggs, grated bread and Parmesan cheese, chard, nutmeg powder and... more. In Liguria’s rustic cuisine, no part of anything would go to waste.
Other rustic courses are "Torta Pasqualina”, a savory cake served at Easter time; "Stoccafisso Accomodato”, stockfish prepared with potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, olives and pine nuts in a herbs and anchovy seasoned white wine and tomato sauce; "Pansotti con salsa di noci", fresh pasta shaped like pockets of dough filled with ricotta cheese and a seasoning blend called “preboggion", consisting of borage, chervil, chicory and herbs. This is served with a walnut sauce and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. But the real treat of Liguria is Pesto alla Genovese!
Pesto is a sauce used with pasta, made by basil, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, Sardinian and Parmesan cheese. The best way to eat Pesto is with “Trenette”, a narrow dry pasta, which is boiled together with green beans and potatoes.

Ligurian cuisine is also well known for stuffed tarts, or “torte", including a sweet chestnut and pine nut tart called “Castagnaccio". Other famous sweets include Christmas’s special “Pandolce", flower shaped biscuits called “Canestrelli", and raisin and apple fritters called “Frisceu” (of which also a savoury variant exists).