In and Around Genoa
Genoa is famous as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, but that’s just the beginning of its nautical heritage. There’s evidence of Greek occupation of the area during the 5th and 6th century B.C., but it’s believed that the Etruscans were probably availing themselves of Genoa’s wonderful harbor even before then.
Genoa reached it cultural and political zenith in the 16th century, but the Genoa of today is nothing to sneeze at. There’s a thriving industrial port here, a fantastic maritime museum, a very impressive aquarium, and the largest medieval quarter in Europe. If you’re jaded enough to tire of strolling ancient streets where elderly women still play the accordion for change, or have had your fill of sidewalk trattoria’s that offer fantastic troffiette and people watching, catch a train.
Genoa is smack dab in the middle of the Italian Riviera, with San Remo and the border of France at one end, and the ship building center of La Spezia at the other. In between are Rapallo, Portofino, Ventimiglia, Santa Margherita Ligure and the famous cliffside villages of Cinque Terre.
