Advertisement
Published: July 18th 2017
Edit Blog Post
Geo: 44.4071, 8.93399
We're traveling green these days. We've moved around by plane, train, tram, bike, motorcycle, bus, subway and foot. The only modes of transportation missing are car and horse carriage and we don't have plans for using either! As we were entering Italy and sitting in a café in Ventimiglia we realized that Italy is truly noted for its' delicate pastries. The ones we are enjoying right now are delicious with light flaky crust and a custard filling. The hot chocolate is a little different. It's the consistency of hot, chocolate pudding. It had to be eaten with a spoon but had a great taste!
We arrived in Genoa and caught a bus to our hotel. Of course several blocks of walking were included and stopping a young couple to ask for directions. They spoke both Italian and English. We had come to far down the street because for some reason there are two addresses on the buildings. They walked us back to the correct place. It was very nice of them to go out of their way. Walking the several blocks was not an issue either because their was plenty to look at. We passed shop after shop selling clothes,
shoes, books, coffee, and drinks.
After dropping our bags off we went on one of the walking tours that had been recommended at the train station. We visited the birthplace of Christopher Columbus . His original home was bombed in 1684 and was rebuilt in the late 17th and early 18th century. It is only open on the weekends for tours inside.
Continuing our walking tour we stopped to see the Palazzo Ducale which had been the seat of the Republic for centuries. It is now the cultural hub of Genoa. San Lorenzo Cathedral was not far away and it too was not open to visitors. There were many people sitting on the steps enjoying an ice cream snack though. Before reaching Old Town we stopped at the Palazzo San Giorgio to admire the fresco of Saint George slaying the dragon which adorns the façade.
The Porto Antico or Old Port was our next stop. There were many boats docked here but we couldn't help but notice that the water was no longer the beautiful shades of blue. It looked brown. The boats were not of the magnitude of those in Marseille, Nice or Monaco. The final destination in this walking tour
was Via del Campo where many of the facades in this lane have been restored to their former glory. In this lane there is also a column in memory of Giulio Cesare Vacchero who was accused of conspiring against the Republic of Genoa and beheaded.
Miles from our hotel , on Settembre in the center of Genoa, we took a bus to our neighborhood where we stopped for a pizza and people watching. It's interesting to watch the locals. Many are carrying their retail purchases in one hand and a motorcycle helmet in the other.
Tomorrow we plan the visit Cinque Terre which is the Italian equivalent of the French Riviera so stay tuned.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.48s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 11; qc: 27; dbt: 0.0438s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Amy cabe
non-member comment
Can you bring us some of those pastries?