Amy
100+ Posts
Interesting article on Genoa. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/25/...p-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0
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Article--Genoa Isn’t Rome or Florence. That’s Part of Its Charm
- Thread starter Amy
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Alpinista
500+ Posts
My wife's grandmother was from Genoa and even she never wanted to go back. I always feel as if I'm about to be crushed (cars, people, noise) when I'm in Genoa. My wife's Genoese cousins refuse to let us park near their apartment without them coming down to the street to verify that our car is not in any of the mysterious "can't park here" zones -- some of which are determined by civil code; some of which by people/businesses who are certain that they, and only they, can park in a particular spot. When our kids were little, the aquarium was a nice spot -- sorry to disagree with the author and/or other lovers of the city, but once you've seen the fish, you're OK to move on somewhere else ;-)
A vote for Genoa...at least for the tourist attractions. A city with a split personality ("rough" harbor front area and impressive Renaissance palazzi) , excellent (usually empty) museums and delicious food. The first time we stayed there (in the late 1990s), my wife found it a bit ominous but on recent visits, she changed her opinion.
Ian Sutton
1000+ Posts
Mixed feelings here.
Via XX Settembre is a fine & stylish shopping street, the covered market is fantastic for food (though the presence of an equine butcher might put some people off). Some very good in the city from land and sea. A couple of good wine bars in the old town on the way down to the harbour. Not in thrall to tourism, though the harbour area looked like it might be heading that way, but the rest of the city is pleasingly normal.
On the down-side, a definite 'edgy' feel on a couple of the streets in the old town - perhaps misplaced? The aquarium was ok, but I'm not a great fan of zoos (of land or sea). Fundamentally I couldn't see myself jumping for a return, in the same way that Torino (especially) and Bologna call me back, but I'd go back there in preference to Milano.
Via XX Settembre is a fine & stylish shopping street, the covered market is fantastic for food (though the presence of an equine butcher might put some people off). Some very good in the city from land and sea. A couple of good wine bars in the old town on the way down to the harbour. Not in thrall to tourism, though the harbour area looked like it might be heading that way, but the rest of the city is pleasingly normal.
On the down-side, a definite 'edgy' feel on a couple of the streets in the old town - perhaps misplaced? The aquarium was ok, but I'm not a great fan of zoos (of land or sea). Fundamentally I couldn't see myself jumping for a return, in the same way that Torino (especially) and Bologna call me back, but I'd go back there in preference to Milano.
I've never been to Rome or Florence, but I've visited Genoa twice. It definitely calls you back, especially if you've walked its streets and alleys. Probably because indeed its physical layout and diverse aspects do not "engrave" themselves easily in the tourist mindset. The city keeps your mind busy...
There's a nice Italian song by a Piemontese singer, Paolo Conte, called "Genova per Noi" (Genoa for us) - which describes the special attraction-repulsion that the Piemontese have for the city.
https://everything2.com/user/baffo/writeups/Genova+per+noi
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah1hiqgCDZI
There's a nice Italian song by a Piemontese singer, Paolo Conte, called "Genova per Noi" (Genoa for us) - which describes the special attraction-repulsion that the Piemontese have for the city.
https://everything2.com/user/baffo/writeups/Genova+per+noi
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Rome Addict
100+ Posts
Probably one of the most accessible cities in Italy if not Europe. Mobility scooters for rent, cutaway curbs where no parking is actually enforced. We went on a quick overnight and I am definitely going back! Great history.