Genova's harbour area is the perfect destination for a weekend trip away with the whole family...
If you like the idea
of a weekend getaway, especially somewhere that will also appeal to young children, then Genova comes highly recommended by CI’S Nicola
Burazzi who took his daughter on a weekend trip to see the aquarium, the
largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. The journey is a good 3-4 hours drive from
Cortona (275kms), but in Nicola’s opinion well worth the effort.
Genova is Italy's
leading port, with a long history of maritime power that dates back to the 10th
century. The riches that flowed into the city in the 16th and 17th centuries
still show in the marble palaces that earned it the nickname of La Superba. These
old noble palaces – found along a series of side streets known as the via dei
Rolli - are both numerous and splendid and are the city's most important
tourist attractions and as such are a UNESCO world heritage site.
via dei Rolli - 1
via dei Rolli - 2
via dei Rolli 3
Many of Genova’s most
popular tourist attractions are at the harbour. The aquarium is part of a
massive waterfront ‘Edutainment’ centre that was built in 1992 to celebrate the
500th anniversary of the voyage of Genova’s native son Christopher Columbus.
The aquarium has marine animals of all kinds
and houses them in largely natural environments with lots of information and
displays to fascinate young minds.
There is also a
maritime museum in the centre where one can find inter-active exhibits again,
largely designed to entertain, but also educate children.
Boccadasse which Nicola also visited, is an old and picturesque fishing village
and a very quaint seaside enclave of
pastel buildings around a shingle beach with plenty of restaurants from whose
terraces you can enjoy the sea view.
Baccadasse 2
Boccadasse 3
Apparently, they also have an excellent
focaccia in Genova which was highly merited by both Nicola and his daughter!
Nicola Burazzi, 30/12/2021 12:21:02
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