After arriving from Milan in Genoa by InterCity train, I wished I’d counted the many tunnels we’d gone though. But soon, my attention was shifted to the mess on the narrow street Google maps were telling me to pass through. ‘What have I gone myself into’ I thought, almost regretting going. I was tired, hungry (or rather hangry) and not amazed by the place I chose for the family vacation.
I can’t say I did a complete 1-80. But having spent there a few days, I can say that I see some of the appeal and I also discovered some things I love about the place.
I found out one important thing about myself – if I’m staying there overnight, there’s no way I’ll try to explore the place the day I get there. All I crave is food and a bed, and, ideally, quiet neighbours. And if possible, don’t wake me up early. You don’t want to hang out with that person the whole day.
So, on the actual first day of exploring, I decided to use a Museum Card, which allows you to visit as many museums in 24 hours as you dare only for 16€/person (you can online buy it online and you have to pay an extra fee of 1€, but the official price is 15€). The first museum I wanted to go was located in the Cathedral of San Lorenzo; however, we couldn’t get in due to the Italian heat and our choice of clothes – sacrifices had to be made. But luckily, we could still see the cathedral from inside and it was beautiful and a little bit reminiscent of the one in Siena with its black and white stripes.
The next stop was successful – we visited a group of museums of Strada Nuova, which consisted of three houses, or rather palaces and maaany frescoes, which I naturally loved. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rightly so with its amazing views and important original artefacts including Paganini’s violins. However, it was tiring. It seems I haven’t learnt from my mistakes, and I still have a tendency to overdo it. Let me prove it to you.
The afternoon plan was following:
Columbus’ house – DON’T BOTHER. The lady tried to look for our reservation for longer than the tour itself took. You don’t have that much to see in two empty rooms after all.
Museum of Ligustica Academy of Fine Arts – this was a nice, smaller gallery with even newer pieces, but it took us ages to find it.
National Galleries of Palazzo Spinola – because apparently we hadn’t seen enough paintings that day. Another huge museum, but this one had various exhibitions, including historical kitchen, ceramics and furniture. And, indeed, frecoes!
Yes, this was the first day and yes, it did leave me tired for the rest of the trip. But we got our money’s worth.
The second day was a bit more relaxed, it just had to be. We walked to the free beach – a tiny and dirty area of sand, but I had an incredible book with me that I couldn’t put down, so I didn’t really care that much. What did surprise me though, was that when I walked into the sea (with my book in hand, reading, of course), it got deep really quickly. Thinking about it, it does make sense, since Genoa is a huge port and the sea has to be quite deep for the ships to get in, but still, it’s not your usual beach.
After lunch and finishing my book, we stayed at the hotel thinking what to do next, as it was about to rain. But we still had one more thing on our bucket list – the aquarium. One of the biggest in Europe (at least when it comes to the diversity of species) and a little bit pricy if you don’t book in advance – which we absolutely did not. But you know, they had a jellyfish room with many different kinds of jellyfish (even tiny baby jellyfish!) and a Nemo aquarium, so I was satisfied. On top of that, we could see playful dolphins being teased by a girl playing with a ball outside of the water they really wanted to join in), seals, tired sharks and curious penguins, so you can’t really complain.
What I did complain about was the walk in the rain (in my crocs) back to the hotel. We expected it, but I still hoped…
And what is my top favourite, the reason I would consider going back? Bookstores! They’re everywhere. You can’t cross a street without seeing a stand selling second-hand books – we love to see the sustainability. Just make sure you can read Italian, otherwise it might not be worth the hype.
And finally, some tips and tricks:
Don’t go through the street if you don’t feel safe. In Genoa, you can most likely take the next one and get to the same place somehow. Google Maps might not know certain areas that well and perhaps, possibly, some of them may be little, narrow streets were certain ladies have their business and it may not be the vibe you’re going for on a family vacation.
Use Too good to go (wherever you can!). I love this app. Not only are you fighting food waste, but also getting restaurant food for a very low price. And you never know what you get, which is the kind of risk I enjoy.
