greg

What area should I go?

I need to change a train at Genova Principe. Rather than just changing the train, I am thinking of doing a short stop over in Genova. I have about 5 hours. I already have accommodations before and after Genova so it has to be a short visit.

The Trenitalia says there is a deposito baggali at Genova Principe station.

Things I am interested in doing in the order of priority:

- Eat lunch serving local simple specialities. The train arrives around 1pm.
- Buy Ligurian kitchen items at one of these stores. I still need to check if they are still in business. The information is from a book published in 2006.
Butteghina Magica, Via della Maddalena
Granone & Monchieri Torniture e Prodotti in Legno, Vico del Filo
Arfinengo, Via Cesarea
- Buy prepaid SIM cards
- Walk through some pretty carrugios.
- Visit Columbus's house if it happens to be nearby.

I know the stores are closer to the Brignole station so I am looking for areas to do these things in the vicinity.

I hope Zeppole notices this posting.

greg

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zeppole

Hi! I just happened to be at the internet today.

Taxis in Genova are not all that expensive, and my advice would be to take one to the restaurant of your choice (or as close as you can get.) But before you leave Principe, buy a GOOD MAP of Genova, one that includes the Caruggi.

After lunch, sightsee in the direction of the store of your choice.

But bear in mind that stores close during the lunchtime "pausa" and don't open until 4pm earliest. So if you need to catch your train at 6pm, you need to be finished shopping and on your way back to Principe by 5pm -- and even that is cutting it close, since you have to retrieve your luggage. I'm not sure you have time to both shop for kitchen goods and a SIM card. Service is not fast in Italy.

Were it me, I might be tempted to keep my luggage with me if it's a roller, just to give myself those extra minutes.

You may need to ask your last stop to call a taxi for you. If for some reason they won't (and I don't know why they wouldn't) know where there is a nearby hotel that will help you.

The carrugi in Genova are not pretty. They are quite atmospheric, and they have lots of fascinating shopping, but they are not pretty. The most architecturally interesting spots are the Strada Nuova, Piazza San Matteo and around the cathedral of San Lorenzo. But basically you will need to stay on a path that gets you close to your shopping choice, if you stick with your plan to shop that day, or can't return on a day trip to do the shopping.

Columbus was not born in Genova. The house is stretching the claim a bit. He may not ever have even lived there. (I've never been).

I don't know where you are going after Genova, but if it is in Liguria, you should purchase David Downie's new guide to the food and wine of Genova and the Italian Riviera. He can identify a great lunch spot for authentic food in Genova.

Hope that helps!

zeppole

PS: I just did Google searches for your stores, and the only one that turned up was Arfinengo, which is fairly conveniently located to a metro stop that would take you back to principe. You might try taking the metro to that area (around San Giorgio), having a lunch there, wandering near the Porta Soprano and the cathedral San Lorenzo, heading over to Arfiinengo, and that might work.

greg

Zeppole,
Here is a key question - does the deposito baggali at Principe stay open during "pausa?" If it closes, then I need to rethink this stop over. The Trenitalia sites says it is available, but that is about it.

If it is temporarily closed, I am thinking of going to Brignole and use the deposito there since my train goes that direction anyway.

zeppole

I don't know. I've never used it. I have used the one at Brignole. According to the Trenitalia website -- go at your own risk -- the daytime hours are continuous.

http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/i...003f16f90aRCRD

In general, the Brignole station is in a part of town much easier to figure out. I can even recommend a restaurant to fit your description a five-minute walk from there -- Ostaja on the via San Vicenzo, 64R. Brignole is only 2 minutes from Principe.

Can I ask where you are going? Also, is the shopping expedition about corzetti?

greg

I am heading to CT after Genova. I want to buy Ligurian cooking items. The priority is something difficult to find but light and not bulky, so corzetti are attractive in this regard. I am also interested in olive oil, but it is a low priority item because of bulk and the weight.

Because Genova is the first large Italian city I will be stopping, I would like to pick up a prepaid SIM card for my unlocked phone, so I am also interested in streets where I can find cellphone stores near Principe or Brignole.

I am thinking of taking a taxi from Principe to Brignole and leave luggage there. It seems Brignole is closer to the shopping and restaurant area. I thought of taking a local train from Principe to Brignole, but it takes 30min total counting the layover and the travel time even if the local train is on time. My EC train does not go to Brignole, so I have to get off at Principe.

Can you comment on my Lucca thread also? I am getting no replies.

Also several question on Ostaja. Stores on Via San Vicenzo has "R" on street numbers - what does it mean?

Also Ostaja, is this the full name? Another restaurant Trattoria Da Guglie is at exactly the same address and the phone number. I am confused.

OSTAJA SAN VINCENZO
16121 Genova (GE) - 64/R, VIA S. VINCENZO
tel: 010 565765

And finally the hour: I have never entered a restaurant in Italy within 30min of the closing time. Will they let me in and order a meal? I know I would expect usual, "we are out of that" on many items.

zeppole

Trattoria Guglie is now the Ostaja. The "R" in a Genovese address indicates the number is painted in red, for being a business. The restauarant has a large sign and is not hard to find.

You can get corzetti in Chiavari, which is a wonderful town to visit and for shopping. Do a google search for Franco Casoni (or it may be Carsoni). I would do it as an easy day trip from Cinque Terre. You should also ask around in Cinque Terre about kitchen item shopping in Sestri Levante or La Spezia.

Along the via San Vincenzo, you should find places accommodating when it comes to time. If they are not, there are plenty of places to pick up foccacie and other take-away foods.

Since trains run to le Cinque Terre straight through the day, I think you are better off going right to Cinque Terre, getting rid of your bags, and taking a train ride to La Spezia during business hours to get your SIM card, and you may be able to get one in Levanto or one of the five towns. (I"ve never bought one, so I can't help there!)

If you are determined to make a stop in Genova en route, it does make sense to take a taxi to Brignole and stow your luggage. You should be able to get to the Ostaja by 1:45 or 2, and that's no problem for lunch. Stores selling SIM cars will reopen on the via San Vincenzo around 4. Likewise on the nearby via XX Settembre. If you miss your 5pm train, there are others that run all night.

zeppole

Sorry, but I couldn't find your Lucca thread!

greg

Here is my Lucca thread

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-in-lucca.cfm