I asked about this city within another thread about Liguria, but decided to start a separate discussion. We are interested in spending a couple of days here either at the beginning or end of a visit to the coast. I am looking for any general information on the best area in which to stay, recommended hotels in the 3-4 star category, thoughts on the city and on the train from Genoa to Casella...

Also we would like leads on private guides or walking tours in Genoa..

Once we firm up our plans, I will post again about restaurants..

I have not spent time in Genoa, but we did spend 4 nights in Lerici on the Ligurian coast. I can highly recommend Megan of Bella Vita Italia (www.bellavitaitalia.com) as a tour guide for places in that region. We used her as our guide for Cinque Terre and also did her cooking class, which was a highlight of our trip.

She is an American who married an Italian and lives in Lerici, but she does planning and guiding throughout that region.

Thanks, Jgg. I have read here about Megan and will contact her once we firm up our plans.. Right now I am thinking of two nights in Genoa, either at the beginning or end of our coastal stay.

I will take another look at her website..

Perfect location in Genoa, with nice rooms (mine was HUGE) and good breakfast:

http://www.hotelbristolpalace.it/

Thanks, Holly. That was one of the hotels I was considering. Anyone else with Genoa information for me? Many thanks!

http://www.discoveritalia.it/cgwe/it...amp;IDcitta=19 will give you a fair view of what to do and see in genova.
have a nice trip!

Thanks, Baldrick. The more I read, the more interested I become in Genoa, which does not appear to get much attention on this site.

I have exactly the book you require for a trip to Genoa and Liguria tailored especially for you. It is Laura Schenone's <i>The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken</i>. It is an investigation of family and food. In its recipes and restaurant recommendations, discussions of agriturismo, culinary tours and cooking classes, it might almost have been written by you after you'd returned from your Ligurian odyssey. Alas, I have never been to Liguria and so cannot vouch for its accuracy, I have however, spent some time both in Hoboken and Montclair, NJ, two other locales in the book, and she has them down well.

They have it at NYPL: http://catalog.nypl.org/iii/encore/r...ng&suite=pearl

But so confident am I of its absolute fitness for your needs that I suggest you purchase it, posthaste.

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Ravioli-R...9377151&sr=8-1

Just noticed some self-promoting moron resurrected this thread from '08. The book recommendation stands.

ekscrunchy,
have you been already to Genova by now?

B: I never got to Genoa, unfortunately. Someday!

Well, we were there for 3 days and were more than positively surprised. Many 15th-16th century palaces to be visited and an old city center with intricate alleyways. Very lively city. And we found excellent restaurants as well.
Hope you get there one day...

That is excellent news. I wondered if the city had gotten short shrift here, as so few people seemed to have even the slightest interest. I hope that you will consider writing a brief (or longer) report of what you did and where you ate...good for you for exploring somewhere that is not on the beaten tourist trail.

Am in Genoa at present prior to cruise....very beautiful City and also find it more appealing than Rome......Rome has of course got it's very famous sites but Genoa has that something else.

Will be coming back one day for longer visit.