Thinking way ahead..for a trip in late spring 2026. Three weeks, more or less...

I've got a general idea of beginning in or near Genoa and then taking train to Camogli. Stay there, at Cenobbio del Dogi, for about six nights or so...

From there, rent car (probably in Pisa) and making a few stops for relaxation, along the Tuscan coast...before heading home from Rome. I've marked a few places to stay, a bit inland but not far from the coast. Might include Porto Santo Stefano but have to read more..... Food a big interest, wine not so much.

I have a lot of reading to do about the Tuscan part of the trip, but for now, I'm wondering about Genoa. Come across this Reddit thread..speaks for itself.



https://www.reddit.com/r/ItalyTravel/comments/1fz5ebi/were_on_city_8_of_our_italy_trip_and_i_have_never/?chainedPosts=t3_1fbfokb


Better to stay in Nervi than in Genoa?
I was thinking about 3-4 days in either Genoa city or Nervi, just to recover from jet lag coming from NYC); partner cannot walk long distances. Wander around, eat, etc etc....palazzi of Genoa...

I've been in Naples, Catania, Palermo (robbed in hotel there but that was just happenstance, not an issue....)...

Is Genoa unusually scary if I wander around after dark, female alone? (Back at hotel before 11pm for sure)

I feel silly even asking this but that Reddit thread caught my interest. Any comments???

Food, of course, is a prime interest in Genoa, along with the palazzi, market (??)...maybe the aquarium, too....



I will read more about the part of the trip after Camogli, and make a new thread about the Tuscan coast (never been) but right now, want to begin planning step-by-step..hoping to fly into Genoa; I know I need a connection...been to Camogli before but although I flew into Genoa, I spent no time in the city....

Thanks a million....I know Ziggy was there not long ago and I did read his comments....would love to hear more from him and from anyone else who knows, or has visited, Genoa....



I know I said I'd leave the questions about the Tuscan coast for a future thread, but here are three places I've marked...on a vague north to south drive.....I'e got a few more marked but if you know these, or others, please let me know what you think!! Thank you!! I do not understand why my links are not clickable.....




https://www.relaissantelena.it/en

https://www.locandaalcolle.com


https://villadomizia.it/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22622163835&gbraid=0A AAAA_PM71ciChZjaNoRNQPU30MHz2Gyj&gclid=EAIaIQobChM Izqil_o_jjgMVCWNHAR2NFxmnEAAYAiAAEgIcZ_D_BwE

Isola di Giglio???

Following. We're considering a week in Genoa in September.

My wife and I spent a night in Genoa, before proceeding to the Cinque Terre many years ago. A day or two felt adequate, we stayed in the historic centre which was safe and walkable. One of our best Eataly dining experiences was in Genoa by the port.

We were in Genoa in 2015 (a decade ago!), before and after our trip to Cinque Terre. We found Genoa to be a city with many unexpected treats. It was clearly very affluent at some point and there are beautiful historic buildings and a lovely main square with cafes. The waterfront is quite spectacular - with huge yachts and a great aquarium. There are hidden alleyways to explore and wonderful restaurants and food stores. My husband and I went to a Saturday afternoon mass at an outwardly non-descript church that was quite beautiful and extravagant inside. I think that exemplifies Genoa. It is a city that I continue to think about and would be happy to return to.

From Genoa, we took a train to Monterosso, Cinque Terre, an easy train ride. The following year we returned to Cinque Terre and on that trip we took a train for a day trip to Santa Margherita Ligure, a town between Genoa and Cinque Terre that we had glimpsed from the train the previous year. I've often thought that would be a good place to spend a few days. It has a beautiful harbor and a great fish market.

ANUJ: Is there anywhere you have NOT been??

Joduhl: I think you've made the decision for me!! A few days in Genoa..one to recover from jet lag and two to explore, then train to Camogli. (I've been before, and also to SML but my partner has not been to Liguria). From there, train to Pisa to rent car, and continue south to Tuscan coast....I can work out all those details later.....looking for two or three places to stay along that coast, and then probably return car in FCO and spend one night in that town before heading home. I'm thinking late May-early June next year.....

PGSMartino..we can plan together, and share info about Genoa......I know that I want to visit the cemetery, the palazzi, walk the caruggi, etc etc.

https://wonderfulitaly.eu/en/magazin...of-genova-3527

And eat as much focaccia and pesto as possible!

ekscrunchy, is it too late to suggest flying into Pisa?

In Defense of Pisa

DH and I loved the place. You could chill there, even do day trips, and head on to Camogli from there.

May I recommend you take a look at The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken: A Search for Food and Family by Laura Schenone? The family recipes come from Liguria and Genoa itself. Good food writing and recipes.

Thanks to you both!!

I am putting the book on my library list. I have a copy of the David Downie book about food in Liguria but it's been on my shelves for at least twenty years; I have to take a good look at it because I remember he is very sensible and knowlegable about Liguria; I think he lives, or lived, there at one time...

https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Liguria-Celebration-Culture-Lifestyle/dp/0847820076

And dear Fred Plotkin also wrote a book about the region (I think, but cannot find it with a search..) but that, too, was long ago:





We could fly into Pisa, but are you suggesting this so we skip Genoa??
I will look into flights later on, when I get the plan fixed in my mind, but will keep that option open.....I can wait to book the flights just a few months before departure....

Three days in Genoa at the start of your holiday will be perfect. I'd recommend the Bristol Palace - very central to everything you'll want to see and do. The last time I stayed there, the bus from the airport stopped right across the street from the hotel. Very easy. I thought the area was quite safe day and night.

We found Genoa enough for two nights. Had a meal in a business restaurant by the docks and we were put on the golden table as one of us was a woman... (the only woman in the place).

Frankly the LIgurian coast has a bunch of nicer towns than Genoa but, for size and the many large buildings Genoa is probably a good call.

"We could fly into Pisa, but are you suggesting this so we skip Genoa??"... No, you can make Genoa a side trip from Camogli as it's a less than hour train ride. Only you can decide what you wish to see in Genoa though.

Thank you Ekscrunchy,

The Reddit post you shared kind of freaked me out, we are now considering basing in Santa Margherita Liguria, and will visit Genoa.

Thanks for the linked article on Caruggi, it was fascinating and I can't wait to wander the alleyways and check out the artisanal shops! We also will go to the aquarium. Please share any information on restaurants that you research!! You always find great ones!

PGSMartino..we can plan together, and share info about Genoa......I know that I want to visit the cemetery, the palazzi, walk the caruggi, etc etc.

https://wonderfulitaly.eu/en/magazin...of-genova-3527

And eat as much focaccia and pesto as possible![/QUOTE]