Genoa  Italy, Mediterranean Cruises Port Profile

The seaport city of Genoa is one of the best-kept secrets on the tourism map of Italy. If you want to explore this city at leisure, you need to book your tickets on one of the Mediterranean cruises that dock at this port city. This is just the place to be if you want to visit a place that spreads the fragrance of those old world charms that vivify the body and soul with the sense of pleasure. The old town centre is marked by an extensive network of alleyways that are popularly known as caruggi in the local parlance. You can also find a number of palaces and churches in this city that are fine specimens of Renaissance architecture. The public square in Genoa is an ideal hot spot for tourists who want to explore the varied sights and sounds of this city, and these are located in and around the Piazza and along the harbor area.

What to do upon arrival in Genoa port

Once you arrive at Genoa, you can head straight to the information kiosk at the port and ask for directions to the best places to visit, eat and shop in the city. You can head to the marine passenger facility located near the Old Port via a taxi, as this is an industrial area. A cab ride from the port to anywhere downtown will cost your approximately 5 to 10 Euros.

Top sights in Genoa

Genoa is home to some of the most amazing places to see in Italy. Your first stop in the city should be the central square of the Piazza San Lorenzo. Here you can visit the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo – a 12th century cathedral that is sure to astound you. After a tour of this cathedral, you can take a trip of the Casa della Famiglia Colombo. This is the home of one of the most famous explorers in the world – Christopher Columbus. Those who come to Genoa with their families love to visit the dome-shaped Biosfera greenhouse.

This along with the Acquario or the Genoa Aquarium is one of the most popular places to visit in the city among family vacationers. The dolphins at the Acquario are a major attraction for kids and both locals and tourists flock to this place to watch them frolicking in water. Another popular place of attraction in this port city that you should not miss at any cost is the grand Forte Sperone. This 18th century fortress was built to protect the city against invasions and offers panoramic views of the city skyline.

Those with a fondness for history and culture will not be disappointed in Genoa as there are many museums in this city that house outstanding collections of paintings dating back to as early as the 12th century. You can admire the works of some old masters such as Castiglione and Van Dyck in these museums. Some of the most popular museums in the city include the Museo Palazzo Rosso – also known as the Red Palace, and the Museo Palazzo Bianco –popularly referred to as the White Palace. After visiting these places, you should head to the Museum of World Cultures (Museo delle Culturo del Mondo) if you are interested in learning about pre-Columbian Latin America. One of the most popular displays that you can see at Museo Del Tesoro is the silver platter from which the head of John the Baptist ate.

Dining at Genoa

There are several excellent places to dine at in Genoa. You can enjoy open air dining at one of the cafes that are located in the main square or head to a restaurant for a more formal setting. For a quick bite, you can order a food parcel from one of the patisseries. A common element that you will find in most of the eateries in this city is the Italian décor. The menus at these places list both local delicacies as well as international delights including specialties from the Chinese, Mexican and North African cuisine.

Shopping at Genoa

Shopaholics will not be disappointed from their trip to Genoa as this place is easily one of the top shopping destinations in the Liguria region. For the best bargains, you should head to the old town district. However, you can still indulge in some street shopping at the main square or head to the small stores located in Via Soziglia for buying some regional specialties. 

Travel tips for Genoa

You can find a number of bookstores area that sell English language books as well as city maps in the city along the Via XX Settembre Street and in the Palazzine Milo. Though there are a number of Internet cafes around the city, any person who wishes to use the service needs to provide a photo id. The main internet access points in the city can be found at the Libreria Mondadori. This in turn is situated on the Via XX Settembre. You can also connect with friends and family over the cyberspace by heading to the Nonedove Internet Point situated on the Corso Buenos Aires.

All the major banks in the city are located along the Via Fieschio. You can reach this place by asking for directions to the Via XX Settembre. In fact, if all you need to do is withdraw some amount from the ATM using your card, you can simply ask a local to direct you to a cash point located nearby. In case you disembark from the cruise with some luggage and do not want to check into a hotel for half a day, you can leave your luggage and the luggage counters at Stazione Brignole and the Stazione Principe train stations. You will be charged a nominal amount for the same.

Since January 2005, smoking has been prohibited in all enclosed public places in the city. For more information on what to do and see in the city, you can head to one of the many travel agencies that dot the city. You can find most of these located at the Piazza Giacomo Matteotti and the Piazza della Vittoria.

Original Article Written for www.mediterraneanfuncruises.com