Italian Riviera
Genoa and the Italian Riviera
Genoa is a northern Italian city of approximately 650,000 inhabitants, dividing the Italian Riviera into two parts - Riviera di Levante to the East and Riviera di Ponente to the West. Genoa was the European Capital of Culture in 2004 and site of the G8 meeting in 2001, yet it remains off the beaten path of mass tourism. Thus, Genoa and its Riviera offer the opportunity - rare in Italy! - for an authentic, full immersion experience in contemporary Italian life, increasing the chance to practice speaking Italian outside the classroom.
Genoa's vibrant cultural scene includes many museums, theatres, festivals and conferences. The world-class Carlo Felice Opera House offers a full program of opera, symphonic and popular music. The palaces on Via Garibaldi, once home to Genoa's richest families, are now a series of linked museums. The Festival of Science (in November) and International Festival of Poetry (in June) are among the most important annual events.
The medieval quarter or historical center spans from the seafront upward to the modern city, and is the largest medieval quarter in Europe. The Porto Antico, the waterfront restored by the Genovese architect Renzo Piano, is a tourist attraction with museums, shops, restaurants, cinemas and the world-famous Aquarium.
Enormous urban renewal projects have restored the city to an original beauty that had been obscured by twentieth century industrialization, making Genoa a protected area. Almost 50 of its stunning historical palaces are now part of UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Genoa's Strategic Position
Genoa's strategic position allows easy access to other cities (Turin and Milan are less than two hours away) and many famous Alpine ski resorts.
Nearby Portofino, a jewel of the Mediterranean, is a chic resort, attracting the jet-set. Camogli, a quaint fishing village, and San Fruttuoso, a cove with a medieval abbey, are located on the Portofino promontory, and may be reached by boat.
Cuisine
The world-famous Mediterranean diet has its origins in the healthy cuisine of Liguria. Some of its best-loved specialties are pesto (a basil-based sauce for pasta) and focaccia, a traditional salty bread soaked in olive oil. Stoccafisso, a traditional fish stew, or minestrone, a hearty vegetable soup, are characteristic dishes of the region. Typical desserts include canestrelli (sugar-coated butter cookies), pandolce (a raisin and pine nut-filled cake), and sacripantina (a cream- and pudding-filled cake soaked in rum). While fish, vegetable-based dishes and olive oil predominate, the cuisine of Liguria is varied and offers something for every taste!