Hub Of Liguria

Shaped like a salmon, Liguria, Italy extends from the French border to Tuscany, and features nearly 250 miles of gorgeous beaches from Ventimiglia to Portovenere. It’s much like you'll find on the French Riviera, only with an unmistakably Italian twist. At its epicenter is Genoa (above and below), hub of the Italian Riviera.

Marking our 40th wedding anniversary, we booked passage to Genoa by way of Frankfurt and secured a berth at the Hotel Colombo, located among the cobbled, history-steeped streets lining Porto Antico. The old port has been renovated and features newer dockside areas lined with fishing boats, ferries, yachts and cruise liners.

Genoa, founded several centuries before the birth of Christ, was an important Roman port and was later occupied by Franks, Saracens and Milanese. The first ring of defensive walls was constructed in the 12th century. Just steps from our hotel, the Porta Soprana (above), built in 1155 A.D., is the only remaining section of the wall.

To its credit, Genoa was the first northern city to rise up against the Nazi occupation and the Italian Fascists, liberating the city before the arrival of Allied troops. Coincidentally, we watched “The Secret of San Vittorio,” the story of a small Italian village that refused to give up its wine to the retreating Germans, while we were there.

Our plan was simple, really. Visit all the shops, churches, art boutiques, and museums in Genoa. Then, we would explore the Italian Riviera, including the Cinque Terre, followed by a cab ride into the hill country of Liguria to visit our long-lost cousins, the Saunguinetis, in the little village of Isolona. Va bene!