Genoa

Greg and I passed through Genoa last year when we were in Italy for a month. It was a rainy day and we spent our time mostly in one of the finest aquariums in Europe. This trip we had beautiful weather and a walking tour planned from the port. Noted La Lanterna, the oldest working lighthouse in the world on our way to the first stop, a statue of Christopher Columbus in memory of this native son. Next was a tour of the Royal Palace. We happened upon a lesser basilica that had incredible 3d sculpted reliefs on our way to the funicular (a cross between cable car, train and tram) that would carry us high above the city. We hiked and ogled at fortresses, 17^th century city walls, and breathtaking views of the port, city and surrounding mountains.

After we descended we found a restaurant where we toasted Debye’s 60^th and enjoyed traditional fare. Genoa is the home of pesto so Pam and I partook of pesto pasta with green beans and potatoes. Does not begin to sound as deliciously fresh as it was.

Traversed Via Garibaldi which is the main street of the historic center on the way to Piazza de Ferrari, the central square in Genoa with a fantastic fountain. There was a chocolate festival in process which made us think of Patti. And then it was a brisk walk back to the boat…cutting it close has been our mode so far =)