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Genoa
Genoa (Italian, Genova) is an historical port city in northern Italy. Genoa was the European Capital of Culture for 2004. Understand
Venice, Rome, Florence are of course the most known and admired towns in Italy. When moving to north-western Italy (Milan, Turin) it is nevertheless absolutely worth staying for a couple of days or a weekend in Genoa. Get in
By planeThe Aeroporto di Genova - Cristoforo Colombo provides several daily flights from other major European cities such as Rome, Amsterdam, London, Munich, and Paris. From the airport it is fairly easy to rent a car or take a shuttle (bus no. 100, also called Volabus) to the city center. By trainGenoa can be easy travelled to by train from Milan, Turin, Rome, Tuscany (Pisa, Livorno and Florence (changing train in Pisa or Viareggio)) and France (There is a direct train connecting with Nice). By carComing from Milan you can reach Genoa via the A7-E62 (approx. 145 km). Mind though that the last part, from Serravalle to Genoa, is incredibly twisty, making you wonder if you’re still on the highway or accidentally have taken a wrong turn into a motordrome. It’s therefore advisable to take an alternative route, turning off the A7 at the deviation near Tortona and heading on the A26/A7, following Genova, Ventimiglia, Savona, Voltri; making it a longer (+20 km), but certainly safer and more comfortable trip, unless you want to spice up you journey and observe how (some) Italians drive. The same highway is less twisty northbound. Coming from Turin you can either take the A6/E717 to Savona (137 km) and then go to Genoa following the beautiful, but twisty A10 coast highway (an other 45 km) or follow the Genova Piacenza indications you'll find on the ringroad heading south. This latter is the shorter alternative (170 km total), but offers fewer sightseeing opportunities. Coming from the French Riviera just follow the highway A10 and enjoy the sight (approx 160 km from the French border). Coming from Tuscany you can take the A12 from Rosignano to Genoa; mind that you must have snow chains on board between the gates of Carrodano and Sestri Levante when travelling from November 1st to March 31st, even though snow is seldom a problem here. By busGenoa can be reached via Eurolines coach from many European countries. By boatGenoa is an important port, and has many ferry services. Grandi Navi Veloci crosses from Barcelona weekly, and takes about eighteen hours. It also offers a weekly crossing to Tangiers, which takes around forty-six. Get around
There regular buses servicing the whole city, but the timetables one can see at stops are not always reliable. In addition to this there is a short tube railway connecting the city center with the peripheral district of Rivarolo. With the tube connection is also possible to cross the medieval center which usually has too narrow streets (called 'caruggi') for cars or busses. Trains travel through the whole city in the east/west direction; this is probably the best way to travel if you plan to...
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Hotels in Genoa
 | Hotel Portofino Kulm  |
Score 7.625 from 11 reviews | | Viale Bernardo Gaggini, 23 |  |
| This grandiose panorama, marked by the harmonious fusion of land and sea, immediately struck the founder of the Portofino Kulm, Sebastiano Gaggini, a Genoese trader who was one of the most active agents operating on the Paris exchange.
This enterprising businessman who spent a good deal of time in the French capital, was impressed by the refined way of life in Paris and was convinced that he could re-create an enhanced version of Parisian lifestyle in this unique location on the Ligurian promontory.
The hotel’s Hermitage suite, set in the most exclusive wing of the hotel, has been the choice of the Queen Mother Margherita and her entourage, as well as other important nobility from Genoa, Piedmont and elsewhere. Kings, princes, heads of state, Italian and foreign ministers selected Portofino Kulm as their meeting place, thanks to its comfortable and reserved atmosphere. The circle of visitors soon grew to include important personalities from the world of entertainment, science and culture.
The hotel’s extremely convenient location (just under 2 hours from Milan and 30 minutes from Genoa), coupled with the enviably mild climate of the Ligurian Riviera, make the Hotel Portofino Kulm an ideal venue for prestigious meetings and events.
The hotel’s 3 main buildings house a total of 77 guest rooms, a reception area, bar, restaurant and reading lounge. The Kursaal Hall, located in a separate building, can seat up to 350 people.
Between the Portofino Kulm and the nearby hotel Cenobio dei Dogi, there is a total availability of 184 guest rooms and an assortment of meeting rooms, making it possible to organize all types of corporate events.
Shuttle service between the two hotels is available. ... more | | |
 | Hotel Bristol Palace |
Score 8.025 from 122 reviews | | Via XX Settembre 35 | |
| Hotel facilities include:
- Hall porter on duty 24-hours.
- Meeting rooms.
- Free internet point and wireless internet connection for PC and laptop.
- Laundry service.
- Gift welcoming children. ... more | | |
| | Columbus Sea Hotel |
Score 6.5 from 6 reviews | | Via Milano 63 | |
| The Columbus Sea Hotel, which has been recently completely renovated, is located in a convenient position in proximity of the center of Genoa, walking distance from the new Ferry Terminal, air terminal and near the new commercial center “La Fiumara”. The Columbus Sea hotel enjoys a convenient position in close proximity to the historic centre of Genoa, in front of the harbour and ferry terminal.
With a pleasant stroll guests will easily reach the old harbour area, where Europe's largest aquarium - the famous Acquario di Genova - is located. ... more | | |
| | Grand Hotel Savoia  |
Score 10 from 1 reviews | | Via Arsenale Di Terra, 5 | |
| In a refined and discrete context, the hotel boasts the best services in terms of efficiency and hospitality. Guests are welcomed in a warm and elegant atmosphere, in respect of ancient, luxury hotel traditions.
The hotel offers private parking and 117 rooms, including 3 junior suites, 2 gym suites, 1 suite and one presidential/royal suite. A five star restaurant (Novecento) and a panoramic restaurant are available also for external guests, as well as a cocktail bar and an executive lounge.
Six spacious meeting rooms are also available, two of which on the top floor with a wonderful view on the old city centre.
The wellness centre offers a range of services and treatments, such as biosauna, aromatic showers, massage centre and swimming pool. The gym is fitted out with the most modern equipments. The panoramic solarium is equipped with Jacuzzi baths.
Children can enjoy in a wide playground, including garden and a ‘Treasure Hunt’ area. ... more | | |
| | Mini Hotel  |
Score 6.8 from 27 reviews | | Via Lomellini 6/1 | |
| Situated in the centre of Genoa, in front of Mazzini’s house (a museum of Risorgimento), the hotel is ideally set within easy reach of many of the city’s main attractions.
Because of its position it is possible to reach the aquarium and the old port in less than a 5-minute walk, the exhibitions, fairs and congress centre are also found nearby.
The Genoa Principe railway station is also just 200 metres away, allowing easy access around the city and to the surrounding areas. ... more | | |
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| | | More hotels in Genoa |
| Genoa Aquarium with Behind the Scenes Tour and Bigo Tower |
4 hours |
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The friendliness of the seals, the intelligence of the dolphins, the comic turns of the penguins, the unnerving calmness of sharks, and the cuteness of baby marine animals accompany you along the way.
A stimulating journey from the oceans of the origins of life to current themes of the safeguarding of aquatic habitats. An adventure that takes you from Mediterranean seabeds to a Madagascar lagoon, from mangrove forests to the jungle of hummingbirds, from Antarctic waters to delicate coral reefs abundant with life and color. You will experience the spectacular biodiversity of the Great Blue Ship, where you can stroke stingrays and find yourself face to face with young crocodiles. Come for a walk in the most beautiful seas of the world. A visit to Genoa Aquarium lasts a couple of hours, but it is a place you will never stop rediscovering.
Aquarium behind the scenes allows you to understand how the aquarium operates the facilities which host over 600 species of animals in extraordinary aquatic and terrestrial environments. You will learn about the filtration system, the techniques used to produce plankton, the treatment tanks, and even the preparation and distribution of food will no longer be a mystery. Above and beyond the tanks there is a wonderful world to discover. And don't forget to stop at the surface of what you see.
Visiting the Bigo Tower is an unusual guided tour from the sky on a spectacular panoramic-rotating lift. Designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, it offers a fascinating view over the old town area and the old busy port. The lift reaches over the 40 meters for a spectacular, amusing experience, with a selected music background and visuals explaining the city structure, famous locations and landmarks.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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The San Lorenzo Cathedral
 Situated in the centre of the medieval city the San Lorenzo Cathedral is surrounded by buildings of great religious and civil value: the baptistery, the archbishop's palace, the San Lorenzo cloister and the ducal palace. The cathedral, in the past close, in between backstreets and tiny squares, was isolated during the nineteenth century with the creation of the Piazza Matteotti Square and Via San Lorenzo and the enlargement of the Piazza San Lorenzo.
Museum of Natural History
The insect collections are particularly remarkable and they include hymenoptera, coleoptera, hemiptera, lepidoptera, orthoptera, odonata. Among the other invertebrates, there are remarkable collections of molluscs, arachnids and sponges. Among the vertebrates there many bird specimens (birds of paradise, parrots, kingfishers, cassowaries). Among the mammals: marsupials, bats, exotic rodents and African antelopes. The reptilian collections consist of 7,000 specimens belonging to 1,400 diffferent species; the fish collection consists of 2,000 species. I learnt a great deal from the museum so it would you children very much!!!!!!!!!!
| type: | Museums |
| address: | Via Brigata Liguria, 9 |
| openinghours: | 9-12 and 15-17.30 - closed Mon. and Fri. |
| tel: | +39 (0)10 - 564567 |
| openingHours: | None |
| url: | None |
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8 hours |
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It's beauty lies in the magical atmosphere of the Porto Antico, the beating heart of Genoa, fulcrum for the city's cultural and social life and leisure-time. A completely pedestrian-only area facing the sea where you can visit the Genoa Aquarium, the Galata Maritime Museum and take a look at the city from up above on the Bigo, the Panoramic Elevator devised by Renzo Piano. The area of the old port was restored by Renzo Piano for the Columbus celebrations, the 500 year anniversary of the discovery of America. Since this time, every year larger areas of the old port are restored and converted to a new cultural usage. Its fascinating mixture of modern and medieval architecture attracts visitors from all over the world, making of the old port the busiest part of town, day and night.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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