It is believed that the Aquarium of Genoa is the largest in EuropeNear the port in Piazza Caricamento we catch the Hop On Hop Off bus for which we have a 2 day ticket
Again we pass the popular fountain in Piazza de FerrariThe staircase of the three Caravelles in the centre of GenoaPiazza della Vittoria with the Arc of Victory in the centre of the squareThe incredible building of the train station at Piazza G VerdiWe get off the bus in the main shopping area of Genoa on Via XX SettembreAt the patisserie Panarello we purchase the most delicious wild strawberry tart ever tasted!!!Back on the bus after some coffee and some retail therapy, we pass by Piazza CorvettoAt the statue of Christopher Columbus we again get off the busNearby is the beautiful Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) which we decide to visit before returning to the boatThe palace was built for the wealthy Italian Balbi family in the early 1600’sThe Durazzo family bought the palace in 1677 and they were responsible for enlarging it to it’s present size
Most of the paintings, furniture and decor are the originals We commented on how short the beds were in the house and it was explained to us that they all slept in an almost sitting position for health reasons!!!One of the oldest royal families in the world from the House of Savoy bought the palace in 1823 and then from 1919 it has belonged to the state
Across the road from Palazzo Reale is the palace Balbi Senarega, which houses the University of Genoa, also built by the wealthy Balbi family
Palazzo San Gorgio in Piazza CaricamentoRic books a table at Soho, close to the port in the old part of the townAs usual a vino rosso is orderedDelicious duck for Ric tonightMy choice tonight is the wonderful and quite generous dish of stuffed calamari with grilled vegetablesThe pear with chocolate was amazing!!Strawberries in pastry – divine!!!
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