A traveller's reflection: Italy 2008: 01 Genoa

"If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes..."

(01 - 04 March 2008)

(The Italian Port City of Genoa)

Day 01: Saturday, 1 March 2008

It was one of those times when we simply wanted to get away from it all - to enjoy a long break and see the world with fresh eyes.

We decided on a backpacking journey through Italy, travelling by train from city to city before crossing the Mediterranean by ferry to Tunisia. From there, we planned to drive through its historic towns and even venture into the Sahara Desert. Our adventure would later continue to Athens and the Aegean Islands in Greece.

(A poster at Rome International Airport)

Our midnight flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) landed at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome at 6.15 a.m. From there, we caught the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini - the city’s main railway hub and one of the largest train stations in Europe.

Since Rome was on our return itinerary, we decided to head straight to Genoa and spend a few days exploring its coastal charm before continuing our Italian journey.

(On the Leonardo Express to Rome)

Day 02: Sunday, 2 March 2008

Rome’s Termini station was impressive - bustling with travellers, lined with shops, cafés, and ticket counters. After joining the early morning queue, we bought our return tickets to Genoa and boarded the train northward.

(Our luggage, minimalist travel)

(At Roma Termini, waiting for the train to Genoa)

(Time to board the train to Genoa)

(On the train, always on the move)

(A breathtaking view along the rail route to Genoa)

(A homeless man at one of the smaller stations)

When we arrived, Genoa surprised us with its lively character. The port city was vibrant and colourful, its narrow alleys opening onto grand piazzas. Our pre-booked hotel in the old town made it easy to explore the nearby attractions on foot. The weather was cool and cloudy - perfect for wandering.

(Residence Hotel Del Principe)

(Stazioni Marittime, passenger terminal for cruises)

Genoa, the capital of the Liguria region, has been a vital maritime power for centuries. Its Cattedrale di San Lorenzo - with its striking black-and-white striped façade - stands as a testament to that rich history.

(Genoa is the 6th largest city in Italy)

(Enjoying the busy traffic in the harbour)

(A leading Mediterranean cruise and ferry hub)

At the old port, we spent the afternoon exploring the Acquario di Genova, Europe’s largest aquarium, originally built for Expo ’92 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World. The port was bustling with cruise ships, yachts, cafés, and families out for a stroll. A highlight was the majestic replica of The Neptune, a 17th-century Spanish galleon built for Roman Polanski’s 1985 film Pirates.

(The Marina for the rich and famous)

(The pink building of Genoa Marina Plaza)

(The Gulf of Genoa in Ligurian Sea)

(Spending most of the day in the Aquarium)

(The largest aquarium in Genoa)

(A monster fish on display)

(A huge fish tank, the main attraction)

(The penguins in Genoa Aquarium)

(A drawing of one of the sea creatures)

(Taking a short rest to relax cramped feet)

(Fish and chips for lunch... yummy)

(Galleon Neptune in the Old Harbour)

(Intricate carvings decorating the Pirate Ship)

(Neptune, the God of the Sea)

(Red Indian street buskers at the square)

(Walking along the narrow street to the cathedral)

(Gothic and Romanesque Genoa main Cathedral)

(The black and white Cathedral of San Lorenzo)

(A cool weather at the Cathedral)

We also admired the Piazza De Ferrari, Genoa’s grand square, framed by stately buildings and its famous bronze fountain. Nearby stood the Teatro Carlo Felice, the city’s main opera house, rebuilt after World War II and now a showcase of Genoa’s refined cultural spirit.

In the seaside neighbourhood of Boccadasse, pastel pink and yellow houses clustered by the shore, forming one of the city’s most picturesque corners.

(Plaza de Ferrari Bronze Fountain)

(The main fountain is surrounded with historical buildings)

(The crowd around the fountain in the evening)

(We are trying to take a selfie)

(The principal opera house of Genoa)

(A Statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi in front of the theatre)

Later, we visited the House of Christopher Columbus, a modest 18th-century reconstruction of the explorer’s childhood home. Not far away, the Porta Soprana, a medieval stone gateway with twin towers, once guarded the eastern entrance to the city.

(Birth place of Christopher Columbus)

(Tourists visiting the museum)

(An attraction to local and foreign tourists)

(The remains of the original ruins)

(The gate of the ancient walls of Genoa)

(The so-called Barbarossa walls)

(A large portions of these walls remain intact)

(Taking a breather after a long walk)

We ended the day at Piazza della Vittoria, a grand square honouring Italy’s fallen soldiers of World War I. Its centrepiece, the Arco della Vittoria, is a triumphal arch adorned with sculptures and reliefs. From its steps, the outline of Columbus’s three ships is beautifully depicted in the sloping greenery — a fitting tribute to Genoa’s most famous son.

(Genoa Arch at Piazza della Vittoria)

(In memory of Christopher Columbus)

Day 03: Monday, 3 March 2008

In the morning, we took the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus to explore the rest of Genoa.

High on a hill stood Castello D’Albertis, the former home of Captain Enrico Alberto D’Albertis. Built atop a 16th-century bastion, the castle reflects the explorer’s fascination with distant cultures, now showcased through archaeological and ethnographic collections.

(The Castello D’Albertis)

Back in the city centre, the Palazzo San Giorgio caught our eye with its decorative façade. Once a prison that held Marco Polo himself, it later became the headquarters of the Bank of Saint George — one of the world’s oldest banking institutions.

Another gem was Palazzo Doria Spinola, an elegant 18th-century palace filled with paintings, sculptures, and ornate architecture - a delight for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

(A beautiful building with colorful frescos)

(Genoa Brignole Railway Station)

(The Palazzo Doria Spinola)

(The statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy)

(The view from the top of the hill)

Day 04: Tuesday, 4 March 2008

Our few days in Genoa passed quickly. After breakfast, we packed our bags and checked out of the hotel. With train tickets already booked, we set off for Pisa - planning a short stop to admire the world-famous Leaning Tower before continuing our journey to Rome.

Genoa had been a wonderful surprise - a city of narrow lanes and grand piazzas, of sea breeze and centuries-old stories. It was the perfect beginning to our Italian adventure.