Description
A private walking tour of Genoa's old town begins in the caruggi, the maze of medieval alleyways where the light hardly reaches the stone walls. Your guide leads, and you have about three hours to take in a city that reveals itself layer by layer.
From there the route climbs Strada Nuova, a UNESCO World Heritage street of Renaissance palaces built to show off the wealth of the merchant families. You step into courtyards and noble halls with marble staircases and frescoed ceilings, then descend to the Old Port, once busy with sailors and merchants, and where Christopher Columbus's story began. On the way the guide explains how Genoa grew into a maritime power that financed empires and rivalled Venice.
- Piazzas where daily life goes on
- Market stalls with pesto and focaccia
- Quiet chapels with unexpected artworks
Wear comfortable shoes, since the walk goes through medieval alleyways. Food and drinks are not included. The tour runs in English, Spanish, Italian, German or Russian.