30th Chapter – Genova & Cinque Terre
This Chapter is in chronological order.
Cannes/Genova, Italy/ Thursday, May 21, 2026
Today begins a long weekend trip with our friends Kevin and Kathleen from Chicago. They are in France for a business trip.
They picked up around 10 AM for a drive to Genova via San Remo with a final destination of the Cinque Terre of Italy.
We arrived in Sanremo for lunch. After walking around a bit, we found a restaurant (Marzio Bistrot / Via Gaudio 4,). While we waited for our food, a street musician serenaded us. He was a real character.
After lunch, Rebecca scored a big bag of her favorite coffee at a local coffee shop before she and Kathleen headed off for some retail therapy at Falconeri. Kevin and I conducted a gelato inspection across the street.
After Sanremo, we headed off for Genova. The drive was lovely along the sea.
At a rest stop, Rebecca discovered a giant-sized box of chips for only 5 eu. I resisted the temptation to buy it
We arrived in Genova and were met by an agent from our local host, who directed us to a parking area and facilitated our check-in. This was for a one-night stay. https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/genoa-apartment.html
After checking in, we explored the city. I was rather impressed.
We caught dinner across from the city fountain (Rosmarino) and had an excellent meal, after we explored a bit more of the city.
Genova / Riomaggiore/ Friday, May 22, 2026
I left the apartment a bit early, seeking a local supermarket. There are plenty of hills in Genova, and GPS introduced me to several, landing me at a high point of the city. The view was nice.
We checked out at 10 AM, parked the car, and headed out for some more explorations on foot.
This took us to Musei di Strada Nuova , where my press pass gained me free admission.
In the magnificent setting of Via Garibaldi, a masterpiece of Genoese architecture, the Strada Nuova Museums offer a museum itinerary of over seventy-five rooms dedicated to Renaissance and Baroque art. Built in the mid-16th century, Strada Nuova is home to the homes of the city’s powerful and wealthy aristocracy.
Palazzo Rosso is a fascinating residence where 17th-century art lives on, enshrined in the rich collections and historic furnishings of the Brignole-Sale family. Rooms sumptuously decorated with frescoes and stuccoes display works by artists such as Dürer, Veronese, Guercino, Strozzi, Grechetto, Van Dyck, and many others. In addition to admiring the museum’s exquisite rooms, visitors can conclude their tour with a breathtaking view of the city and the historic center from the “miradore”
Our walks took us through the local Hooker Ville, where we noticed the day shift at work.
Before leaving Genova, we caught lunch at au Café Ristorante. The food was excellent, including my roast beef dish.
After lunch, we retrieved the car and headed off to Cinque Terre, specifically Riomaggiore.
The drive took us through some rather interesting hairpin turns and many tunnels. 