Christopher Columbus and Genoa [4618]
Every Day is Columbus Day in Liguria. Columbus was from Genoa.
Columbus’s journey was a feat of navigation, a demonstration not only of foolhardy confidence – the intrepid sea captain was sailing in the wrong direction, after all, if he hoped to reach India – but also of fearless entrepreneurialism. The goal was to find a short, safe passage toward riches.
The "Rock Villages" of Western Liguria Part Four [933]
Baiardo: one of the Western Riviera’s most astonishing “Rock Villages.” A paradise Baiardo may be today, but it has experienced hellish times…
Camogli: Swimming Weather in Late September [1342]
Swimming on the Italian Riviera in September is ideal, and Camogli is a fine place to do it.
Genoa Favorites: A Fabulous Food Shop and Café [1668]
One of my favorite shops along Sottoripa in Genoa’s port area is Armanino, a specialty foods boutique founded in 1905. Nearby it is Klainguti, a pastry shop and cafe. It opened for business in 1826, the brainchild of a pair of Swiss brothers—which explains the utterly un-Genoese name. The Klainguti brothers were pastry makers. They had planned to sail to America from Genoa to make their fortune. But they literally missed their boat, opened a shop here instead, and the rest is history.
Hidden Liguria: Chiavari [3284]
Is Chiavari the most underrated city along the Italian Riviera? I’m almost certain of it.
The “Rock Villages” of Western Liguria Part Three [757]
Apricale, one of the Western Riviera’s celebrated “Rock Villages,” has been around since the Bronze Age. Its Latin name (Apricus) means “sun-washed,” and, as you find out in warm weather, is all too apt. Some of the buildings in Apricale are 9th century, probably, but documents only go back to 1016. So, to be fair, villagers humbly look forward to celebrating a 1,000th anniversary soon.
