Splendor Of Genoa

This tour of fascinating Genoa begins by boarding a local touring boat at the pier for a delightful sail along Genoa's harbor to the old port of Genoa and the famous Expo area.

Arriving, you will commence a guided walking tour of this revitalized area that focuses on sports and recreation and features exhibitions that mark the celebrations of Christopher Columbus. Traveling by foot, you will then make your way along what Rubens described as the most beautiful street in Europe named Via Garibaldi. Better known as Strada Nuova, this lovely pedestrian street is flanked by some of Genoa's most magnificent palaces, built in the 16th century as residences for the city's most important noble families and which were recently restored in 2004 to their original splendor for the Genoa 2004 celebration.

On Via Garibaldi, which in many ways can be likened to an open-air museum, you will have the chance to visit the three most prized gems of the city that house its artistic masterpieces: Palazzo Bianco, with paintings by Van Dyck, Caravaggio and Rubens; Palazzo Dorea Tursi with its magnificently furnished public rooms and the Paganini Museum, which still houses the violin that belonged to the famous maestro; and finally, Palazzo Rosso with its splendid interiors and painting by Veronese and Guercino.

Following your tour that showcases many of Genoa's most spectacular attractions, artwork and fascinating history, you'll return to the old harbor and sail back to the pier where your tour concludes.