Genova (Genoa) - Marseille

January 2024

Coming back from Jordan, we flew to Milan, spent a short night there and travelled on to Genoa the next morning.

Genoa is a beautiful old port city and a capital of the Liguria region.

Genoa has rich history. For example, it's the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Also, it's packed with historical sites, art, monuments and pretty sights.

Probably the tiniest elevator I've been in.

We booked ourselves an apartment on booking.com. As it was off season it was 68 EUR per night per 2 people - and it was huge and absolutely gorgeous! A loft (called T-Loft) on two floors, full of antiques, art and everything beautiful. If I'm ever back in Genoa, I want to stay only there!

Strolled along the famous Via Garibaldi and its nearby streets and alleyways. Via Garibaldi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as are some of its palazzi.

Piazza de Ferrari

Porto Antico, Genoa’s old port overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the harbour waterfront promenade - fun and lively area to people-watch and sip coffee in one of the various cafeterias.

Also, pesto is originating from Genoa, from around the 16th century. So, we decided to cook a simple delicious dish at our gorgeous apartment. A pesto pasta consisting of parmesan, garlic, basil and pine nuts. Of course, paired with some nice Italian wine!

The next morning bought some focaccia from a nearby bakery and flixbussed ourselves to Marseille, France to spend a weekend there before heading to Brussels for work.

Marseille is another lovely, colourful, hilly, walkable port city in Southern France with mild climate and lots of sunshine. The last weekend of January happened to be especially warm with 19 degrees at daytime!

Opera de Marseille

Walked around at Le Panier, Noailles and La Plaine areas and discovered small stores, bars, cafeterias and markets.

Would it be a French city without an Arc de Triomphe?

Porte d'Aix

La Friche la Belle-de-Mai - a working space and artistic venue in the former Seita factory is a 45,000 m² multi-purpose public space area. There are performance and concert venues, community gardens, play and sports areas, restaurant, bookshop, terraces and a cool rooftop area. Unfortunately the roof is only open in summer but the area was still worth exploring.