Best kept se c r et in I t a ly
slow food events, it promotes the importance of sustainability.
The region is home to a number of local specialities, including some familiar favourites. Expect to see pesto and focaccia everywhere, with every restaurant promising their own version of the latter.
For braver souls there’s cappon magro, an elaborate, multi-layered melange of fish and salad covered in jelly. To say it’s an acquired taste is an understatement, but locals are proud of it and it’s likely to appear on most menus. Worth a particular mention is Cavo, a palace turned restaurant with stunning frescos throughout its delightfully old-fashioned set up.
After stuffing yourself silly you’ll need to burn off those calories and, again, Genoa has it covered.
The hills behind the city offer fine views across the Ligurian Sea. After taking a 15-minute ride up the Zecca-Righi funicular railway you can spend hours hiking through the lush greenery.
The area is called Parco Urbano delle Mura, or Park of the City Wall, and has military posts from the 17th and 18th centuries. Guided tours run from March to October but all you need is a good map and a sense of direction.
Like much of Genoa, many of the forts are well preserved. It’s this ability to value the past while looking to the future that provides the city’s appeal. Best go soon, before the secret gets out.
Rock the boat on a seven-night musical voyage on Cruise & Maritime’s Magellan leaving Newcastle on September 2. Guest acts include Suzi Quatro, Slade, The Troggs, Yardbirds, From the Jam, Big Country and Animals & Friends. Between live gigs, the ship calls at Skye, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Dublin and Invergordon. iglucruise.com, 020 3733 5557.
Get 45 per cent off a week’s B&B in a junior suite at the five-star Shanti Maurice resort until September 30, including Air Mauritius flights from Heathrow and private transfers. turquoiseholidays.co.uk, 01494 678400. All prices correct at time of publication