Genova

Cinque Terre
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Driving to Genova was refreshing – it was amazing to be racing along superhighways which burrowed their way through mountains and over bridges hundreds of feet above craggy dried up riverbeds.  

Genova is a city clinging to hillsides next to the sea. The hairpin streets sent Moneypenny into a Tizz once more, but we made it to our hostel – wicked views out to sea. That night Genova put on the most amazing thunder and lightning show. Ultra white lightning ripped through the sky in a ragged blaze, followed by thunder that you feel deep in your chest. 

the kids had their first go at diving in the most incredibly clear water

Genova ferry ride
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Next day we trained it to the Cinque Terre – the new now and happening thing in Italian tourism. The coastline is something to behold and the 5 quaint little towns dot the landscape like something that Cezanne might have painted. Local custom dictates that lovers should lock their lives together by placing a padlock on the walk way called the Via Dell’ Amora - the “Lovers’ way”. We locked one of our very cheap and poorly made padlocks on the fence (with many others) but I think that after putting up with each-other 24/7 and 17+ years, we could have saved the padlock (can’t you tell Ade wrote this!!). We bought a couple of sets of really cheap and nasty snorkelling gear and the kids had their first go at diving in the most incredibly clear water you could imagine – lucky buggers – I learned how to snorkel around the rocks at the Bluff. The kids were amazed as little fish swarmed by. Even Gabe got in (no sand and a shower to rinse off in). 

Portofino
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Next up we had a kid friendly day at the aquarium and a type of imaginarium. All up Genova was ok with no standouts.

Heading home to Bazzano we stopped off at Portofino, which is a holiday playground for the rich – we’re just around the corner from the French Riviera. We were admiring all the lovely yachts when this thing bigger than an ocean liner cruised into the harbour. We were sure that someone like Mel Gibson would surely step off, so we waited around as it berthed but we didn’t recognise anyone. The rains came to wash the riff raff (Zolatis) away so off we went once again to Bazzano.