Travelfood

Our trip to northern Italy was directed to the capital of Lombardy (Milan, which I have written about before), the rich capital of Piemonte (Turin, with all its gorgeous palaces) and the capital of Liguria, Genoa. The food and culture of Liguria felt so unique that I wished to write an article of its own about this northern area. All the three capitals can be easily accessed by train and by those means we also travelled to the picturesque towns Rapallo and Camogli by the Ligurian sea.  

    After the well planned city center and well functioning traffic of Turin, the chaos of Genoa felt like the ”real” Italy. By the decorated palaces there might be dark alleys surrounded by ancient, many stories high apartment buildings. Surprisingly, Genoa offered free metro rides and free funicular climbs to a viewpoint over the city (autumn 2023). Of the old harbor city a historical part has been preserved, but it has nevertheless been ruined by modern entertainment venues. It is a nice contrast to follow how all the old beauty is combined with well dressed, lively Italians, who gesture wildly and who like to serve their guests – the tourists. 

Ligurian food is surprisingly versatile. Did you know that focacchia bread is from the region? Or Genoan salami? Or pesto sauce called pesto genovese, which tastes best with a local pasta called trofie? I also tasted caramelized duck with chestnuts and honey, and pansotti con salsa alla noci, which is a ravioli with walnut sauce. Maybe the best dish was nevertheless an ordinary homemade minestrone alla genovese, which is more like a vegetable stew than vegetable soup. And in the middle of the dish there is of course a clod of pesto genovese! 

Europe, food, Italian Riviera, Italy, travel, travel experiences