The trip worked out well and the kids traveled better than I expected. So we've already started kicking around the next big trip. (I'm pushing for next year, my husband says in 2 years... I've got time to work on him. )
Now to earn some $$ to pay for it all.
The ferry from Naples to Catania worked out well on this last trip. We enjoyed it a lot. So we want to do a ferry leg again.
We're thinking of starting in Barcelona. (I've never been, Gaudi is one of my husbands favorite architects). Then taking the ferry to Genoa and spending a week in Genoa or Portofino or one of the CT towns. Then heading to Paris or London. I'll post my Barcelona questions on the Rest of Europe board.
We want to avoid renting a car this time and do it all by train, ferry, bus/tram, and taxi.
What can you guys tell me about Genoa? We like cities - so urban isn't a problem. Is it a good base to day trip from?
How hard is it to get to Portofino from there without a car?
Has anyone done the ferry from Barcelona to Genoa?
Thanks!
Posts: 334 | Location: San Diego | Registered: 26 November 2006
Hi Katie, Happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip. I am addicted too. It is good to know way in advance were you want to go, then it is easier to plan and to grab a good airfare. I never took the ferry from Barcelona to Genova, but this could take quite a bit of time. Another think to consider: Barcelona is surrounded by beaches and nice places; do you really want to do a big triangle?
Originally posted by Anastasia: Hi Katie, Happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip. I am addicted too. It is good to know way in advance were you want to go, then it is easier to plan and to grab a good airfare. I never took the ferry from Barcelona to Genova, but this could take quite a bit of time. Another think to consider: Barcelona is surrounded by beaches and nice places; do you really want to do a big triangle?
The ferry is long - but it's overnight so you're asleep for a good portion of it. We'd do a 4 berth stateroom again - giving us comfortable beds and a shower/wc. Looking online, it looks like it leaves Barcelona at 9:30pm, and arrives in Genoa at 3:30pm the next day... but the trip appears to go along the coast - making it a pleasant boat ride, in and of itself. A cruise along the riviera, sort of. (I was looking at the Grand Navi line.)
The idea came about while we were in Sicily. My husband thought it would be cool to start in Spain, ferry to Sicily, then ferry to Greece. But there are no ferries that do that. So we started what-if'ing and came up with the triangle. When he saw pictures of Genoa, Portofino, etc he definitely wanted to focus there, rather than Sicily.
He's pretty set that he doesn't want a car the next trip... and wants to be a bit more urban than the Tuscan leg of this last trip. I'm fine with this - less stress if we don't drive, and we both like cities.
Posts: 334 | Location: San Diego | Registered: 26 November 2006
IO'm glad to hear I'm not the only planning trips years in advance. I have them stacked up now: 2007 in Sept- Italy, 2008- Knoxville and/or back to Cambodia, 2009- Belize, 2010- France again unless we are invited to a wedding there beforehand and Ireland (together this time), 2011- back to St. John in the USVIs.
Barcelona is pretty cool, especially Gaudi Park. Visiting the Sagrada Familia cathedral is awesome too. We did Barcelona via train from France then went by plane over to Menorca which is also on the long- return trip list. The lists can be endless, eh?
Posts: 473 | Location: Massachusetts | Registered: 11 April 2006
Katie, I think the ferry from Barcelona to Genoa is a great idea, especially since you've traveled by ferry and enjoy it. I've never tried it, but it sounds interesting. The Gaudi architecture in Barcelona is fabulous. And if you're a Picasso fan, there's a really nice little Picasso museum there.
In Italy, you might consider Camogli as a base - it's near Genoa and really delightful. You could take the train from there to Milan and catch a flight to either London or Paris.
Happy planning! -Krista
Posts: 1694 | Location: Santa Barbara, California | Registered: 21 May 2004
I second the recommendation of using Camogli as a base. From Camogli, you can both take a ferry to Portofino and take a train into Genova to see the sites.
From Genova, you could go up through Milano and Switzerland to Paris. Perhaps there are good train connections to Torino -- a really marvelous Italian city -- to Lyon to Paris. In fact, as fond as I am of Liguria, if you are looking for a more urban Italian experience, Torino might suit you and your children perfectly.
But all in all, you might find it easier to start in Pisa, take trains to Camogli, take the ferry from Genova to Barcelona -- and at that point I would either fly to Paris or London.
And I will point out that the very cheapest option might be to start in London and either fly out of Barcelona or Pisa.
It's the Italian Fever and like a compulsion once you've been, enjoyed and then are nicely infected.
I was back from my September 2004 trip less than a week when I used FF miles for the Next August- Verona, Venice and Genoa with my best friend. She had always wanted to go to the Arena di VErona.And am I happy I did, because now my best friend is ill with an incurable brain tumor . We spent two wonderful weeks in Italy at the Opera in Verona 2 nights, Venice and the Veneto seeing Palladian Villas and Genoa- which we loved. Our trip Report is 893. My memories will last me a long time.
Posts: 117 | Location: Brookline,Massachuseatts | Registered: 01 June 2004
Hi Katie, We just returned from our first visit to Barcelona ( of course, we stopped in Italy first ) and it was fabulous. Enjoyed the Gaudis and the rest of the city - very clean compared to the big cities of Italy. I love Camogli also, but I wouldn't base there because it's so small - I know this is what's appealing to many. We spent a week in Genoa last year & it was great. Lots to see and do, great food ,easy train access to Camogli or Portofino. Don't know anything about the ferries. We flew from Florence to Barcelona on Meridiana.
Posts: 495 | Location: San Diego, Ca. | Registered: 27 November 2002
Originally posted by Dori: My husband calls it the "malatia"
It's the Italian Fever and like a compulsion once you've been, enjoyed and then are nicely infected.
If you let it Italy will steal your heart. Then you end up going back and visiting that organ again and again. I always feel like I am leaving some of me in Italy and I sort of feel like it is some of the best part of me.
So Katie - welcome to our 4 step program.
Step 1 - plan vacation Step 2 - take vacation Step 3 - write trip report. This is the one place where we truly WANT to see your pictures and hear your travelers tales. Don't bore the relatives, write it down and let us savor your trip vicariously. Step 4 - plan next vacation.
I have been infected long ago and I do not want to be cured!!!
I usually start thinking of my next trip ON THE PLANE towards home. This time, not only did I do that but I already wrote and sent in all my reviews, my trip report, and I have pretty much set up my next visit (all within less than a week of being home).
Rome Addict - I LOVED how you described Italy stealing your heart. I SO SO feel the same way and understand exactly what you mean!!
Tommaso, I am looking for some Genoa input as we'll be stopping there on our way from Piemonte to Lerici in September. I know a day won't do it justice, so I am thinking of just hitting the historic center. What were some of your favorite things to do in the Centro? Recommendations for a nice lunch spot you particularly enjoyed?
Don't mean to hijack your thread Katie, I totally understand your feelings. I have tenative plans for my next 3 trips to Italy! I also loved Barcelona though, especially everything Gaudi.
We had a day trip to Genoa, and the high spots were San Lorenzo cathedral -- gorgeous -- and walking around the harbor. Our lunch at Trattoria Sa Pesta, Via Giustiniani 16 (a Slow Food place) was fabulous.
Oh I have it bad too. Took my first trip last fall, and daydream daily about returning to Italy!
I had copied my trip report, and shared it with several friends over the week end. I reread it along with them, and now I am really "homesick for Italy" They all want to go too. Maybe this could turn out to be a fun way to split costs and have a great time too.
I know that I will never "get over" my "infectious yearning for Italy!!
Slow Travel Talk 
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