A Tale Of Genova
The tale of Genova. For any #Disney fans, this European city should not be confused with the fictional location of Genovia in The Princess Diaries, but the historic port is definitely full of real charm, culture, and great discovery.
A certain Christopher Columbus was born here and the city is home to much more. Come June 2023 it will also host the Grand Finale of the Round the World Ocean Race and will be the European Capital of Sport 2024.
A FAM Trip Fit For Royalty
Coming here in the off-season meant there were limited direct flight options (something the tourist board are working on) so I decided to take a direct BA flight to Turin which is less than a 2-hour train ride away. Others had flown in from across Europe via Munich, and one returned on Ryanair’s direct flights to the UK from Bergamo. Still, as European cities go, it feels well connected. Trains are frequent, and driving between other Italian or French cities is fairly easy.
Day 1: A Magical Meal with Dolphins
Arrive in lovely Genova and check in at the NH Collection Marina. Designed by Renzo Piano, this unique and distinctive modern building is close to the harbour attractions and cruise terminal, and within a short walk of the historic city centre.
Once settled, the group embarked on a historical tour of the City Centre, including visits to historical palaces (Palazzo Lomellino, Chamber of Commerce and Palazzo della Meridiana); discovery of Paganini’s Violine at Palazzo Tursi), and a well-deserved coffee break at Palazzo Rosso.
I didn’t actually partake in the morning activities since I had missed the flight I’d been so organised with, and was unfortunately delayed on the next. If this was actually the Princess Diaries, I would be the clumsy Anne Hathaway before she turned into a swan, but the rest of our group enjoyed the afternoon itinerary.
Our day ended with a site inspection of Acquario di Genova, home to the richest exhibition of aquatic biodiversity in Europe, followed by a magical Dinner with Dolphins. If there was ever a way to relax on a business trip, this would be it. The dolphins swimming behind you creates a really calming atmosphere, and access to any public venue after hours always adds a touch of exclusivity.
Day 2: Venues Oozing with Rich History and Undeniable Beauty
Waking up bright and early, the itinerary for our second day in Genova (or Genoa) was focused on exploring some of the exquisite conference and event facilities around the city. Each boasts a rich history and brimming with potential.
We began with a tour of Centro Congressi, a former cotton mill turned conference facility in the heart of Porto Antico before travelling to the Palazzo Ducale once an official residence of the Doges, and now a multi-purpose cultural facility.
But the star attraction of the morning had to be our Cocktail reception at Terrazzae Colombo at the top of the Piacentini Skyscraper, Genoa’s most exclusive location and Europe’s tallest building up until 1952. Home to surrounding rooftop views, the venue is available for hire making it perfect for exclusive private events with 3 luxury suites. Monday Motivation doesn’t come better than this. By midday, we were sitting in the clouds overlooking the city old and new, with a spray of sunshine to complete the view.
Going from sky to sea, we ventured to the Museum de Mare, the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean for lunch and a tour of the beautiful 12,000m2 exhibition space, immersing ourselves in the fascinating history of sailors, passengers, and travellers of past and present.
The day ended with a tour of our hotel, the NH Collection Marina, followed by an industry networking event and dinner at Villa del Principe hosted by the Italian tourist board and the Vice-Mayor of Genova. The hotel has 140 stylish, contemporary rooms, all of which ooze elegance and premium amenities, plus 7 exclusive double-storey suites for a more luxurious getaway. For corporate events and conferences, there are seven comfortable meeting rooms available for hire fitted with the latest equipment, the largest accommodating up to 180 people.
Day 3: Hey, Pesto!
A final site inspection and ‘Make your own pesto’ experience at Castello d’Albertis, followed by a farewell lunch finalised our trip to Genova. Did you know that pesto actually originated from Genova around the 19th Century (see: Pesto Genovese)! The legend says that in Pra, a province in Genova, a friar collected basil and combined it with other simple yet delicious ingredients he received from the faithful. Over time the recipe was perfected, and today we enjoy the aromatic sauce with lots of dishes!
The Final Round-Up: Improve The Way You Move!
Having extended my stay for a night to reduce travel in between trips, I managed to fit in a short run on my final morning. I would love to see FAM trips incorporate wellness activities and we had a lengthy discussion about the need for alcohol-free alternatives across the events industry during our final lunch.
Hotels and destinations are always keen to promote their connections to sports and leisure, but to really have an impact, the experiences should filter through every avenue.
Still, I can wholeheartedly recommend the destination. thoroughly enjoyed this one!