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and Palazzo Bianco, two regal palaces that sit across the street from each other that have both been converted into art museums. Equally breathtaking, the Palazzo Bianco is more of a traditional art gallery, while the Palazzo Rosso is home to heirlooms and family collections. Wandering back toward our hotel, we walked through the beautiful glass-ceilinged Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini, a mini shopping mall with specialty shops and boutiques. At its exit, you nearly step directly out and into Teatro Carlo Felice, a grand theater that faces the Piazza De Ferrari — essentially the heart of the city — with its magnificent central fountain. From there, our hotel was just two short blocks away. Upon our return, it was hard not to marvel at the abundance of historic destinations and fascinating sites that all lie within less than a mile of our hotel. For dinner one evening, we walked to Piazza Della Vittoria, found at the opposite end of Via XX Settembre from Piazza De Ferrari. is large public square is anchored by a towering arch, erected in honor of those lost in WWI. Restaurants line the park here, inviting lingering meals outdoors as dusk settles into night. We chose Gino Sorbillo Pizzerie, recommended by our concierge for its excellent pizza that's crafted at the hands of owners originally from Naples. It was as exceptional as we'd hoped, and perfectly complemented by a crisp Peroni. ough there's so much to see within Genoa, its proximity to the picturesque towns that dot the Ligurian coast make it a great jumping off point for day trips. I fielded a ton of recommendations from friends who'd visited these dreamy little villages, from Sestri Levante to Cinque Terre. ough our concierge said there were many beach destinations much closer, we ultimately hopped on a quick, sub-30-minute train to Santa Margherita Ligure. It's a classic Mediterranean coastal destination, where the waterfront is lined with beach clubs and their cheery umbrellas, white cabines, and the sparkling sea beyond. From here, we could have taken a taxi on to Portofino, a true icon of the Italian Riviera, but Santa Margherita's beach is mere minutes from the train station on foot, every bit as charming as other, more recognizable villages, and, we were told, far less crowded. We secured chairs and an umbrella at Miami Beach Club and settled in for a dreamy day of sunshine, Aperol spritzes, and flipping into the Mediterranean off a little jetty. It was perfection. Like most people visiting Italy, we didn't shy away from indulging. Genoa is particularly renowned for its pesto — the sauce originates here — and its focaccia. I can confirm that few things could be more satisfying than a warm square of fresh, pillowy focaccia to recharge after a busy day being touristy, but it's even better when it's chased with a classic scoop of gelato. Gelaterias abound, and I can say with full honesty that I didn't find any that disappointed. And I tried a lot of them. As we savored breakfast on the elegant terrace of Hotel Bristol Palace on the final day of our stay, I realized how much more Genoa was than we'd even imagined. With a handful of other destinations in Italy consistently getting top billing, this fabulous city is often, and unfairly, overlooked. I, for one, can't wait to return. INTRO Genoa's Piazza De Ferrari OPPOSITE Santa Margherita Ligure is a quintessential coastal village of the Italian Riviera LEFT The distinctive twin towers of Porta Soprana ABOVE Hotel Bristol Palace's grand elliptical staircase, viewed from the ground floor @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 97