Camogli, Villa Durazzo and Rapallo

Leaving the pier, you will proceed along the coast to Camogli, a small Italian fishing village and tourist resort , tucked away between Portofino Mountain and the Ligurian Sea. Camogli (pronounced kuh-moh'-lee) has a double meaning in Italian. The first translation, "houses close together," is apparent when you stroll through the town's narrow streets, which are lined by tall columns of pastel-colored homes.

The second meaning, "houses of wives," is not so obvious; it refers to the fishermen's wives, who traditionally spent their time at home while their husbands were out at sea.  Camogli's biggest tourist attraction is its annual fish-fry and festival during the second weekend of May. Saturday's "blessing of the fish" festivities include bonfires and a spectacular display of fireworks. On Sunday the town pulls out what is said to be the largest skillet in the world (about four meters -- more than 12 feet -- in diameter) and fries up a huge helping of fish donated by the local fish cooperative.

Visit of the basilica Santa Maria Assunta, the largest of the town's five churches.  Right next to it, you'll find an old castle which today houses a small aquarium.  Boarding  the motor -launch , you shall travel  past the Bay of San Fruttuoso,  where the homonymous village is set in a breathtakingly beautiful inlet lying at the foot of mount Portofino.

The village lies around San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte Benedictine monastery, which includes an abbey built in the 13th century, a 10th-century church, a small Romanesque cloister, and the sepulchre of the Doria family who founded the abbey.  The nice city of Portofino lies to the south of the promontory; gathered around the little marine square, the city has been an international and elitist resort for two centuries. 

Arrival to Santa Margherita with its bustling harbor and little churches. Santa Margherita is a delightful resort and is the jumping-off spot for the best of the Italian Riviera. The low hill dominating the waterfront is an interesting place to explore. The grand seventeenth-century Villa Durazzo is a monument to the faded glory of the Riviera. The 17th century building is adorned with statues and rich paintings, tapestries, marbles, ceramics and Venetian chandeliers. It is enchanting to walk through these majestic rooms;  feel a magical sense of splendour outside too in the magnificent park that surrounds the house. The garden terraces are a public park and a pleasant place to sit. There is also a 'Coffee House' where enjoy a  typical refreshement.

After the visit,  in the city center free time at leisure for shopping and lunch. Transfer to Rapallo where you shall visit this famous resort with its 16th century castle built as a defense against the Saracen raids and connected to the land by a single-span Roman bridge over which, according to the legend, Hannibal crossed during his invasion of Italy. Time for shopping or stroll before starting your return trip to Genoa via the autostrada

Genoa la Superba

After a 20 min boat trip around the harbour of Genoa you will beging the walking guided tour of the so famous Superba. Crossing San Lorenzo Street and the Cathedral  you will arrive to the Antique Art District admiring the best works in Palazzo Rosso ( paintings by Durer, Guercino, Strozzi ) , Palazzo Bianco ( paintings by Van Dick, Rubens, Strozzi ), Palazzo Tursi and Paganini's Museum where you can see his famous violin .
A short walk among the historical centre gives you the opportunity to arrive to the sixteenth-century Imperial Palace, where you will stop for a drink. The exposition rooms have frescoes by Luca Cambiaso and Giò Battista Castello and inside you can also visit the modern jewellery museum, Fabrorum. The tour ends in the new Expo area, designed by the architect Renzo Piano and built in 1992 for the Columbus celebrations, here, after some free time you can take your boat to return to the ship.