That’s why we’re delighted to bring you our round-up of 10 things you might not have previously known about the host Italian city – so you can plan your trip well in advance.

Not only that, but you’ll be clued up on this gorgeous northern part of the country before you even step off the plane. So without further ado, here are our top 10 lesser known facts:

1) Located on the Italian Riviera, Genova is the main seaport of Italy and nearby Marseilles in France. Its harbour, which was once a hive of maritime activity, was badly damaged during WWII but has since been rebuilt and modernised to become a major commercial and industrial hub.

2) Genova – otherwise known as ‘Genoa’ – was the birthplace of famous explorer Christopher Columbus who died in the 16th century and, of course, discovered America.

3) Europe’s first modern banks popped up in Genova, which is home to the world’s oldest bank, the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, in the 12th century. The first recorded public bond and foreign exchange contract happened in Genova and date back to 1150 and 1156 respectively.

4) Il Bigo, a panoramic elevator modelled on a ship’s crane, is one of Genova’s most interesting modern landmarks, which lifts visitors into the air to get a better view of the city with its old port and gigantic lighthouse dominating most of the seafront.

5) The majority of Genova’s other most famous landmarks can be found on Via Garibaldi – which was once dubbed the Strade Nuova of the Palaces after its reputation for housing many of Genova’s rich and famous.

6) Like Edinburgh and many other cultural cities, Genova is separated into the Old Town and the New Town. The Old Town is a maze of narrow lanes, or ‘caruggi’, which ascend up from the waterfront and is home to a number of old churches, grand palaces and street-corner shrines where the streets can get incredibly crowded. It’s also where you’ll find the city’s red light district, which is obviously seedy with prostitutes lurking down many an alleyway. The New Town, on the other hand, which isn’t actually new is where you’ll find the more up-market Via Garibaldi which is popular with tourists. The early town planning in this part of town actually achieved it a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

7) The 16th century was thought to be Genova’s ‘golden age’ which, in particular, saw its architectural and artistic development peak at the height of the renaissance. The city attracted some big name artists, including Van Dyck, Rubens and Caraggio.

8) Each year, Genova hosts the Paganiniana Festival in memory of the great violinist and former Genovan Paganini – an event which attracts top violinists from all over the world who come to pay tribute and enter its international violin competition.

9) Many Italians are jazz music enthusiasts and Genova has a museum dedicated to the genre – located just off its famous Ferrari Square.

10) One of the best restaurants for sampling regional Lucanian specialities is L’Angolo della Lucania in the Foce area – run by local man Donato Leopaldi for more than 20 years.

Don’t forget to check out the best euro exchange rates before you travel. Keep checking MyTravelMoney.co.uk for the best rates.

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Here’s her account of travelling by coach with Leger Holidays to Fiuggi and beyond.…

“Mention 48 hours on a coach and most people want to run for the hills – but not us. My daughter, Hannah, and I are always up for anything and, recently, this included a bum-numbing ride from Dundee to Rome. In fact, we went 65km further than Rome to the spa town of Fiuggi.

“But our adventure started long before we reached our destination and I still can’t think of another way we could’ve enjoyed supper in France, breakfast in Switzerland and dinner in Italy within the same 24 hours. I’ll never forget cappuccino and pastries against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps in Bellinzona – an unforgettable experience.

“Only Fools and Horses, along with the pay-bar facility (just for me, of course), saw us the rest of the way to Fiuggi, via Reims and the Gotthard Tunnel. But this was no ordinary coach. This was Silver Service, with reclining seats and a leather-clad lounge at the rear. Not only that, but the cabaret act (provided by our drivers) was first class.

“That said, we were glad to arrive in Fiuggi and wasted no time finding a pizzeria, sampling the gelato and settling ourselves into the main piazza to watch the evening’s comings and goings, which included open-air ballroom dancing from the elderly locals.

“Our first excursion, the very next day, was to Pompeii which, of course, was amazing. It wasn’t quite what we expected and we were surprised to find that, after admiring some basic ruins, the amphitheatre, and some native grey lizards, we were disappointed with Old Pompeii because once you’ve seen a few piles of old bricks, you’ve seen them all. But it’s still one to tick off your bucket list.

“Luckily, we faired better in Rome, admiring the Vatican, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps – not to mention the tacky souvenir shops and fantastic Latin restaurants serving Argentinian steak which, according to the locals, are among the best you can find in the Italian capital.

“We chased Catholic priests (only for a photo, you understand) and caught up with Italian tenor Gianluca Paginelli after a cat and mouse chase through Rome, only to find that he was waiting outside the one McDonalds in Rome we hadn’t visited yet.

“The next day, we journeyed to Sorrento, where we spent the day browsing the shops and sampling the lemon slush and, of course, for me – limoncello. And I have to say that, if you want shopping, Sorrento is the place to be. We shopped till we dropped, visited haunts of famous folk and snapped up Sorrento football strips – don’t ask me why.

“Fellow coach travellers had paid the extra and opted for a tour of Capri – favoured island of the rich and famous. But, for us, Sorrento really cut the mustard. We took a tram ride up into the hills and admired the stunning view of the Bay of Naples and shopped for authentic olive oil and lemons in the most rustic of stores.

“Evenings were spent on the veranda sipping drinks and soaking up the atmosphere before retiring to our typically Italian rooms – bugs in the shower and great, big, day-light forbidding shutters on the windows.

“But all too soon, it was time for our return trip – another 48 hours home to Scotland. It was a long haul to gear up for but, if the question is, ‘would I do it again?’ then the answer is ‘yes’ – without a moment’s hesitation!

“This coach trip had made an impression on me – not least because of the friends we met and camaraderie we enjoyed along the way. The journey was filled with adventure, from start to finish, but I’m saving that for the book

“So my message to avid fellow travellers is… try something different, something out of your comfort zone, and you might just be surprised – even with kids in tow. Even the most bum-numbing of rides can be a dream.”

Lynda’s fact file:

1) Silver Service coach travel between Dundee and Fiuggi was courtesy of  Leger Holidays– one of the few UK operators to provide luxury coach travel between the UK and Europe.

2) The seven-day package included return travel between Scotland and Italy, four nights’ accommodation in Fiuggi on a B&B basis, and excursions to Pompeii, Rome and Sorrento.

3) Montecassino Abbey is included as an extra excursion en route to Pompeii.

4) Pick up points for the same trip are available throughout Scotland, England and Wales and an excursion to the island of Capri can be added to your itinerary for around an extra 200 Euros.

But don’t forget to change your currency before you travel. MyTravelMoney.co.uk has the best rates.

For more information, visit Leger Holidays or call 0844 504 6251.

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