Genoa, Italy

The first stop on my Med Cruise aboard the MSC Splendida was Genoa, Italy.  This was my first time really exploring Italy in thirty years and it's as wonderful as I remember.  When most people think of visiting Italy, they think of Rome or Venice.  But, I think Genoa is a hidden gem.  Very Italian in all of the best ways, but with not nearly as many tourists.  

It's the largest seaport in Italy and one of the largest cities on the Mediterranean Sea.  Called "La Superba" or the proud one, she has much to be proud of.  The city center was declared a Unesco site in 2006 and Genoa is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

We booked an excursion through the ship and spent the morning exploring the maze of squares and narrow alleys of the historical city center.   Matt and I typically do our own thing in the ports and avoid ship based excursions.  But, I really enjoyed this tour and it was a great way to see the old city center.  We were even the surprise guests at an Italian wedding.

The group was almost evenly split between English speaking and Italian, so at each stop the guide would let half the group take a look around while explaining everything in one language and then we would switch.  It was really very efficient.  The guide was very informative and the pace was perfect to really see the city and take a lot of photographs.

We ended the tour with a relaxing stop for some chilled white wine and Genoese style focaccia with onions.  We then had some free time before heading back to the ship for lunch.  In those few hours, I was completely taken with Genoa, Italy.

I'm sorry there are so many, but I just love looking back over these photographs.  It's just such a beautiful place.

Bye, Mom!  I'm off to the bar!

We sailed away as the sun was setting over this wonderful city

and I promised myself that I would return someday.

It's a charming combination of modern and ancient, scruffy and elegant, medieval and baroque, churches and cafes.  The perfect base to explore the Italian Riviera.  I didn't  know that much about this city before the cruise, but it was the highlight of the trip for me.  I can't wait to get back! 

Have you been to Genoa?  What did you think?

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  *I was a guest of MSC Cruises for a three night #MSCBlogCruise for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

We share moments...

She sat alone quietly in the backseat of the parked car.
She smiled shyly as the wedding photographer buzzed around taking photographs through the windows.
Up ahead in the distance, she could see a crowd gathering outside of the city hall.

A group of tourists walked by following a guide with a paddle.
She was a bit embarrassed when they noticed the white dress and veil.
"It's a bride!"

She had to smile.  She was a bride.  She was about to marry the man of her dreams.
It was almost time.

The tourists walked on past.  It was now time to go.
The car slowly advanced the short distance to the entrance of the hall.

Her handsome groom was so eager to greet her.

He rushed to open her door and hand her a bouquet of flowers.

Once she saw him, her face broke into a huge smile and tears glittered in her eyes.

As she emerged from the car with the gentle assistance of her future husband,

they couldn't resist stealing a sweet kiss.  

A loud cheer rose up from the crowd.

 Family and friends mingled with strangers and tourists.

It seemed no one could resist clicking photographs of the beautiful couple.

All of us beaming and happy to be a part of this sweet life moment.

 The joy and excitement was contagious.

The couple was so generous.

She laughed and waved to us all.  He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

They didn't seem to mind that a group straight off the cruise ship

had happened upon their happy event and wanted to be a part of it.

A few quick words from friends.  A quick hug to someone special in the crowd.

Then they were guided up the stairs and into the building for the ceremony.

I was walking through the charming Italian city of Genoa with a tour group when we all

found ourselves the surprise guests at this wedding.

It was such a special moment and I admit that I cried as if they were close friends.

 
There is just something about weddings, isn't there?

“Some moments are nice,

some are nicer,

 some are even worth writing about.”

― Charles Bukowski

You know how I love a good travel moment.

Everyone experiences those special moments that really make you stop and feel.

They ground you, excite you or bring a tear to your eye.

It's a connection to a time, place or person that you don't ever want to forget.

And I want to read about yours, so welcome to my new monthly link up!
I so hope that you will join in and share your stories.

<a href="http://www.selenatheplaces.com/p/why-travel.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz69/Selena_jones/36a963d8-84a2-4909-9670-5163df73a06f_zps89ca1c0d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 36a963d8-84a2-4909-9670-5163df73a06f_zps89ca1c0d.jpg"/></a>

1. Share a moment.  This is where your storytelling skills come in to play.  

2. Grab the the button. (Let me know if you have any trouble with it.)

3. This is a Monthly Link Up.  We will do this on the first Friday of each month.

4. Connect!   Visit several (or all) of the links and read their stories.  Be sure to leave a comment. 

I hope this encourages you to be on the look out for those special moments and stories.

The link up will be open for several weeks, so check back for more moments.

Will you share a moment?

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