Genoa
Genoa (Genova) is the bustling capital city of the Liguria region in northwest Italy, a historic port famous for its maritime power, stunning Palazzi dei Rolli (Renaissance palaces), vibrant old town (caruggi), and as the birthplace of pesto and Christopher Columbus. Liguria itself is a picturesque, mountainous coastal region on the Ligurian Sea, known for its dramatic scenery, riviera towns like Portofino, and unique cuisine, with Genoa serving as its economic and cultural hub.