Tour of Genoa and Day Trip to Portofino from Genoa

We went on this tour on 21st Sept. The bus arrived late and then by the time we walked to the bus it was already 9:45 and the tour was due to start at 9:30. The bus then took us to a lookout we had a chance to take photos by the time we got back down into the main part of Genoa we had been on the bus for about 40 minutes. This was then we assume supposed to be the start of a 2-hour walking tour that was advertised unfortunately this was not meant to be as by 11:10 a.m. the guide advised us that we were now having a 1-hour and 40-minute break he had shown us a couple of places but mostly said just go back and see them in your own time the tour had only been going for 1-hour and 20 min and we were now having a 1-hr and 40-min break this was ridiculous and definitely not what we paid for. After meeting the guide again we walked for 10-minutes to get back on the bus and then proceeded to have an appro 1 hr ride to our first stop, Santa Margarita. During the bus ride the guide proceeded to play on his phone occasionally show the driver who was still driving something funny on his phone and then went to sleep. When we arrived at our destination we were then told we had a one and a 1/2 hr break and our own time in Santa Margarita. We met our guide again spent 30 mins in a queue to get on a ferry to go round to Portofino where we were then told we had another one hour break where we could wonder round on our own time. After meeting our guide again when we were told to queue for the Genoa ferry. Unfortunately the ferry was late and we spent about another 30 min in a queue. We were then ushered onto the ferry by our guide with no tickets and told that we were going back to Genoa and we would arrive back about 6:30 and make sure you get off at the 3rd stop it was actually the 4th stop so not sure what would have happened if we had have been asked to produce a ticket. The guide just left us . This tour who was the most disappointing tour I have ever been on it was nothing like was advertised the ferry back to Genoa was so crowded we could not move let alone get near a window to take any sort of photo we were not told that will be put on a public ferry. We were however told that we're would have a cruise back from Portofino We have basically paid $150 each to be transported on a bus and a very crowded ferry. We did not get a 2-hour walking tour as advertised we got 30 minutes and the guide was unprofessional and lazy. We are requesting a FULL refund. Please advise .

This tour will provide you with some very basic information about Genoa. If you ask questions, you may receive some greater detail. Our tour guide was Milanese, and perhaps not as acquainted with the city as one would wish for a tour that is called a walking tour of Genoa. Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino are lovely to see. We were provided no information of their historical significance. Although I have rated this as average, fair would be a better rating.

whilst the walk around Genoa was okay,I expected at least a bit of info about the trip to Portofino. you might as well go by yourself as you learnt nothing ,you were just dropped off and picked up. We could have had some commentary on the way in the coach.

Antonella was very knowledgeable about the city , but tour started 30 minutes late. Apparently I was the only participant joining in Genoa and everyone else had come from Milan. I was at the designated meeting spot and finally found Antonella and she and I waited together for the bus. After the walking tour Antonella left us and another couple joined us (they had been unable to get to starting point on time due to delayed cruise ship docking) We went by bus to Santa Margherita. I asked our tour guide (think his name was Maurizio) which cafes might be good for lunch And he told me he didn’t know. (Huh?). If he did know he might have said to wait til we get to Portifino because there are dozens right on the water. We had learned upon being dropped off in Portofino that the three of us that joined the tour in Genoa would be returning on a different boat than everyone else. So that was reasonable, he told the couple that we would be getting off at the second stop and made no mention of that to me. In fact, it was actually the fourth stop. We were dropped off by the boat at a point pretty far from the starting point. I didn’t recognize my surroundings and asked the boatman which direction to walk to get to the museum (where we started) and he didn’t know. I hadn’t expected to double the walk time back to my hotel than it took to start. You should mention that in the tour description. I have taken a lot of tours and I have never felt less looked after. So I’m giving this a rating of 3 only because Antonella knew her stuff and I learned some things about Genoa. For the amount of thought that was provided to us in Santa Margherita and Portofino I could have probably bought my own boat tickets for less.

This tour was a great introduction to the city of Genoa, along with getting a taste of Saint Marguerite and Portofino. Guides were great.

Highly recommend this tour. We found this to be the least expensive, yet it offered the most diverse activities. The guides met us on time at the location they gave in the e-mail (in front of the museum). Do not follow the address as nobody knew what the two streets listed were. The bus and walking tour around Genoa was interesting and informative. The drive to Santa Margharita was beautiful. We loved the time in Santa Margharita having lunch and walking the quaint streets. Portofino was beautiful and the boat ride back to Genoa was refreshing and fun with beautiful scenery up the coast. The boat ride is better than the bus back. If leaving from the cruise ship be prepared for about 1/2 mile walk in the morning and about 1 mile walk back from the aquarium in the afternoon. We had plenty of time before the ship left port at 8:30 (we returned at 6:30)

Overall, we enjoyed our tour.Gave us an opportunity to see more of the Liguria region. Since it's new, thought there are a few kinks to work out. Since booking our tour, we were not informed, by email or other means, the meeting site had changed. Just as we were talking to the contact number, the bus pulled up, looking for us. We missed 20 minutes We thought it was a small tour for up to 18. We were combined with a tour group from Milan, so there were approx 30 people. The Genoa tour was informative, pointing out interesting historical sites and facts about Genoa,It lasted approx 1 1/2 hr, combining walking and bus riding. The female guide was very good. Bus ride comfortable. Sainta Margherita, we had a deliecious lunch at one of several places, . A few shops. Portifino, too. Both have high points to view village and sea.Small enough, felt we had enough time to walk around on our own. Was not told much about either village bythe guide. Area to meet to get on boat, crowded. Made it a little confusing. But we enjoyed the boat ride back to Genoa, seeing the coast.

My husband and I enjoyed this trip. At the beginning of the tour there was confusion as to the meeting place. The guide in Genoa was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Because of sea conditions we weren't able to take the boat to Portofino or back to Genoa, which was a disappointment but beyond the control of the tour. We ended up squeezing onto a public bus for the windy drive to Portofino. Both Santa Margharita and Portofino was well worth the trip. Since the boat trip was unavailable, on the return trip the tour put us in a car back to Genoa, which was appreciated as it was quicker.

Outstanding and enjoyed the boat ride back to Genoa. Portofino is absolutely beautiful.

First the good: both guides one for Genoa, one for the rest of the tour were very good, informative, and helpful. The sites were very nice and interesting. The trip back to Genoa by ferry boat, about 90 minutes along the coast with a couple of stops, was beautiful. Overall, I would recommend this tour. Now the bad: communication was a problem. The tour company changed the meeting point for starting the tour, and claimed they emailed everyone meeting in Genoa a couple of days earlier. However, those of us meeting the tour there were on our cruise ship that week, and not checking emails! We only found out where to meet because one of the other people in the group had a phone and called to see where they were. They could have easily stationed one of the guides at the original meeting point to direct us to the right place, but didn't, then more or less blamed us for making the group late! To top it off, when I eventually was able to check my email account, there was no email from them after all. After this rocky start, it WAS an enjoyable day, and I don't regret it at all, but they need to work on their communication and procedures.