I have a plan but rethinking one location and timeframe and would like a suggestion of an alternate city that doesn't require a lot of backtracking.
Here is the short version:
Leaving Canada Jan 22 arriving Zurich Jan 23
2 nights Chur for day trip to Liechenstein and Bernina Express to Italy
4 nights Milan for Milan, a rest day, day trip to Bergamo, maybe another to Como weather depending
29 nights Bologna for the city itself and day trips. One night for opening of Carnivale in Venice
5 nights Ravenna for mosaics, Rimini, San Marino
this is the part that needs consideration.....13 nights Padua it was meant as a stop for day trips to Verona, Vicenza and outlying Palladian villas (as well as Giotto frescos), but 13 nights seems too long now. I do want to be in Padua for night of March 16 as that is the first weekend the Brenta Canal trips to Venice start
10 nights Venice
Fly Venice to Canada, home for Easter
EDIT I am not planning activities in Bologna, rather letting energy, weather and interest lead me. But I am a senior with an art, history and architecture interest. I see this trip being a lot of museums and churches. To avoid overload, there may just be days at home knitting. Ravenna, Parma, Modena...all the small towns on the Milan-Bologna route are possibilities. I am gluten intolerant so no cooking classes, and as I am frugal, most likely no mosaic classes, but if the weather is good, I may finally start the travel painting and sketching I have thought about. I don't own a car any longer, but I may indulge in a Ferrari or Lambourgini test drive. I have a website of clothing and costume museums of Europe bookmarked. Florence has 3 I haven't seen. I am a quilter and a 'maker', so could wander looking at different supplies, or ethnological exhibits for rhe old regional costumes. I am also a birdwatcher, but it isn't the right season. The spare time in Racenna may morph into a drive trip around the Po Delta. Gardens and green space are always appreciated. As I have aged and traveled, big cities are less appealing, but since they house the art and museums, that is where I hang out. As I am avoiding Canada snow, I won't add time to Dolomites or Alps.
I had a few days in Florence 20+ years ago, but never made it across the bridge to Boboli Gardens or museums in that region...so could shift that between Milan and Bologna. I have also seen a number of references to Bessano del Grappa which isn't far from Padua. I know nothing about that city but Google photos look very pretty...almost like Forence. I also know little about Treviso. With my interests, do any of these warrant 6 or 7 nights, or any other recommendations?
Thanks.
Posted by
Washington DC
28708 posts
I like Padua a lot, but 13 days is a long time.
In addition to the places you've already mentioned--which I've either been to or have on my "Next Time" list--there's Ferrara. I haven't been there yet, but folks here have spoken of it highly. It's 31 minutes from Padua by Freccia trains or 54-67 minutes by regionale; Ravenna's as little as 72 minutes away by regionale.
I'd be worried about the weather at that time of year, but I realize you have a very different weather perspective.
Posted by
Maryland
917 posts
Seven or so weeks around northern Italy is really a great opportunity to see, travel, experience things in a way most of us can't. But, there aren't that many mosaics in Ravenna or frescos in Padua (although the Ravena Mosaics and the Giotto frescos are really great!). You don't provide much detail on how you like spending your days, but "29 days" in Bologna and "13 Days" in/near Padua leaves me wondering what you really like to do. Perhaps a fuller discussion of your interests and even a more week by week itinerary could help us help you more easily. Seven weeks, seven major agenda items perhaps (not necessarily seven distant locations). Things are very close together so more time in Switzerland (Lugano perhaps on the way to Milan) a week in Florence, or a week in there Dolomites could be nice contrasts with other things in your planning.
Posted by
11793 posts
We planned a Palladian tour of the Veneto several years ago. We visited buildings and bridges designed by the Architect Palladio. This focus gave our trip wonderful il insights into his works and a fun way to create an itinerary’. We went to Bassano del Grappa to see the replica of his bridge there on the Brenta River and toured several of the large villas he had designed.
We had done the Brenta River tour out of Venice on an earlier trip which led us to plan a Palladian trip.
Posted by
498 posts
Take a look at the Colli Euganei. Beautiful countryside very near Padova. Lots of vineyards, hot springs, hiking trails. Arqua Petrarca, Este, and walled Montagana are just a few of the charming small towns to explore.
http://www.parcocollieuganei.com/Eindex.php
Posted by
OP
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
Thanks for the replies.
@acraven, at one stag I thoight to spend some time in Ferrara...even this trip instead of Bologna, but for convenient trains and day trips, Bologna seems best for a long stay. I will definitely get there on some day trip.
@NickB, I am a 65 year old retiree, so I have plenty of time (if not money) on my hands, so I will become a temporary resident. I didn't list more day trips or plans, because I haven't made them yet. If weather is bad, I stay in and knit. Otherwise, a trip day is 6-9 hours. I'll edit original post with interests, rather than in this reply....in case it doesn't get read. It is a small region, but I hope to delve deeper into some of the small offerings at a slower pace. For example, there is supposedly 100 museums in Bologna, so that is plenty to keep me busy without needing to plan ahead. I don't have an interest in Switzerland or Dolomites at this time of year, as expect snow, and I am already running away from Ontario snow and cold. And my hiking and ski days are over.😊
@suki, I am glad I am not the only one looking for a Palladio theme trip. Do you remember how long you spent in Veneto doing that?....particularly how long in Padua?
@Brad, thanks for the link. That looks interesting, and how nice it is on public transit route.
So, there is the option of a week elsewhere, or stay the 13 days in Padua with more day trips than I have in mind at present. Alternatively, I could move a few more days to Bologna for some hill towns and adjust Padua to 8 or 9. I am open to more opinions.