Padua, Ferrara recommendations

Chani, I lied the hotel al Santo. It's less than a block from the basilica of St. Anthony, and very near the tram. Rates were good, staff was nice, breakfast was good and pleasant, and it was quiet. It did have some of the most unusual art I've ever seen in a hotel – I believe done by one of the owners.

I found the basilica to be beautiful, and also really enjoyed the botanical garden (although I'm not sure what it would be like in February). If you go to the basilica, there's also an interesting meeting hall from one of the early fraternities; it's on the right side of the plaza, as you're facing the basilica (easy to miss), and it has some interesting art.

Enjoy your trip – I'm jealous!

I enjoyed Padua as much or more than any other location in Italy for its small town charm yet mix of things to do. My favorite was a tour of the University of Padua, where you can see one of the first medical ampitheaters, ie a permanent anatomical theater used when the study of anatomy was not sanctioned by the Catholic Church. Very interesting tour, perhaps 90 minutes? Get there EARLY to get a ticket at the ticket booth as some tours sell out, its also tricky bec the booth closes for lunch--- I don't believe there is a way to order tickets in advance. Check the schedule. More impressions of the tour are here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187867-d246566-Reviews-University_of_Padua-Padua_Province_of_Padua_Veneto.html.

Train to Venice takes 20-30 minutes, very easy. Train station close to town center.
Enjoy every minute.

The baptistry, adjacent to the duomo, is completely frescoed by Menabuoi, and well worth visiting. Also in the medieval center, see the Palazzo della Ragione and Piazza dei Signori. If you didn't get to the Museo Eremitani when you were at the Scrovegni Chapel, do it this time. It has a large collection of works by such painters as Giotto, Veronese, and Tiepolo, as well as an archaeological collection. Do have a coffee or something at the historic Caffe Pedrocchi.

Hi, Chani!

Padova: I have stayed at Hotel M14 near Prato delle Valle. Very clean, modern, will loan or rent you a bike, there's onsite parking if you have a car. Breakfast may be extra. A single non-refundable room in February is $56US. There's a tram/bus hub just a block or so away, the hotel is on a very quiet side street.

In Ferrara (spend 2 nights if you can), I like Hotel Corte Estense, I paid €70 with breakfast during high season. Again on a quiet side street around the corner from the cathedral and museum, a couple of blocks from Castello Estense. There is a great little restaurant on the main street in the same block as the hotel, they serve only regional foods. I'll try to find the name of it. Ferrara has more sights than you might expect. The Jewish museum is set to open (or reopen) in October. I missed it in July :-(

In Venice I like Locanda San Marcuolo. about 50 meters from the vaporetto stop. It's in a quiet area, has an elevator and includes breakfast. Tam Tam is a nearby restaurant in the Ghetto, serves wines from Israel. If you have time, go to Torcello for the mosaics in the ancient church. It's kind of a long walk from the vaporetto stop, but worth the walk. No bridges so it's easy on the knees.

Have a great trip, as usual!

I highly recommend the Hotel Al Cason in Padua. We stayed there several nights a few years ago, and I still get sentimental when I recall the kindness with which we were treated. Family run, modern, expansive breakfast, restaurant and bar; our double room was huge and the bathroom was large, and all spotlessly clean. Maybe ten minute walk to train station and access to city bus close by. We liked walking around the Prato, especially at night, and the university area. Near the basilica is Donatello's Gattamelta ( I love to say that! ) , the first free standing equestrian statue since classical times, or something like that. You have seen the Scrovegni Chapel, but if the mood hits I can recommend the smaller and longer but more expensive evening/night tours available by reservation. I think they went as late as maybe 10 PM . We spent a day in Ferrara this May. The TI by the castle provided a good map and booklet with several suggested walking tours. Jewish history and the Estes date to the 1500's. The synagogues were closed due to earthquake damage, and it wasn't until we had almost reached the entrance to the Jewish cemetery after a cross city walk that I realized it was probably closed during Passover. It was. BTW, I was the poster inquiring about Seders in Italy last spring....it didn't pan out. Have a great trip, and happy holidays.

Thank you all for the hotel recommendations. I am set. But I'd love to have more of the sightseeing ideas, and restaurants and anything else you think of.

Special thanks to Adam - the bus looks like exactly what I need and stops just a few meters from my Ferrara hotel. Zoe - I would love to stay longer in Ferrara, but then I wouldn't have as much time in Spain. I figure I'll be back to that part of Italy sooner than later anyway! As for Israeli wines, I'll have some great ones ready when you visit Israel. Denny, I hadn't planned on revisiting the Scrovegni Chapel, but you've put it back into my head. I've learned so much more about them since I first saw them in 2008, that I think I will go back. Thanks. Luckily my 2 days in Ferrara do not include any Jewish holidays.

This trip started because I was planning to visit Buenos Aires and realized I'd be flying home right before the beginning of Carnivale, so I quickly booked a room in the Dorsoduro (Santa Margherita Guest House - which is new for me) before everything sold out. The South American adventure never materialized, but I couldn't just waste a hotel reservation for the opening weekend of Carnivale, so I'm going back to Italy (was there in May) for a week and then on to Spain.