Padua - Vicenza or Mantua?

I love both Padova and Mantova, but Padova gets the edge. If you want something smaller, Este.

In early October, I stayed in Vicenza for three nights and loved it. It's a smaller city that's worth a day's visit in itself and is in a great location to visit Padova - inexpensive, frequent train service makes it easy. I've never been to Mantua but I think you might enjoy the laid back, far niente atmosphere of Vicenza. The big draw of the city is the Palladian architecture especially the theater. I stayed at the Hotel Campo Marzio. If you chose to go there, make reservations directly with the hotel for a discounted rate. In Vicenza there's a self-service restaurant that is filled with locals. It's called Righetti and is on the Piazza del Duomo. You take a table, pour your drinks (soda, wine, beer) order a primo piatti, then go back for a seondo followed by dessert. If you want an espresso, they will serve it to you. On the way out, stop at the cashier and tell him what you've eaten. Good basic food at reasonable prices.

I liked both Vicenza and Padova. Vicenza feels smaller and less hectic, which you might prefer. If you're into activity, I think 3 nights there would be too many and would suggest Padova instead. I'd have been antsy after 24 hours, I think.

With respect to the weather, I am doubtful that you'd find Trento much cooler than Vicenza or Padova in the summer. It was very, very hot in Bressanone and Bolzano when I was there in July 2015. Those cities are north of Trento--near the mountains but not at significant altitude. Unfortunately, a good number of hotelkeepers think that being near the mountains means you don't need to provide air conditioning. Beware.

Hello,
I suggest Mantova, wonderful city center and nice for passegiata, great for arts (Palazzo Te and Palazzo Ducale, taste the Sbrisolona cake), and Padova (Cappella degli Scrovegni for sure!). In Padova, you surely enjoy the navigation on Brenta river (battelli del Brenta) towards the Ville Venete (Villa Pisani maybe the best).

Ps. fyi, Mantova has been the city with the best quality of life in Italy in 2016

Ciao
Dario

Padova is a marvelous place with Scrovegni Chapel and St. Anthony Basilica, 2 world famous sights. Modern tram system makes it very easy to get around. Lovely historic areas to walk around. Rick's book has excellent information about what to see and do there, much more than Vicenza, which is an easy day trip, 15 minutes by train.

Spent 1 day in Padova and several in Vicenza this past year. Liked both but prefer Vicenza for more than one day. Highly recommend the chapel in Padova and I also liked the St Anthony church etc. We stayed in a Palladium Palazzo in Vicenza and loved it and enjoyed seeing all the various buildings etc. Fun to walk around and mingle with the locals. Haven't been to Mantova yet.

car or train?

No car, just train or bus.

I would choose Vicenza - per capita the richest city in Italy.

However, Padova is probably a more convenient fit for train logistics. So, if you have 3 nights, then I would lean towards Padova, and visit Vicenza as a full day trip.

Mantova is lovely, but maybe a little less convenient.

Vicenza