Hi there. We're looking forward to this tour in 2013. We've already been on several other R.S. tours. My question: anyone out there who has been on this tour, can you let us know the names of the hotels? Especially interested in the first and last one (Padova and Lake Orta). It will help us decide on whether or not to tack extra time on and whether or not to stay in the tour hotels. Thanks in advance! Laura
Posted by
Atlanta
4883 posts
Laura, We have been on a number of RS tours and have always been able to get the info about the first and last hotels directly from the tour office. It has been our experience that staying in the tour hotels both before and after the tours is a lot easier than packing up and then unpacking again as required by a move. Hope this helps.
TC
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1825 posts
I took this tour in 2008 and seem to recall our hotels were the same as mentioned by the last post. BTW, I have taken 5 RS tours and this is absolutely my favorite. You will have a great time.
Posted by
Kingston, ON, Canada
97 posts
Laura, WE took this trip in September 2011.We arrived in Venice for a week prior to our tour and took the train to Padua on the Monday morning. We stayed at a quirky but fun little hotel in Padua, called Albergo al Fagiano. It is right off the Prato della Valle, the main square and everything is close by. At Lake Orta, we stayed at La Bussola. This hotel is about a 7-10 minute walk to the lake. The airport in Milan is about 90 minutes away. We stayed in Milan for another couple of days at the end of the tour.A great tour and we are sure you will love it.
Posted by
OP
Williamstown, MA
260 posts
thanks for the help, everyone (although can't say I understand one of the lecture/comments (g) posted here. We're vets of R.S's tours as well, and that's the reason we asked about feedback. Some of the hotels have been great, while others I wouldn't have stayed in. If the hotels for Padova and Orta are both fine (and yes, I will ask, of course, if they know the names of the hotels when we book) then we may just elect to stay there before and after. If not, we'll choose another. Actually, we stayed in the Hotel Toscanelli in Padova on a previous tour and it was just fine....
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
894 posts
Did this tour in 2007 - and stayed at the same hotels as mentioned in the replies. I enjoyed Padua and would like to spend some more time there (I had chosen to stay in Venice before the tour). Lake Orta is a lovely village with some beautiful old buildings but there is not much to do (it was raining and quite cool when we arrived). The day we spent there was enough for me. The hotel is a short walk outside the village. It is pleasant but nothing special. The hotel in Padua is definitely more interesting, its close to the Basilica and it is easy to walk to most of the sights in this interesting city. We also had a very good meal the first night at the restaurant next door - not sure if it was part of the hotel or not. Padua has a great market for buying picnic fare - but it closes at 1.00 pm.