Our travel group will be staying at San Bastiano villa, just outside Vicenza in September of 2017. Has anyone stayed there previously? If so, how was your experience? We are looking for suggestions of things to do, or see and places to eat in these general areas. Several of us have been to Venice before so are not as interested in that area. However, any ideas for Mantua, Ferrara, Vicenza, Verona or Padova are welcome. We are also looking for recommendations for prosecco tasting or grappa for that matter. Anyone do a Palladian tour? If so would welcome your critique of that experience.
Posted by
Washington DC
27144 posts
There's a walking tour of Vicenza, I believe. Probably arrangeable through the local tourist office. It's very pleasant to walk through the historic district. I think the T.O. has a map that flags Palladian buildings.
Although the Scrovegni Chapel is Padova's #1 sight (reservation required), the large historic district is filled with points of interest. Allow plenty of time there. The produce market is colorful, too.
Decades ago I read about a trip on the Brenta Canal between Padova and Venice, past numerous Palladian villas. Those trips still run, but you should verify that water levels are OK for the planned stops and check for recent reviews. What I read oh-so-many years ago was very negative but possibly applicable only to the specific day the traveler was on the cruise.
Posted by
3122 posts
Mantua and Ferrara have strong associations with music history as well as Renaissance history in general (Este and Gonzaga families, for instance). Lots to see, very beautiful. See, for example:
http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/italy/mantua/what-to-see
http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/italy/ferrara/what-to-see
Verona, too, is beautiful and the Roman amphitheater is stunning.
When I visited Padova (many more years ago than I care to admit) I was unimpressed by the town, and even the beloved frescoes in the Scrovegni (a.k.a. Arena) Chapel were dingy -- quite a disappointment from the exquisite photos in art history books. If reservations are required to see the frescoes these days, presumably there's been a conservation program too?
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
656 posts
I spent a few days in Vicenza this March. We visited the Palladian sites and stayed in one of the palazzos which added to the charm. I enjoyed the town a lot and visited Padova from Vicenza. My husband and I enjoyed the Scrovegni Chapel. I liked Vicenza more than Padova overall. . We spent 3 days in Ferrara because I ran the 1/2 marathon. Ferrara was okay and I liked seeing the Castle and the half was great but I'd recommend it for a few hours. Verona- I spent 4 weeks there in February so I feel that I saw everything that I wanted. More tourists than the other towns. I liked seeing the Arena, the tombs, and the half marathon was great since you finished running through the Arena. Easy to get to Brescia and other towns from Verona also. Can't comment on the tastings although we had prosecco in Conegliano (another half marathon) and grappa with the family.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
In 2009 when I saw them, the frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel looked like they were painted yesterday, so they've definitely been cleaned since epltd saw them. I agree with acraven that while the frescoes are the highlight of Padova, the rest of the town is well worth 1-2 days of exploring.
I also loved Ferrara. In the city center, everyone rides bicycles - you'll think you're in Copenhagen or Amsterdam.
Compared to these two, Verona is more touristy, which doesn't mean it's not also worthwhile. I saw Mantova but don't have strong memories of it one way or another, except that I saw it right after being in Cremona, and preferred Cremona (although I see that's a bit far from Vicenza for a day trip).
Rick covers Padova and Verona well in his Italy and Venice books; he doesn't cover Verona, Mantova, or Cremona.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Ferrara is beautiful, one of my favorite cities. Padova has a few well-connected areas that are worth seeing; the Chapel frescoes are beautiful, and it's always nice to see artwork in the place for which it was created.
Mantova is also worth a stop; I also enjoyed Cremona.
I was in Parma during an earthquake, so there was no entry to any sights as soon as the first tremor was felt, but lots of people were ordering extra wine with lunch.
If you can fit Ravenna into your itinerary, you might enjoy the mosaics and the town center.
Posted by
west Chester, PA
370 posts
Hello Steven,
While we have not stayed at San Bastiano, we have stayed in Vicenza twice and really enjoyed the town. It was our base for an easy (regional) trains for day trips to Venice, Verona and Padua. There is an american base near Vicenza and last summer there was a baseball game going on (we weren't able to go, although it was very tempting). The town has some great little places to eat, fun shops and there are a few churches to visit. Palladio was born there and the arches/architecture is very impressive. Prosecco flows everywhere (yeah!) and Bassano del grappa is home of grappa, and not that far north. We are planning to visit there next Sept also.
Marie