June - Italy Village Tour. First two nights in Padua (Padova) - I have hotel reservations for 3 nights before the tour at the same motel. Looks as if lots to see, to do. Interested in any recommendations - but most specifically; a hike. Eight to twelve miles would be nice. Mostly nature as opposed to all urban would be better. River walk - maybe? Option also - a river cruise to Venice, any with knowledge? Thank you. And be careful out there.
Posted by
Northern Minnesota
792 posts
Is the first hotel still Hotel Al Fagiano?
Posted by
Washington DC
28372 posts
I haven't taken one, but there are cruises on the Brenta Canal, stopping at a few Palladian villas along the way. This is info I put together last year, so details definitely need to be verified:
The boat Il Burchiello makes half-day (€55) and full-day (€99) trips from Venice (Pontile della Pieta, Riva degli Schiavoni) on Tue, Thu and Sat; from Padua (Pontile del Portello pier) Wed, Fri and Sun. Be sure water level is OK; if it's too low, the cruise may turn into an overpriced bus trip. Full-day cruises stop for tours at Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta), Villa Pisani and either Villa Widmann or Barchessa Valmarana. Villa Pisani is surrounded by huge gardens. Lunch at Il Burchiello in Oriago is optional. Alternatively, ACTV’s Bus 53 runs about twice per hour from Piazzale Roma to Padua, stopping at key Brenta villages.
You can find info about each of the referenced villas on the internet to see whether you think you'd enjoy visiting them.
Although I quite enjoyed walking around Padua, I have no suggestions for a hike.
Posted by
OP
89 posts
Yes - first hotel of tour - and my additional nights are Hotel Alfagiano in Padua.