Looking for feedback/comments from anyone regarding walking from the Padova train station to the hotel 1.2 miles away. It looks like a straight path, and after 16 hours of flying, I would welcome the walk. Is this a safe, smart, reasonable thing to do there? Fliying in June 4th a couple days ahead of the tour to rest up. If anyone else is arriving early, I'm open to connecting, grabbing a spritz and walking around in awe while adjusting to the jet lag...
Grazie
It's been a few years but it's pretty safe in all of central Padua. I also think it might be a little uphill from the train station to the tour hotel near the Basilica Saint Antonio. I was with my brother and SIL and we just took a quick taxi so no personal experience except from walking around Padua and back to the hotel.
I'm glad you are going early! I didn't and regretted it because there were lots of things I didn't get done. The botanical gardens are awesome. I probably would have booked a visit to the Scrovegni Chapel before the tour just because you only get 15 minutes in the chapel (and 15 minutes in a dehumidifying room before your visit) and that was not enough for me! This chapel is jaw dropping.
IF you are in to relics, be sure to see the relics of Saint Anthony in the Basilica - jawbone, vocal cords and tongue I think. Lots of relic opportunities this tour including St Catherine's finger (?) and head in Siena.
There is a forum friend who just finished this tour and they may have walked from the station. They are currently in France and I know she has had a long day today with another one tomorrow. I will message her to see if she can reply Monday or so unless others answer!
It is up hill and we did it to an air bnb just before St Antony’s. It was hot and it was miserable. It wasn’t dangerous at all but if it is warm outside you will regret it. We took the tram to the station when we left.
Why not just take the tram from the train station to nearest stop by your hotel?
Looking for feedback/comments from anyone regarding walking from the Padova train station to the hotel 1.2 miles away. It looks like a straight path, and after 16 hours of flying, I would welcome the walk
We walked it from the train station and it seemed safe to us. From what I remember, the terrain was relatively flat. At some point along the way it started sprinkling, so we stopped under a canopy and pulled out rain jackets.
Enjoy the tour!
We walked from the train station to our hotel which was on one of the main squares (Piazza dei Signori). I do remember it being well over a mile. However I recall it being flat, we did cross a bridge or two. We walked to the train station a few times as we did day trips to Verona and Vicenza.
We did the Village Italy tour last month. Our Padova hotel was Albergo al Fagiano and it's either a 30 min walk or 9-17 min tram ride, per Google maps. We usually walk between train stations and hotels, but that day we rode the tram (don't remember why).
I'd wait and decide the day you arrive and choose based on weather and time of day. Padova in June runs from 78 to 84 degrees for the high temps. I'm not keen toting my bags in hot weather. And safe or not, I wouldn't be comfortable walking in a strange city, looking out of place, after dark.
Hi, Dawn: Pam might have meant me, although she hasn’t asked me to respond yet.
We did this tour in early May, and had a great time. However, we took the tram from the bus station to the tour hotel area. (We stayed at a different hotel pre-tour, but in the same area, near St Anthony’s Basilica.)
I think walking would be perfectly safe and reasonable; whether or not it is “smart” would depend on the weather, how tired you are, and how much luggage you have!
I second Pam’s suggestions of the Basilica, Scrovegni Chapel (if you can still get tickets; they sell out quickly,) and the Botanical Gardens. We also enjoyed a great MC Escher exhibit at the Centro Culturale San Gaetano.
We also made our own visit to the Palazzo della Ragione, and we were glad we did, because the city tour with the group did not include it, much to our surprise.
This was our second time to take this tour, so I can say with reasonable confidence that you’re going to have a great time.
@Jane....hahaha...I DID mean you! Thanks for responding. I wasn't sure if you and Mr. Jane walked from the station as that seems like something the 2 of you would do, hahaha.
I'm not sure what I was thinking of as the googlemaps breakdown shows a gain of 5m and loss of 4m between the station and the Al Fagiano hotel where the RS tours usually stay. This tour was the 3rd in a row that long ago Fall so memory is clearly faulty.
Well, I am apparently remembering a hill that did not exist. I suppose my subconscious is trying to justify why I enjoyed that walk so little other than the heat that day…..
@Beth....our "remembering brains" are apparently in league with each other, hahaha!
