Four friends (women) are trying to decide whether to take a day trip from Venice to Padua or Bologna. Our interests are ancient sites, museums, food and drink. We would appreciate advice from those who might have been to both, or either. Thanks.

Either is well worth visiting. I would probably choose Padua because we were so impressed with the Giotto frescoes in the Cappella Scrovegni. Vicenza with its Palladian architecture is another very interesting day trip from Venice.

Of the two, I'd go back to Padova in a heartbeat. We were there last June and if you're about the food, the markets in Padova were simply amazing. A picnic lunch of prosciutto, pane, and ripe cherries in a bustling square is a special memory. And the walking tour we downloaded from the Padova tourism site made the whole city come to life for us.
http://tinyurl.com/28h6mqf I just loved the whole vibe of the place.

I'd go to Bologna because the food is kick-it-up a notch, even for that part of Italy. You can't really make a bad choice here.