Have you ever made this travel planning mistake?
 

I can’t believe I did this. I’ve been finalizing my travel plans for next week’s trip to Italy. Part of my plan includes a day trip to the Veneto Hill Towns from Venice on a Sunday with a tour company. I emailed the company to reconfirm and their response was, “You are the only one booked so far….can you go on our Tuesday tour…there are 4 people already confirmed…” Since I don’t want to miss this tour (one was already cancelled on my in Florence), I decided to rearrange things and go to Padova (and Cittadella) on Sunday, rather than Tuesday – a simple reverse of those two days. Well, and here’s the punch line: I’ve already been to Padova! I was there back in May 2003 with my Mom on a Mediterranean cruise. I totally forgot about being there. I do remember now it wasn’t a memorable town because we ended up there on the day that most places (museums, sights, etc) were closed). Now I need to figure out another day trip: Vincenza? Ferrara? or maybe a nice relaxing day in Venice with a visit to Burano. I don’t think Cittadella is a large enough town for a full day to visit.

Has anyone ever done this? Am I loosing my mind? I certainly can’t say I’ve traveled TOO much!

Good grief!

Monica ((F))

I'm speechless! I bet you called a friend too to tell her all about it.

Yes, I did flygirl! And I emailed my mom, dad, ...... ;)

Monica ((F))

Good thing you remembered, so you can change plans.

Otherwise, imagine the sense of <i>deja vu</i> you would have experienced!

Yes, I feel like I have an extra day in Italy now...so to speak.

Monica ((F))

i LOVED vicenza, if that helps!
it has an amazing collection of palladio's architectrue.

the main plaza is very impressive.

Thanks. I just finished going over my Italy travel books and plan to head to Vicenza. The villas sound fabulous!

Monica ((F))

At least you remembered you've been there!

When I was 8 and 9, my parents took me &amp; my brother to Europe for 2 consecutive summers. I had no recollection of where we went.

When I started traveling to Europe by myself, I went to quite a number of places which I actually had visited before and didn't know about it. When I returned home and showed my family my pictures, they teased me and said, &quot;You've been there once already!&quot;
[Two such examples are Blois in the Loire Valley, and Rhine falls in Switzerland.]

Anyway, Monica, Vicenza should be a nice town to visit, esp with the Palladian Villas. But just want to make sure that you did visit the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova last time? It's an amazing place you don't want to miss.

Wherever you go, hope you have a great trip. My brother-in-law loved Vicenza.

On one trip from Vancouver to London, I initiated conversation with a young guy seated next me. He told me he had booked a connector to Dublin the day before we arrived.
His first trip and time zone challenged.
Probably not the first, nor the last.

I'm going to be the voice of opposition and vote for the leisurely day in Venice, visiting Burano. I loved it there, and was so nice just to wander and soak in the atmosphere. So not an overpowering touristy feeling there. I've been out to Lido as well, and it was interesting - a different, more resort feel to that island.

I lived in Vicenza 15 years. If you're interested Palladian archtecture then come here. The Teatro Olimpico in town, and the Rotonda a short bus ride from town are worth the trip. The Basilica on Monte Berico and view are wonderful.

You've been to Padua on a day the things worth visiting were closed?

So you don't want to go there on a day they're open?

That really is losing your mind. If you haven't seen the Scrovegni chapel, you're absolutely insane even thinking of going anywhere else.

Confirm that booking now.

Good to see you back on the forum Monica. I remember seeing your posts when I first started visiting this site in 1997.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

Yes, CotswoldScouser, I might be insane. I haven't visited the Scrovegni chapel (at that time it wasn't opening till 7pm and Mom and I had to get back to Venice that day). We did visit the Basilica di Sant'Antonio. My thinking since the main sight I wanted to visit was the Scrovegni chapel, I should pick a city that I could spend a whole day in with more sights to see. On the otherhand, Venice is my favorite city and a relaxing day might be right for me. I can at least make my decision the day before since I don't have to book train reservations in advance. Thank goodness I am able to travel a couple times a year. If I miss Padova this time, it will be there for me another time. I do want to return to the Venetro area and spend a week in an apartment with a rental car so I can really see the area.

Hi Deepa, I've been here the whole time! I'm still addicted to fodors. I'm planning to meet some fodorites while in Italy too. Nice to see you here too!

Monica ((F))