Mantua/Mantova
 

Working on a new driving trip for fall 2014. Never been to Mantua. Thinking about 3 nights and 2 days. Worth a stop? Car friendly places to stay in city central?

Thanks in advance to the always helpful Fodorites.

Loved Mantua. It was gorgeous. Here are my photos of it - www.pbase.com/annforcier/bergamo_mantova

I did it by train as a day trip from Verona, but when I was originally planning that trip I had planned to be driving and stay there overnight. I found several hotels near the train station that either had parking or looked like public parking would be OK. Now that I have been there I know it's really a short walk from the train station. They do have limited driving in the historic center, but that is a very small area so staying/parking outside it is not a problem. There were a few hotels 'inside' the historic center that you had to get a 'pass' or drive/park and I would not bother with them. Really, from outside the limited driving area to the main squares is no more than 5 or 10 min walk.

A big thumbs up for Mantova!

Plus the time you are proposing is zucca/pumpkin season and the tortelli di zucca (pumpkin ravioli) are out of this world.

We did a day-trip there from Verona this past April - just like isabel did. We preferred Verona, but Mantua was nice. I think 3 nights/2 days is about 1 day too long, however.

Stu Dudley

Loved Mantova. Yes, it is very different than Verona which we really liked, but equally as nice. We stayed 3 nights and had no problem entertaining ourselves. We did do a drive to the surrounding area one of the days, but it would shave been fine staying in Manotva the day. Like most of Italy it has the Traffic limited zones in the central historic portion. There are parking lots scattered outside the zone and it's an easy walk into the central historic area. The BnB we stayed at, Palazzo Arrivabene, arranged for our driving/parking inside the zone. It was no problem. Highly recommend Palazzo Arrivabene.

Thanks for all the responses. Saw Verona last year. If we decide to do a day trip, thinking Vicenza or Padua?

yestravel--thanks for the B and B suggestion. Looks great.

I also loved Mantua - a unique place with a large lake right in town. Very underrated place you rarely hear about anyone going to! That said a day is enough though it could make a nice base.

Parma too I loved as a city off the usual tourist radar.

The best place to visit in Mantova is of course the Gonzaga castle. A good guide will tell you the whole story of this famous family (wars, love stories and murders included), of the town and of the whole area.
Monova is also a good base for day trips to Verona, Lake Garda, Cremona, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Rovigo, Chioggia and Ferrara.

Boat trips down the Po river up to Ferrara and through the Laguna up to Venice: http://www.motonaviandes.it/it/index-fluviali.php

Padua has the fabulous Scrovegni Chapel well worth a visit just to see that. That said, the first time we tried to drive to Padua, we ended up leaving because the traffic was a mess and we were concerned we'd take a wrong turn into a ZTL.
Vicenzo is a bit closer to Mantova and we spent a couple days there on two different trips.

The B&B was like staying in a private old Italian villa which it is. We were the only guests when we were there. The owners, a son and his mother, are both delightful. The mother speaks little English, but the son is fluent in English.

Thanks again to all for suggestions

Vicenza is charming with beautiful architecture. I liked it more than Padua.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Bibiena Theatre.
It is like a jewellery box and Mozart played there

Another big thumbs up for Mantova and Palazzo Arrivabene. Here's my Trip Advisor Review -

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Also agree with the love for Mantova. Fwiw, we also stayed at Palazzo Arrivabene with a car. Loved the food there.