Nearly 5 weeks in Italy – Fantastico!
Oct 29th, 2019, 02:30 AM
#22
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danon, It’s good to know that it is possible to get tickets for the Scrovegni chapel, even if not purchased in advance. And yes, it was a long walk to and from the train station, and not a lot of fun in the rain. But the chapel was fantastic, even if we were only allowed 15 minutes.
Dayle, I’m so glad you’re finding this helpful! I remember using your trip report for Sicily, which I found extremely helpful, so it pleases me to return the favor!
bon_voyage, Vicenza is definitely worth a visit! Of course, we don’t want it to get too discovered, or else it might lose its charm! ��
Dayle, I’m so glad you’re finding this helpful! I remember using your trip report for Sicily, which I found extremely helpful, so it pleases me to return the favor!
bon_voyage, Vicenza is definitely worth a visit! Of course, we don’t want it to get too discovered, or else it might lose its charm! ��
Oct 29th, 2019, 05:19 AM
#24
Original Poster
Exploring the Veneto with Roberta Parlato
We drove about an hour to our first stop, Villa Barbara, one of Palladio's more better-known villas. Built in the late 1500s with beautiful frescoes by Veronese. Unfortunately, no photos of the interior are allowed, so you'll have to visit to see for yourself!
We also had a fantastic lunch at the Villa at their restaurant, De gusto. Great fresh food - the charcuterie platter that we had was one of the best of our trip, and was, surprisingly, not that expensive. It's popular in the area as a place to dine. I didn't take any photos (sorry!) but here's the website -- you might get a bit dizzy looking at it, but it's got a warm, lovely interior, and very comfortable for a relaxing meal. DeGusto - Gusteria Tipica -
We drove about an hour to our first stop, Villa Barbara, one of Palladio's more better-known villas. Built in the late 1500s with beautiful frescoes by Veronese. Unfortunately, no photos of the interior are allowed, so you'll have to visit to see for yourself!
We also had a fantastic lunch at the Villa at their restaurant, De gusto. Great fresh food - the charcuterie platter that we had was one of the best of our trip, and was, surprisingly, not that expensive. It's popular in the area as a place to dine. I didn't take any photos (sorry!) but here's the website -- you might get a bit dizzy looking at it, but it's got a warm, lovely interior, and very comfortable for a relaxing meal. DeGusto - Gusteria Tipica -
Oct 29th, 2019, 05:25 AM
#25
Original Poster
Villa Barbaro
We were trying to avoid the hideous modern art sculptures that were planted dead center of the gardens as we approached!
Looking toward the village from the front of the Villa
We were trying to avoid the hideous modern art sculptures that were planted dead center of the gardens as we approached!
Looking toward the village from the front of the Villa
Oct 29th, 2019, 05:35 AM
#26
Original Poster
Villa Emo...a real delight
This was a charmer. Where Villa Barbara was grand and elegant, Villa Emo has an intimacy and sweetness about it. Palladio was much more involved, too, in the interior. At Villa Barbara, Veronese created his own artwork, but it wasn't under Palladio's direction. At Villa Emo, Palladio had much more control. We enjoyed both and both are worth seeing, but Villa Emo is more comfortable and more accessible (in real terms, too - photography of the interiors was allowed here).
This was a charmer. Where Villa Barbara was grand and elegant, Villa Emo has an intimacy and sweetness about it. Palladio was much more involved, too, in the interior. At Villa Barbara, Veronese created his own artwork, but it wasn't under Palladio's direction. At Villa Emo, Palladio had much more control. We enjoyed both and both are worth seeing, but Villa Emo is more comfortable and more accessible (in real terms, too - photography of the interiors was allowed here).
Oct 29th, 2019, 08:18 AM
#27
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Originally Posted by progol
danon, It’s good to know that it is possible to get tickets for the Scrovegni chapel, even if not purchased in advance. And yes, it was a long walk to and from the train station, and not a lot of fun in the rain. But the chapel was fantastic, even if we were only allowed 15 minutes.
Dayle, I’m so glad you’re finding this helpful! I remember using your trip report for Sicily, which I found extremely helpful, so it pleases me to return the favor!
bon_voyage, Vicenza is definitely worth a visit! Of course, we don’t want it to get too discovered, or else it might lose its charm! ��
Dayle, I’m so glad you’re finding this helpful! I remember using your trip report for Sicily, which I found extremely helpful, so it pleases me to return the favor!
bon_voyage, Vicenza is definitely worth a visit! Of course, we don’t want it to get too discovered, or else it might lose its charm! ��
it is probably wiser to book ahead .
Oct 29th, 2019, 09:36 AM
#28
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Enjoying the pictures progol. So the Padova station is a long walk to/from the Chapel? The apartment we have booked for our 4 days in Padova is rather near the station. I thought it would be a good location since we plan to do a daytrip to Vicenza. It looks like there is city bus service from the station down a main street to central Padova so I thought we could use that if needed on our Padova day.
Like many places in northern Italy, it seems Padua/Padova has two names. Would Padova be the Italian version? Padua is what, French? I don't know any French really so excuse my ignorance....
Like many places in northern Italy, it seems Padua/Padova has two names. Would Padova be the Italian version? Padua is what, French? I don't know any French really so excuse my ignorance....
Oct 29th, 2019, 10:26 AM
#29
Original Poster
danon, I agree, get the tickets ahead of time for the chapel and not take a chance. Yes, you may've been lucky to get in.
Dayle, it is a fairly long walk to the chapel from the train station, but it's doable. It was raining, we were tired, so I'm not sure what it would be like if we were just staying there. But going further into the city and walking to the Basilica of St Anthony was a bit too much for us, though we did manage it. I also have some problems with walking and my husband had injured his foot earlier this summer, so it was notable for us. If we were in better shape, it might not have impacted us quite as much.
Padova is the Italian name and Padua is the English name for the same city. Of course, it's Padova when you're there! Same as it's Firenze, not Florence. Or Venezia, not Venice.
Dayle, it is a fairly long walk to the chapel from the train station, but it's doable. It was raining, we were tired, so I'm not sure what it would be like if we were just staying there. But going further into the city and walking to the Basilica of St Anthony was a bit too much for us, though we did manage it. I also have some problems with walking and my husband had injured his foot earlier this summer, so it was notable for us. If we were in better shape, it might not have impacted us quite as much.
Padova is the Italian name and Padua is the English name for the same city. Of course, it's Padova when you're there! Same as it's Firenze, not Florence. Or Venezia, not Venice.
Oct 29th, 2019, 10:58 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by Dayle
Thanks for the walking info. Did you not want to try the bus? Funny that Padua is the English version. It doesn't seem like it would be!
Oct 30th, 2019, 04:22 AM
#33
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Distances can be relative I guess. In my four visits to Padova, I have always been surprised by how close the Scrovengni Chapel seemed to the train station. It is right along the main route to the center of town and was the first thing of note you pass.
I checked a map and the Chapel is a 10-minute walk, about half a mile from the train station.
On the other hand, the Basilica of St Anthony is quite a distance more, though not difficult, about a mile (17 minutes) further than the chapel.
The town is flat, so it is all easy walking. There are many a bus and taxi if you prefer not to walk.
I checked a map and the Chapel is a 10-minute walk, about half a mile from the train station.
On the other hand, the Basilica of St Anthony is quite a distance more, though not difficult, about a mile (17 minutes) further than the chapel.
The town is flat, so it is all easy walking. There are many a bus and taxi if you prefer not to walk.
Oct 30th, 2019, 05:09 AM
#34
Original Poster
Originally Posted by tripplanner001
Thanks for sharing, Paule. Glad the two of you had such a good time. I love Italy although I’ve not made it to any of the destinations on your itinerary except for Rome. Looking forward to more.
Oct 30th, 2019, 05:11 AM
#35
Original Poster
Originally Posted by ellenem
Distances can be relative I guess. In my four visits to Padova, I have always been surprised by how close the Scrovengni Chapel seemed to the train station. It is right along the main route to the center of town and was the first thing of note you pass.
I checked a map and the Chapel is a 10-minute walk, about half a mile from the train station.
On the other hand, the Basilica of St Anthony is quite a distance more, though not difficult, about a mile (17 minutes) further than the chapel.
The town is flat, so it is all easy walking. There are many a bus and taxi if you prefer not to walk.
I checked a map and the Chapel is a 10-minute walk, about half a mile from the train station.
On the other hand, the Basilica of St Anthony is quite a distance more, though not difficult, about a mile (17 minutes) further than the chapel.
The town is flat, so it is all easy walking. There are many a bus and taxi if you prefer not to walk.
Oct 30th, 2019, 09:09 AM
#36
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Originally Posted by progol
Yes, as I said before, we were tired, it was rainy, and we have/had some health issues, so we felt the walk. It might not feel nearly as long for others. I've walked that distance in the past with no awareness of distance, so it was probably our particular feelings on that day.
I did the walk and felt it was long and tiring. I did have broken ribs, and I still have a grudge against the very young man whom I asked for directions to the bus stop, and he told me that I "should walk, it is close."
I'm very easily shamed. I hope I learned that day that if one isn't feeling well, one needn't walk anywhere!
Thanks for this report; I'm looking forward to Bologna.
Oct 30th, 2019, 12:45 PM
#37
Original Poster
Hi, Tuscan,
I do feel ya! Broken ribs - ouch! And yes, it was a schlep,to,walk between the train station and the chapel. At least some of us experienced it that way.
I’m glad you’re enjoying this! Bologna is next, and we loved it. If there was a surprise on this trip, it was how much we really, really loved Bologna. I don’t even know exactly why, it just was the right balance. I loved our entire trip, but Bologna was a place we had no expectations of and it grabbed us and we fell in love with the place.
I do feel ya! Broken ribs - ouch! And yes, it was a schlep,to,walk between the train station and the chapel. At least some of us experienced it that way.
I’m glad you’re enjoying this! Bologna is next, and we loved it. If there was a surprise on this trip, it was how much we really, really loved Bologna. I don’t even know exactly why, it just was the right balance. I loved our entire trip, but Bologna was a place we had no expectations of and it grabbed us and we fell in love with the place.
Oct 30th, 2019, 04:43 PM
#38
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Progol, I am enjoying your report and your photos! We visited Rome and Florence in the 1970's, and that was the last and only time we were in Italy. I definitely want to return to Italy to visit the places we haven't seen. Your itinerary gives me lots of ideas!
Oct 30th, 2019, 05:36 PM
#39
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Looking forward to your next stops. I enjoyed your thoughts on Vicenza since I was there in March and finally timed a visit to a day when the interior of La Rotonda was open. Waiting for more. . .
Oct 31st, 2019, 02:05 AM
#40
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Hi, Karenwoo, I'm so glad you're enjoying this! And I'm sure you will love a return to Italy! It's just chock full of wonderful sights/sites and tastes! Rather like a meal of rich desserts! By the way, I'm now in planning stage for our trip to China and am working with Yunnan Adventure travel!
ellenem, I'm glad you're enjoying this! And I'll post photos of La Rotonda shortly. Of course, I'm sure you remember that there are no interior photos allowed there, too.
More to come....
ellenem, I'm glad you're enjoying this! And I'll post photos of La Rotonda shortly. Of course, I'm sure you remember that there are no interior photos allowed there, too.
More to come....
