Veneto Advice Please
 

Help. We're flying into Venice at 6p.m. Wanted to spend a couple of days in the Veneto. Maybe one day in Vicenza. Another day looking at villas--need to see Rotunda and Malcontenta for sure. Where to stay? Found reference to Hotel Christina in some book--they will give you bikes for visits? Can't locate them on the web. Also, what about Villa Michelangelo? Kind of expensive...but maybe nice? Any thoughts on getting around without a car? Thanks!

topping for carol

There is a local city bus from Vicenza's train station which will take you up the hill to visit the two Palladian villas. There is an intercity bus from Padova and Venezia which stops at Stra (Villa Pisani). There is a local bus from Venezia which goes by Malcontenta. Trains between Venezia and Vicenza run three times per hour. You need a car to see other, less accessible Palladian villas (but you'll see plenty of them by bus).

I'm going way back to my grad student days for this info, so it's a bit sketchy, but...if you're particularly interested in Palladio, don't forget that there are also several works in Vicenza proper - a couple of palazzi (the urban equivalent of a villa), the Basillica and the fantastic Teatro Olimpico. If you're interested in architecture (and it sounds like you are) Vicenza is a gold mine.

In terms of seeing villas, in addition to what's already been posted, I hear there's also a day cruise you can take up the Brenta River to see quite a few (not just Palladio.) Sounds really lovely. I believe you board in Padua, but I could be wrong about that.

La Rotonda is really a car destination. I suppose you could have a taxi take you there if you arrive at Vicenza by public transportation.

Best wishes,

Rex

Veneto is a great choice, I believe Veneto is the "New Tuscany" and it is still undiscovered. There is a lot to see and do, wonderful food, wine
....I think it has more to offer than Tuscany..But let's keep it a secret...

You might want to consider going to Bassano del Grappa, a wonderful little village known for Grappa and their old wood bridge. Last year we stayed at
Ca Sette a wonderful hotel in an old Villa. Here is their site
http://www.ca-sette.it/index-english.html
Or you might want to consider Asolo with the wonderful hotel Cipriani of the Luxury collection. From there you might want to wonder to Conegliano Veneto here are a couple of site with more information
http://turismo.regione.veneto.it/index.php?l=en
The following one is the itinerary along the area of prosecco production, nice prosecco and wine tasting...
http://www.prosecco.it/strada02.htm

http://www.villeveneteecastelli.com/...amp;Id_tipo3=5

Last but not least around Vicenza you can find some outlet shopping of gold .

Let me know if you need additional info
Ciao

to:WILLIAMFRA
This is Brezza. I would like to contact you to discuss your comment Veneto is the "New Tuscany". I think we can put our heads together. I will look for your reply here
ciao!!!

You do not need a taxi to get to the Villa Rotonda. As GAC has pointed out, there is a bus that leaves from the Vicenza train station that takes you to within a few hundred yards of it.

And while you're there, walk a few hundred yards to the Villa Valmarana ai Nani, not by Palladio, but with wonderful frescoes by Giandomenico Tiepolo (son of the more famous Gianbattista) in the "forestiera" or guest house.

I also agree with Hadley's suggestion to visit the palazzi and the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza itself.

Hi, please note this original thread and most postings to it go back to August 2003.

LoveItaly: Thanks for the heads up; I just saw it in the first 50 or 100 messages and chimed in without realizing that Carolp has probably long come and gone in the Veneto.