Vicenza and Padua (Palladian villas) without a car
 

Hello

This question relates to a visit from Venice.

I know I can easily get to the two towns above by train.

One question is whether I can see various Palladian villas without a car, or if a car really would be a better idea - and if so, can I do both towns together in a one day trip - the one day I'd have the car. If there is a tour operator in either town that offers short visits to a few villas that may be an option.

A second question would be: if I at least make it to the above towns, via train, will I get a sampling of Palladio without venturing into the countryside. Could I leave the countryside villas for another trip IOW. I know one town has a museum dedicated to him.

I just checked into a car rental and for 24 hours it's 175 bucks through Auto Europe. That is quite steep. I had a car through them in early September for a week for not much more money than that. I haven't checked into train prices to visit both towns but I tend to doubt it will add up to 175 bucks (135E).

Thanks for any thoughts.

I'd hire a bicycle and head down the canal between Padua and Venice, lots of lovely villas, no traffic (or very low in some places especially if you use the road on the south side)

http://padovacard.turismopadova.it/m...gio-biciclette

Thank you - a very good idea! I have emailed Riccardo about renting bikes for a day.

Also, look at the Brenta Canal boat trip from Venice. We did it once, saw a Palladian villa and then returned to the Veneto for a week with car another year.

You can take bus or taxi from Vicenza Station to La Rotonda.

Thin

Vicenza is a lovely town that most bypass, much smaller and less busy than Padua, which is quite beautiful, but more city-like. Vicenza is one town I return to whenever I can, and a nice place to stay.

You can easily see Palladio's architecture just walking around in Vicenza. To my mind, a "Do Not Miss" sight is the Teatro Olimpico! It is simply perfection!

As Pepper said, you can get a taxi to La Rotonda. Be sure to check opening days and times for things.

While you can walk everywhere on your own, a tour might be fun and interesting. There is a wonderful open market in Vicenza, but I do not remember the days. Also, some good restaurants, nice if you want to stay late.

I much prefer Palladio's architecture (especially Teatro Olimpico) over the Scrovegni Chapel. OTOH, I probably would not rush around to Padua unless I were going to see it. Still, if you just want a quick look at Padua, you could take the train and have dinner there before your return to Venice.

Vicenza would certainly be my first choice.

Oh, forget the car. Absolutely no need in either Vicenza or Padua.

I generally agree with the comments here about Vicenza. Lots to see and do, and most of it on foot. One warning: A lot of museums, etc., are closed on Mondays; avoid that day if you can. If memory serves, the open market is on Thursdays.

Have a drink at night at the top of the Basilica Palladio.

Yes, there is a lot to see in Vicenza, especially the teatro, but really the whole town plan and the piazza. You might take a bus from Vicenza to Villa Rotonda, but a taxi will work better even than a car because the parking situation is awful. Be sure to have the taxi pick you up. The Villa -- which us absolutely, positively Worth It -- sits on a hill above a slightly seedy village on a busy main road, perfectly safe but not so pleasant to wait for a bus.

I think the Brenta Canal trip is a good idea, especially if it takes you to La Malcontenta for a tour. A bicycle? Only if you are experienced in riding in heavy traffic. It makes me shudder to think of it.

Most of the other villas are in small towns only accessible by car or by taking a tour. They are open strange hours.

We actually stayed at the Villa Saraceno as guests of generous friends who had rented it from the [English] Landmark Trust. It is open to the public, for example, only on Wednesday afternoons, when the renters have to clear out. But it was a nice place to stay ;-)

" Only if you are experienced in riding in heavy traffic"

You will find Padua TI gives out great little card maps for the area that stick across the handle bars.

I've ridden the route to Venice, there is only one bit with heavy traffic and that is at the Venice Mestre bit which you will not get to unless you are very fit. If you look at Google maps for Padua you can see the canal (blue, west to east to start with) once outside the ring road stay to the south of the canal. You will be on bike paths or very quiet roads. The busy road is to the north.