Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Vicenza and Padua (Palladian villas) without a car

Vicenza and Padua (Palladian villas) without a car

Old Oct 30th, 2014, 05:51 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
flygirl is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 06:37 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,493
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
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
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:36 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you - a very good idea! I have emailed Riccardo about renting bikes for a day.
flygirl is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:53 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17,988
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
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.
HappyTrvlr is online now  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 09:24 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
You can take bus or taxi from Vicenza Station to La Rotonda.

Thin
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 10:18 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,991
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Sassafrass is online now  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 10:20 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,991
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh, forget the car. Absolutely no need in either Vicenza or Padua.
Sassafrass is online now  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 12:13 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 19,736
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
vincenzo32951 is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2014, 02:59 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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 ;-)
Ackislander is offline  
Old Oct 31st, 2014, 12:27 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,493
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
" 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.
bilboburgler is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Peter_S_Aus
Europe
5
Apr 13th, 2010 08:20 AM
tedgale
Europe
27
Apr 4th, 2009 01:17 PM
Suki
Europe
16
Apr 7th, 2007 06:16 AM
Mylesaway
Europe
10
Apr 21st, 2005 01:47 AM
SandyR
Europe
11
Jul 30th, 2004 03:46 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -