Sign in with Facebook
Hotel Class: 
4 Stars - 24 Opinions
Corso del Popolo 81, Padua, Veneto, 35131, Italy
Check Rates and Availability
of people enjoy staying here
24 Opinions
View from the top of one hill
Padova Cathedral Entrance
Prato della Valla
One of the many dishes served
The highlight of my upcoming trip to Italy will be the chance to finally visit the Cappella degli Scrovegni. I was horrified to find I can only get a 15 minute appointment. Gah! I need more time than that. I made the appointment of course, but I wondering if anyone knows a way I could stay longer.
I read in the Rick Steves guide book that it's possible to get 20 minute appointments in the evening, but that's also tragically short.
Has anyone had luck getting past 20 minutes? Could I write a letter or something?
the only I was able to enjoy it longer was to reserve multiple appointments; i didn't care about the cost. it was sooooo worth it. good luck. :)
We visited this past January and we were the only people there. We were told we could have an extra five minutes, which we eagerly took and as we went in, the man at the door said we could have a further 20 minutes as there was no-one booked for after us! We felt very lucky and very privileged and it was a memorable visit, especially as there was just the two of us for a whole 40 minutes - and it cost us just the one entry fee! However, as I suspect you are going between now and the end of the year, I think you will be lucky to even book the 15 minute appointment. Btw, leave about an extra 15 minutes before they say you should arrive for your appointment. The man on the ticket desk is excrutiatingly slow and then you have to check your bags and it all takes time. If you are not at the entrance door well before time, then that's it. There is a video presentation first but you can also watch it when uyou come out. Our visit fulfilled a lifetime's ambition and we were certainly not disappointment. The recent-ish restoration work is wonderful and the frescoes look as fresh and new as the day they were painted. Don't miss the opportunity to go to the art gallery (Pinateca) on the same site - preferably beforehand, as afterwards, everything pales in comparison to the frescoes! Also, don't miss visiting the church next door to the site, Chiesa degli Eremitani. Back to the Scrovegni - Ibelieve the evening appointments are for 30 minutes. Enjoy the time you have there! It is absolutely breath-taking. The psotcards, at €1, are a rip-off but there is a very good book for sale called "Giotto in Padua" for €5.90, (ISBN 978-88-6130-920-3) by Robert d'Adda, which shows all the Chapel frescos. This is a good buy.
I agree with hawkhead, in this part of the year is really hard to get lucky and stay extra time... also the school trip are very frequent now.
I also agree about Chiesa degli Eremitani!! dont miss to visit Cappella Ovetari inside this church where the Mangegna frescos are. If it will be still closed for restoring work try to find the caretaker, I did, and he was wery nice and, when i told him i was so sad i cant see well the frescos because the scaffolding, he opened the gate and took me inside the chapel to see better!!
enjoy your Padova trip!!
Thank you all for your replies. Since we'll be visiting the end of May, I doubt if we'll be able to stay extra, but I can only hope....
This area of Padova was my favourite with the reflctions of the statues and buildings in the canals. This had been a former site for fairs and entertainments and was reclaimed in 1775 by Domenico Cerato, by order of Andrea Memmo. The "square" is very picturesque with its canal crossed by four bridges and lined by 78 statues of famous men.
Can't remeber exactly where this was or what it is but the style of this building seemed Moorish to me and I loved its rustic colour.
P.S. - many thanks to Maurizioago for telling me that this building is the renowned Cafè Pedrocchi :-))
My wife speaks Italian fluently, albeit with a southern dialect, and people often comment how well she speaks Italian (for a Canadian).
On the other hand, I've been married to an Italian for 37 years, ate Sunday dinner in an Italian household every weekend for as long as I can remember, listened to countless arguments (discussions), but can't remember phrases when unexpectedly asked. I understand lots, but butcher this beautiful language horribly.
I smile a lot, nod a lot, look dumb a lot and hope a lot, but get by. However, the important thing is, I try, and besides getting a laugh, I get respect. The Italian people appreciate your attempts at communicating in 'their' language, in 'their' country.
If all else fails, shrug, look goofy, then point. Works for me. Oh yes, I carry a language book with me at all times with pictures of food, animals, and other necessary things. It looks impressive sitting beside your plate in a restaurant, and you are automatically forgiven for screw-ups.
Cobblestones are hard on luggage with wheels...carry a backpack whenever possible, regardless of your age. We are in our mid fifties, and a year ago wouldn't be caught dead with one. Now, our suitcases are in storage, and we each possess a back pack good for two-five day trips, expandable for two week trips, plus a day pack. If you must use the other, bring something with real good wheels, but be prepared for an uneven ride.
Practice pack at home, lay everything out on the bed that you think you'll need, then eliminate half of it. Trust me, you won't miss it. You've got lots of stairs to climb, in train stations and hotels, plus down the corridors of moving trains. Another tip, if you have a hard time lifting your pack above your head, you've got too much. Trains have overhead racks for storage, and they're already stuffed. Less is better... Guide books will tell you not to wear running shoes, because they are not generally worn in Italy. Untrue, untrue, untrue. Bring the most comfortable shoes you own, and if you purchase new ones prior to your trip, break them in first. We have yet to find really good walking socks in Italy, but that doesn't mean they don't exist, we're getting older and age has it's disadvantages. Shorts are not generally worn, but suggest you buy the lightweight pants with zip-off legs. Shorts are becoming more and more popular however, and they are not as uncommon as two years ago.
It is hot and humid in summer, fantastic in the fall, and we had only two days of winter weather this year, so dress accordingly. Layer your clothes, regardless of the season.
Umbrellas are a must in the early fall, but easy to find and cheap to purchase. Wait, and buy one here if necessary. (approx. 10 euro) Carry toilet paper with you, or the travel packs of tissue (Italian tissues are great, much thicker and larger than North American ones), Advil (not available), but otherwise Italy has everything else you may need. You may have difficulty recognizing certain off-the-shelf medications, so bring what you may need immediately. We had, and still have difficulty finding Pharmacists who understand English? Doctors usually do however.
We have recently noticed that the bandaids available here do not stick very well. Be advised to bring some with you. You'll need them for your heels if you haven't worn broken-in shoes. Best to bring moleskin for your heels and apply before you develope blisters. Readily available, as are many One Hour Developing shops. I always have a set of prints and a disc made for me, and prices range dramatically from 10 euro (with Fun Disc) up to 22 euro (regular disc). If you just want a disc made fom a digital camera, most places will do it immediately for 5 euro, except in Venice where they charge unsuspecting tourists 9 euro. Worth it if your memory card is full however. Charging units, including a spare set of batteries are readily available for approx. 15 euro. In regards to back packs, shop carefully before you buy. You don't need the rugged mountain climbing types with a place for your ice picks. You need a lightweight pack, with a strong handle and good adjustable straps, with an expandable storage area (when you pack, don't expand this section), an outside pocket with real easy access to hold your train tickets, another outside pocket for your map and guide book. Waterproof is nice, but if it rains, stop for an espresso.
Buy a day pack, and leave the larger pack in the hotel (seal the pockets with lockable plastic tabs to prevent 'maid related' thefts).
The day pack will carry your camera, a bottle of water, aspirins, spare film, euro coinage, travel guide, maps, and bus/train tickets (for short excursions). You'll find the day pack very helpful, but buy a good one. Don't get cheap here, you will carry it everywhere. Keep the size to a minimum. Buy an expandable one. I own a Berghaus. It is intended for bike users, and is 'Bladdered'. Cheap sweat shirts are very difficult to find, plus the sizing in Italy is odd (to us). I wear XL shirts, and XL that I find here is too tight, but occasionally find an XXL that fits. Beware when purchasing gifts (buy larger than requested for clothing). Find the European equivalent of your shoe size prior to entering a shoe store, and learn how to pronounce the correct size in Italian, or print it on a piece of paper.
If you ladies were packing your hair dryer, and have been busy trying to locate a voltage converter, forget it. Buy a cheap dryer here, costs much less than buying the converter, plus you don't have to pack it. Then, leave it behind for the chambermaid when you leave.
You will thank me for that tip.
Men, use disposable razors, and bar soap.
Located on the Cagnan canal crossing to the river Sile, it is open until midday and the local fishman (from somewhere) bring the catch to sell. The bridge is called bridge of the impossible because of the difficulty in constructing it. The name comes from Aligheri Dante in 1865. The water is very green and swift, and looks cold.
Sponsored Links
Similar to Grand Italia
Near Grand Italia
Cheapest in Padova
Great Hotels for Less
Q: Train ticket Padua-Venice. "Could someone tell me , please, how much is the cheapeast fare of a train ticket (each way) departing Padua to Venice?? I know..."
A: "All you need to do is to look at the official Italian railway website in English: http://www.trenitalia.com/homepage_en.html It will give you all departures,..."
Sponsored Links
Latest Padova hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
Address: Corso del Popolo 81, Padua, Veneto, 35131, Italy
Check Rates and Availability (from our partners)
