La Malcontenta Hotel

Re: vicenzia

by pagl57

hi debby,

To go to Florence, you should take the train from Vicenza to Milano and then to Florence, which seems IMO a bit far for a day trip.

In fact, Vicenza is on the main train axis Milano-Venezia, with cities as Bergamo, Brescia, Vicenza, Verona, Padova and Venice. Other smaller towns can easily be reached, such as Asolo, Bassano,...
The Veneto region should easily fill a 2 week stay or more.

If you are in Vicenza, then the main interest is of course Palladio and his buildings in Vicenza and the Veneto region.
Visiting the Palladian villa's is mostly some kind of pilgrimage for architecture and art fans. Try to find a guided tour if you don't have a car, it is the easiest way to get around in the country side. Try googling with palladian villa tour and so on... Try http://www.boglewood.com/palladio/map.html

From Padova, you can have an excursion on the Brenta canal. The boat takes you from Padova to Venice on the Brenta canal and you see lots of villa's. You start at Stra, with a visit of Villa Pisani, and you end with la Malcontenta. At 6pm, the boat arrives in Venice, just in front of the Danieli hotel, where the excursion ends. You walk back to the station and take the train back to Vicenza. The laguna crossing is wonderful and it is a very relaxing day . Try googling with terms as brenta, battello and padova and you'll find some companies. Your hotel in Vicenza will be able to help you also.

Padova itself is a wonderful town for art and architecture fans. You should visit the 13th Century Giotto frescoes of the Scrovegni chapel (make a reservation), the Saint-Anthony basilica, and the historic town center in general. Fills easily an entire day.

Venice is not that far either with the train...

Hope this helps.
P.