Padua, Italy

Padua (Padova) is 30 minutes from Venice, Italy. We stayed for a couple days and really enjoyed this piece of Italy that had much fewer tourists than Venice.

• There are great places to stay all over Padua for cheap prices--it is smart to ask your hotel if they have safe parking for a reasonable price. We were able to park our car at our hotel for 5Euro/day. Padua is small enough to walk around, so we felt safe leaving our rental car at the hotel.

• We stayed right across from St. Anthony's Basilica! We stayed at the Hotel Casa Del Pellegrino and decided to pay for the breakfast. You can get an even cheaper price if you do not want a private shower and toilet.

• But the big problem were the mosquitoes in our room. I had to sleep with the sheet over my head. For about 10-15 more Euro, check out Hotel al Fagiano or Hotel al Santo for possibly less mosquitoes.
  


• St. Anthony's Basilica--This is a beautiful landmark that is free to get into! The church is currently still in use and is full of Donatello's work.
• You get the chance to walk by St. Anthony's tomb while looking at marble-carved scenes from St. Anthony's life.
• Pilgrims leave pictures and letters to St. Anthony, asking for his intercession on their behalf.
• This is one of the few places where you can also view relics for free. Among the display is St. Anthony's tongue, jawbone, and vocal chords because he couldn't stop spreading the Gospel.
  
  
• Market Squares (Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza della Frutta)--These markets sit adjacent to each other. They have food, home goods, clothes, and more.
• Ask the locals what fruit is in season and buy some to snack on as you walk and shop!
• This is the goods for cheaper than tourist-filled Venice or the remote areas in the mountains. So save your shopping for Padua!

• When walking around Padua, we saw fliers for different events, including an evening jazz concert in the park. We took the flier down and brought it to the concierge at our hotel to get directions to the park. The pathway through the park to the concert was lit with candles and led us to the middle of the park. It was one of the most romantic experiences ever!