Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
COLLI EUGANEI (EUGANEAN HILLS)
Southwest of Padua, the Euganean Hills feel a world away from the urban sophistication of Venice
and the surrounding plains. To help you explore the walled hilltop towns, misty vineyards and bub-
bling hot springs, the Padua tourist office offers area maps, hiking and transport information online
Just south of Padua lie the natural-hot-spring resorts of
Abano Terme
and
Montegrotto Terme
.
They have been active since Roman times, when the Patavini built their villas on Mt Montirone. The
towns are uninspired, but the waters do cure aches and pains.
In the medieval village of
Arqua
̀
Petrarca
, look for the elegant little
house
( 0429 71 82 94;
Via Valleselle 4; adult/reduced €4/2; 9am-12.30pm & 3-7pm Tue-Sun Mar-Oct, 9am-12.30pm &
2.30-5.30pm Tue-Sun Nov-Feb) where great Italian poet Petrarch spent his final years in the 1370s.
At the southern reaches of the Euganei, you'll find
Monselice
, with its remarkable medieval castle;
Montagnana
, with its magnificent 2km defensive perimeter; and
Este
, with its rich architectural her-
itage and important
archaeological museum
( 0429 20 85;
www.atestino.beniculturali.it
;
Via
Guido Negri 9c; adult/reduced €4/free; 8.30am-7.30pm) . Este is also home to
Este Ceramiche
Porcellane
( 0429 22 70;
www.esteceramiche.com
;
Via Zanchi 22a; 9am-noon & 2-5.30pm
Mon-Fri) , one of the oldest ceramics factories in Europe. It's been making tableware for Dior, Tiffany
and Barneys for years, but here you can find some fabulous bargains in its outlet shop.
If you want to overnight, consider staying in one of the two apartments at
Villa Vescovi
( 049
993 04 73;
www.villadeivescovi.it
; Luvigliano; villa tour adult/reduced €7/3.50, apartments €200;
10am-6pm Wed-Fri Apr-Oct, to 5pm Nov-Dec;
) , one of the best preserved pre-Palladio
Renaissance villas in the Veneto.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Vicenza
POP 115,900
When Palladio escaped an oppressive employer in his native Padua, few would have
guessed the humble stonecutter would, within a few decades, transform not only his ad-
optive city but also the history of European architecture. By luck, a local count recognised
his talents in the 1520s and sent him to study the ruins in Rome. When he returned to Vi-
cenza, the autodidact began producing his extraordinary buildings that marry sophistica-
tion and rustic simplicity, reverent classicism and bold innovation. It's no wonder Vicenza
and surrounding villas have been declared one grand Unesco World Heritage Site.
