Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
COLLI EUGANEI (EUGANEAN HILLS)
Southwest of Padua, the
Euganean Hills
(
www.parcocollieuganei.com
)
feel a world away from the urban soph-
istication of Venice and the surrounding plains. To explore the walled hilltop towns, misty vineyards and bubbling
hot springs, the Padua tourist office offers area maps, hiking and transport information online
(
www.turismotermeeuganee.it
)
. Trains serve all towns except Arquà Petrarca.
Just south of Padua lie the natural-hot-spring resorts of
Abano Terme
( tourist office 049 866 90 55; Via
Pietro d'Abano 18) 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. Nearby, in
Galzignano Terme
,
Villa Barbarigo
( 049 805 92 24;
www.valsanzibiogiardino.it
; adult/reduced €8.50/
5.50; 10am-1pm & 2pm-sunset Mar-Nov) is the location of one of the finest historical gardens in Europe,
shot through with streams, fishponds and Bernini fountains.
In the medieval village of
Arquà 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
( 0429
729 31;
www.castellodimonselice.it
; Via del Santuario 11, Monselice; adult/reduced €6/5; 1hr guided tours
9am, 10am, 11am, 3pm & 4pm Tue-Sun Apr-Nov) ;
Montagnana
, with its magnificent 2km defensive perimet-
er; and
Este
, with its rich architectural heritage 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 tablewear 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.
