If you are in Venice for a few days – as beautiful, addictive and fascinating as it is – at some point it is highly likely that the crowds are going to get to you, and you will find yourself craving some space… And when this finally happens, you could do worse than escape to nearby Padua to breathe for a while… I think it might be the perfect antidote to the hecticness that is one of the most popular places on the tourist map. At only 22 miles away it takes barely 40 minutes to get to from Venice as well (traffic dependent!)…
We arrived early on a Sunday morning, half expecting not all that much to be open – but we followed the sound of chatter through to a piazza, and (once we got a table – it appears to be THE thing to do on a Sunday) joined the locals at a cafe, basking in the warmth of the early morning sun. Add to that a first-class ristretto or two, some gelato sampling for the Small People (taste approved by their mother of course!) and it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours. And as we enjoyed our perch, we marvelled at the sheer agility of some of the parking going on in front of the Basilica – deftly accomplished by people obviously incredibly late for Mass…
Padua is one of those cities that time has been kind to, and has some incredible history to match its perfect buildings – the Basilica of Saint Anthony is in itself reason to visit alone. At almost 800 years old it’s an impressive and imposing multi-domed structure, and its Saint just happens to be patron of finding things, and of lost people (and having been known to need a hand with both from time to time, I slightly regret not popping in!)! The University here is also of a similar respectable age and of equally impressive dynamics – and with former lecturers such as Gallileo himself is also pretty infamous .
As the day progressed and the temperature rose, we took solace from the sun in the shade of many an ancient arcade – perfect for both historical wanderings and gourmet exploration…
And as with most University towns, there is some great food on offer here. The name of this next place might not sound that appealing (evoking thoughts of medical ear procedures!?) but should you happen to chance upon a GROM Gelateria, I really don’t think you should walk past. There are times that I might slightly exaggerate my fondness for various food stuffs on my little corner of the Internet, but this is one instance when I honestly really do mean that this is the best ice cream I have ever had. If you really really can’t decide which flavour to try (they are all good, I have tried most of them!) I recommend the Crema Come Una Volta, an exquisite egg custard vanilla ice cream with the slightest hint of lemon. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Don’t share.
Pudding before lunch safely dealt with, a short while later (having worked up further appetite), we decided on La Falconiere for our next gastronomical adventure… It might not look like much on the outside, but this little restaurant is yet something else I will remember Padua for… Not least because the incredibly friendly and jovial host allowed The Small Girl to “help in the kitchen” which had me slightly worried about lunch (and her fingers as she wielded an enormous knife above her head!). But all worry was unnecessary, as this delicious lunch was everything that good Italian food can be – simple, honest and delicious, and I would highly recommend it…
And there you have it – Padua. It really is worth tearing yourself away from those gondolas for… I will go back when it’s a little more open next time perhaps, but I like to think that if you get a good feeling for a place when everything’s mostly shut, it’s usually a good indicator of how much you will like it when everything’s actually open…
I love Padua/Padova too, there’s a great university and a real young buzz to this fascinating city. You’ve captured the city so beautifully here
Thanks Mari, I loved it here… Real Italy without so many tourists! :) xx
A bit late to the party, but if you hit Padua the Scrovengi Chapel is a must see, ironically I blogged about it this week. Painted by Giotto in the 1300’s it’s quite amazing.
Thank you Brooke! It sounds gorgeous! :)
Love towns like this and the food looks ammaaazzing! Great post and lovely photos!
It was SOOO good! Thank you, glad you like it! :)
I had never considered visiting Padua, but you make it sound so enticing. And mentioning desserts is a great way to encourage me to go somewhere. That last photo of the statue is interesting. It’s both modern and classic at the same time.
Food in general is a great way to make me go anywhere too, and is how we ended up going to Vietnam, Malaysia and South Africa in the past amongst other places! :D Thank you! :)
Wow, you’ve really sold it to me! Another incredible place to add to my list…
Thank you Michelle! :) x
Nice post Emma, Padova is really beautiful. For those who go to Venezia it’s worth a visit; it’s relatively close to the most famous city and can be reached easily both with car and train.
Thank you Alberto, it’s a beautiful place! :)
Yum – we love GROM! And what is that delicious looking stuff in the creamy sauce you had for lunch??
Amazing isn’t it? Thank you, that was gnocchi in a cheese sauce with poppyseeds. Delicious with a capital D! :D :)
Oh my – yummmmmmm!
Indeed! Thank you! :)
My mum used to always ask St Anthony to help us find lost things. A very practical saint.
Padua looks beautiful, especially those blue skies….and the ice-cream.
Your Mum is so wise, I have never heard of him before, but he sounds most useful! Thank you! :) xx
Ooh. I was intrigued even before you got to the gelato – but after that, Padua seems worth going to Italy for!
I loved it there, beautiful buildings, gorgeous food, not too many tourists, and amazing icecream! Thanks Jess! :)
Ohhh we were thinking of heading near this way later this year, I’ll have to remember this little gem! Thanks so very much for linking up to #SundayTraveler !!
Thanks for featuring me. I am sure you will love it! :)
I’ve been to Venice but never here. This looks great and the food photos always do me in! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler!
Thank you! :)
This is a lovely piece which makes me keen to visit Padua. I love pretty much everything about Italy and visit at every opportunity, living only an hour away, but I don’t know Padua so thank you for adding it to my list
You are so lucky to live so close! Thanks Phoebe! :)
Beautiful pictures. Why didnt I know about this place when I was trying to peace a little bit of quiet place when I was in Venice?! Well that makes for a trip to Padua to check out the places you have mentioned.
#sundaytraveler
Thanks so much Bianca, I am sure you would love it! :)
Padua is so close to our house. But we never paid much respect to this town. We used to go their quite often, but only to IKEA store. It was the closest IKEA to our home :). Beautiful photos, and some really good tips. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler.
Go to Padua first and go to IKEA on the way home next time? :D Thank you! :)
Love your descriptions and photos. I have not been to Italy in far too long… *sigh*
Definitely one of my fave countries! Thank you! :)
Looks stunning and I really shouldn’t have looked at those food photos while hungry! I’ve often told people to visit Verona if they need a daytrip from Venice, but it looks like I’ll now be suggesting Padua too :)
Thanks Caitlyn… :)
Blue skies! Good food! Beautiful buildings!
So very jealous right now.
Don’t worry I am just catching up with things I didn’t manage to write about last year (too disorganised!)… I am going to Rome next week though, but last I heard they had our snow!! :D Thank you! xx
This looks like a wonderful place Emma. Fantastic pics, the gelato looks divine and is that gnocchi? Wow!
Thank you… Yes it is gnocchi with poppyseeds, delicious! :) x
Venice is the only place in the world that my husband has been to and I haven’t. Must get him to return one day. I’m sold just by the gelato, to be honest.
P.S. I’m still sniggering at the fake tan incident.
I have the name of a great hotel ten miles outside of Venice, with a pool and space for children to burn off steam perfect. It is worth visiting for the gelato alone! :D PS. So am I! :D
O.M.G. My mouth is watering buckets at the sight of that food. And that ice cream… that is so my favourite flavour – I am a huge vanilla fan, and with a hint of lemon – suits you sir, yum! X
This is def. my favourite variety of vanilla as well, it almost tastes of caramel but with that little twist of lemon at the end – perfect! Thank you! :) xx
I find Venice a bit much too. Padua looks wonderful and that gelato……yum!
I love it, but sometimes, just sometimes, it gets a bit too busy! :D Thank you! :)
Padua sounds really nice–I’ve never been. Maybe we can check it out when we head down that way late in the summer. We had GROM gelato in Venice last year–yum!
Then you will know that I am not exaggerating! It is so good isn’t it? Thank you! :)
I’d love to spend more time exploring Italy. I’ve only been with work and Trade Fairs – not the same as really seeing it.
Do you get to try any decent food though?? I hope you get to explore it properly soon enough! :)
That was such a treat! Padua looks wonderful, and the food even better. And I love the winter sky in that part of the world :)
Thanks so much Pia. Would love another plate of that gnocchi right now! :)
Amazing photos and looks like a lovely place to visit. I’ve braved the tourist hordes in Venice a couple of times, wish I’d visited Padua!
Thank you Christine! :) It’s def. worth the little trip out of the way! :)