Beat the winter blues with a bargain break in Italy

At this time of the year, with Christmas now behind us, many people start to look forward to their next holiday.

But because the summer seems a long way away, I would recommend planning a short winter break in Italy to take your mind off the bad weather and having to return to the daily grind.

The next few weeks would be a good time to go with cheap flights and bargain hotel prices being advertised at the moment.

To keep the costs down still further, be prepared to stay in less well-known towns or resorts where meals and taxi fares are usually cheaper.

There are often low cost flights available to airports close to the great cities of Rome, Venice and Milan.

The Venetian lagoon in winter

But if you base yourself just outside these cities you will find you spend less, while still getting the chance to enjoy the same great atmosphere, architecture, food and wine.

If you can find a cheap flight to Rome (Ciampino), consider staying in the ancient, wine-producing city of Frascati, just down the road from the airport.

The city has the feel of Rome, but it is on a smaller scale and life is at a less frantic pace. There are statues, fountains and wonderful architecture, but it is easy to walk around Frascati and there is little crime there, according to a taxi driver I spoke to.

It is said that Frascati’s delicious white wine ‘non viaggia bene’ (does not travel well), which is all the more reason to drink it there, in quaint wine bars serving it cheaply by the glass.

Villas built by wealthy Romans on the hills behind Frascati now lie in ruins, but there are elegant 16th and 17th century villas, such as the imposing Villa Aldobrandini, to look round.

Take the train to Rome (30 mins) and see the sights, but return in the evening to sit on a terrace sipping wine, looking down over the eternal city.

I recommend the Hotel Colonna as a good base in Frascati.

If you can book a low cost flight to Venice (Marco Polo), why not go by train or taxi to nearby Padova, a sophisticated city with good shops, restaurants and hotels.

Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel contains one of the world’s greatest works of art, a complete cycle of frescoes painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305, the first time an artist created life-like figures with realistic expressions.

Padova is home to one of the most important places of Christian worship, the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, where pilgrims pray to the saint.

Foodies will be fascinated by the variety of shops and stalls in the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza delle Frutta.

You could take the train to Venice (35 mins) and arrive in style at Santa Lucia railway station on the Grand Canal, then return to Padova at night to enjoy an excellent meal, at a lower price than you would pay around St Mark’s Square.

Good places to stay in Padova are Hotel Belludi 37 and Hotel Europa.

For more detailed information about Padova visit www.bestofpadova.com.

There are currently some bargain flights to be found for Bergamo Caravaggio airport, also known as Milan Bergamo.  And you will be missing a trick if you don’t stay and explore Bergamo, a historic city with two distinct centres.

Bergamo's beautiful Piazza Vecchia

The upper town is a beautiful, walled city with buildings that date back to medieval times, but there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to welcome visitors.

At the heart of the city is Piazza Vecchia, remodelled during the Renaissance and praised by architects as the most beautiful square in Italy.

Walk through the archways under Palazzo della Ragione to see the Colleoni Chapel, considered the finest Renaissance building in Italy.

The lower town also has elegant buildings and a good choice of restaurants and hotels. From there you could take the train to Milan (50 mins) to see the sights, but in the evening you will be glad to return to the peace of Bergamo and dine within its 16th century walls.

I'd recommend staying at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco or the Hotel Cappello d’Oro while in Bergamo.

For more detailed information about Bergamo visit www.bestofbergamo.com.

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Hotel Belludi 37 Padova

This charming hotel is right in the historic centre of Padova

An ideal base for a stay in Padova is the area between the Basilica di Sant’Antonio and the city’s main square, Prato delle Valle.

The Hotel Belludi 37 is about halfway between these two sights in a converted palazzo in Via Beato Luca Belludi. It is in a perfect location for people wishing to explore the city on foot, with most of the ‘must see’ attractions within a short walk of the hotel.

Hotel Belludi 37

Despite its traditional façade, the Hotel Belludi 37 is very modern on the inside with a simple contemporary décor and modern furniture in all the guest rooms.

The reception desk just inside the entrance hallway is always manned by friendly, helpful staff and a staircase with ornate wrought iron balustrading leads up to the guest rooms and the breakfast room.

The hotel offers free wireless internet and the use of bicycles for getting around Padova. It is in an area well off for bars and restaurants but is close to tram and bus stops if you want to travel further afield.

Many guests have commented after their stay that the Hotel Belludi 37 feels more like a four star than a two star hotel.

Editor’s note: “Having experienced the friendly service I can well understand why so many of the guests return to Hotel Belludi 37 on their next visit to Padova.”

Why stay at Hotel Belludi 37 in Padova

The Hotel Belludi 37 provides modern, stylish accommodation right in the centre of Padova.

It is a short walk away from Basilica di Sant’Antonio and Prato delle Valle, two of Padova’s main attractions.

There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops within easy reach of the hotel and it is close to a stop for the tram that goes to the railway station.
Book a room at Hotel Belludi 37, Padova with Hotels.com or compare prices at Expedia UK.

What to see in Padova

Padova is one of the most important centres for religion and art in Italy and is home to the country’s second oldest university.

The enormous Basilica del Santo was built in the 13th century to preserve the mortal remains of Sant’Antonio, a Franciscan monk who became famous for his miracles. The magnificent church attracts pilgrims from all over the world and is rich with works of art by masters such as Titian and Tiepolo.

Padova has become acknowledged as the birthplace of modern art because it is home to the Scrovegni Chapel, the inside of which is covered with frescoes by Giotto, a genius who was the first to paint people with realistic facial expressions showing emotion.

At Bo, Padova’s university founded in 1222, you can still see the original lectern where Galileo held his lessons and the world’s first anatomy theatre where dissections were secretly carried out from 1594.

Visitors are also fascinated by the extensive range of food stalls and shops in the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza delle Frutta.

Directions:

Hotel Belludi 37 is located in Via Beato Luca Belludi. The nearest tram stop is a short walk away in Prato delle Valle.

Restaurant recommendation:

Zairo in Prato delle Valle is close to the Hotel Belludi 37. The elegant restaurant is decorated with chandeliers, statues and frescoes, echoing the grandeur of the square.

Ristorante Zairo

When Zairo was renovated in 1988, the original architecture of an earlier church on the site was uncovered and this has been skilfully incorporated into the design of the restaurant along with a 17th century fresco that has been preserved.

The restaurant’s statues and wall decorations recall the Roman activities that would once have taken place within the elliptical space of Prato delle Valle, such as chariot races and theatre entertainment.

Zairo’s menu offers a wide choice of meat and fish dishes, some typical of the Veneto and some specialities from Puglia . There is also an extensive pizza list.

The restaurant, at 51 Prato delle Valle, close to the Basilica of Santa Giustina, is open from 12.00 to 14.30 and from 19.00 to 01.00. It is closed on Mondays.

Local specialities:

Cucina padovana (Padovan cooking) is similar to that of Venice but with a few traditions all of its own.

Look out for risotto ricco alla padovana which is served with duck and chicken and risotto with radicchio, a vegetable grown locally.

Popular pasta dishes include tortelli di zucca dolce (sweet pumpkin stuffed ravioli) and bigoli con ragu d’anatra (little strings of pasta with a duck sauce).

Various cuts of chicken and duck served with a variety of different sauces and vegetable accompaniments feature strongly among secondi piatti in most restaurants.  

Local wines:

Many good wines are produced in the area around Padova.

You will see Pinot Bianco and Soave among the white wines on menus.

If you like red wine you will be spoilt for choice as Merlot, Bardolino and Valpolicella are all produced in the Veneto .

And if you fancy something sparkling make sure you sample some light, refreshing Prosecco. Not far from the city is the so-called strada del Prosecco, the road between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, which is lined with wineries producing Prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), the stamp of quality given to the best Italian wines.

Shopping:

There are designer fashion shops in the centre of the city, fascinating food markets in Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe and antiques and bric a brac on sale at the weekend markets held in Prato della Valle.

Book a room at the Hotel Belludi 37, Padova with Expedia UK or check prices with Hotels.com.

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Hotel Europa Padova

Modern hotel well placed for exploring historic Padova in northern Italy

Hotel Europa Padova

Close to the Scrovegni Chapel, convenient for the tram and in the heart of the most exclusive shopping area, the four star Hotel Europa is in an excellent location in Padova.

A smart, comfortable hotel in Largo Europa, the Europa is just a short walk from the historic centre of Padova and the bars, restaurants and shops around Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe.
The Eremitani Church and Scrovegni Chapel are only a few streets away while some of the best shops and department stores in the city are virtually on the doorstep.
The hotel serves an excellent buffet breakfast and the friendly staff on the reception desk are always on hand to advise guests about what to see and do in Padova.

A few metres from the hotel at the end of Largo Europa there are stops for the tram services to the railway station and to Basilica di Sant’Antonio and Prato delle Valle.

Basilica di Sant'Antonio

There is wi-fi throughout the hotel and there are meeting rooms and special facilities available for business travellers. All 80 guest rooms have air conditioning, work desks and complimentary internet access.

Editor’s note: “During my stay I found that the reception staff were very helpful, recommending restaurants and booking radio controlled taxis for me that all arrived within a matter of minutes”.

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel Europa, go to our hotel booking partner Expedia UK or try Hotels.com.

Why stay at Hotel Europa in Padova?

The four star Hotel Europa is a smart, efficiently run, comfortable hotel in a really good location.

It is right in the middle of the best area for shopping and within walking distance of the historic centre of Padova.

The Hotel Europa is within a tram or taxi ride of the main railway station and within walking distance or a tram ride of the famous Basilica di Sant’Antonio.

What to see near Hotel Europa in Padova

Close to the Hotel Europa is the Cappella degli Scrovegni (the Scrovegni Chapel), which houses one of the world’s greatest art treasures.

The interior of the chapel is entirely covered with frescoes painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305, which have been acknowledged as marking the beginning of modern art in Europe.

Visits to the chapel are carefully organised to protect the condition of the frescoes. Tickets have to be booked in advance and collected one hour before the time of the visit.

For more information visit www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it

Directions: The Hotel Europa is at Largo Europa 9. From the railway station in Piazzale della Stazione you can either take the tram or walk down Corso del Popolo, turn right into Via Matteoti and left into Largo Europa. The Hotel Europa is on the right.

Restaurant recommendation: Antica Trattoria Zaramella
Next door to the hotel is one of Padova’s most historic restaurants, Antica Trattoria Zaramella, which has been recommended in the Italia Michelin Guide. 

Prato della Valle

The restaurant can trace its history back to 1856 and has evidence that in 1860 a letter was delivered for a customer who had used the Zaramella as an address.

Antica Trattoria Zaramella has been under the direction of the Verni family since 1987 and serves dishes typical of the Veneto featuring both meat and fish.

Local specialities: Cucina padovana (Padovan cooking) is similar to that of Venice with a few traditions of its own. Look out for risotto ricco alla padovana which is served with duck and chicken and risotto with radicchio, a vegetable grown locally. Popular pasta dishes include tortelli di zucca dolce (sweet pumpkin stuffed ravioli) and bigoli con ragu d’anatra (little strings of pasta with a duck sauce).

Various cuts of chicken and duck, served with a variety of different sauces and vegetable accompaniments, feature strongly among secondi piatti in most restaurants.

Local wines: White: In Padova you will see Pinot Bianco and Soave on many wine lists.

Red: Merlot, Bardolino and Valpolicella are all produced in the Veneto.

Sparkling: Try some light, refreshing Prosecco while in Padova. Not far from the city is the strada del Prosecco, the road between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, which is lined with wineries producing Prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) the stamp of quality given to the best wines.
Editor’s note: “In my opinion Prosecco is better than Champagne.”

Shopping: There are designer fashion shops close to the Hotel Europa, a fascinating food market in Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe and antiques and bric a brac on sale at the weekend markets held in Prato della Valle, Padova’s elegant main square.

Book a room at the Hotel Europa with Hotels.com or Expedia UK

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