There’s no doubt that St. Mark’s Square is the number one tourist attraction in Venice, which is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. Dominated by the impressive red-brick Campanile and framed by the Doge’s Palace, the old Procuracy Buildings and a portion of the Lagoon, this is Venice at its most quintessential. Still, the…
Newest Posts
Exploring the Euganean Hills – An Amazing Day Trip from Padua, Italy
Only a few kilometers south of pretty Padua, the Euganean Hills unexpectedly rise out of the flat plain of the Southern Veneto Region. Formed by volcanic activity about 30 million years ago, the small hilltops have been a favourite holiday destination for hundreds of years. Visitors have long appreciated both the curative properties of the…
Visiting Villa Barbarigo Garden in Valsanzibio – Voted the Most Beautiful Garden in Italy
There are plenty of reasons to check out the pretty landscape of the Euganean Hills south of Padua. We loved the area for its fantastic hikes, cute villages with well-preserved medieval cores and warm springs. One place you definitely shouldn’t miss in the area is the beautiful baroque garden of the Villa Barbarigo, which has…
The Best Things to Do in Padua, Italy – A Great One Day Itinerary
During our recent trip to northern Italy’s Veneto Region, we also stopped in the pretty University town of Padua, about halfway between Verona and Venice. Contrary to its more famous neighbours, the city only sees a fraction of their visitor numbers, which makes exploring its sights all the more rewarding. Apart from some beautiful palazzos…
What to Know About Exploring the UNESCO-listed Botanical Garden in Padua, Italy
The northern Italian city of Padua is truly a gem full of amazing things to discover. Not only is it home to some beautiful architecture and a series of fantastic 14th century frescoes but also to the second-largest square in Europe and the oldest Botanical Garden in the World. Personally, I’m a sucker for Parks…
Is Getting a JR-Pass Still Worth It? Everything to Know About the Japan Rail Pass for Tourists
Updated in January 2026 – this guide includes the new prices and all the current information. Japan is not only a wonderfully unique destination in terms of its beautiful cultural sights and amazing landscapes, but it’s also one of the most traveler-friendly countries we ever came across, especially when it comes to Public Transport. The…
The 14th-Century Fresco Cycles of Padua, Italy – Which of the UNESCO Sites Are Worth Visiting?
Pretty Padua in Northern Italy’s Veneto Region seems to dwell in the shadow of its more famous neighbours Venice and Verona and therefore only sees a fraction of their visitor numbers. For that reason alone, we wanted to drop by and explore the beautiful historical city centre and stroll around the World’s oldest Botanical Garden….
Exploring Villa Zileri near Vicenza – One of Northern Italy’s Prettiest Villas
Countless palazzos and villas dot the hills surrounding the northern Italian city of Vicenza but you’d be hard-pressed to find one as unique as Villa Zileri. Not only does it feature a salon decorated with paintings created by Giambattista Tiepolo, but there’s also a chapel covered in beautiful frescoes and a grotto embellished with thousands…
10 Amazing Things to do in Vicenza, Italy – The Ultimate Guide to the City of Palladio
Lying about halfway between the northern Italian tourist favourites of Verona and Padua, quaint Vicenza sees only a fraction of their visitor numbers but those travelers who decide to stop and check it out are in for a treat. The entire city is an architectural delight, thanks to the efforts of the immensely influential 16th…
A Driving Tour through the Valpolicella-Region – A fun Day Trip from Verona
Italian cities are usually chock-full of culture and history, which makes them such fun places to explore, but after a while it’s likely that you’ll fall prey to that old museum fatigue. In our experience, there’s no better way to replenish our energy than by taking tours of the beautiful countryside surrounding the cities. The…