Uniworld River Cruise Diary Day Two: Padua

Donatello statue of Gattamelata in front of the Basilica of Saint Anthony

Leaving the beautiful mayhem that is Venice, day two of Uniworld’s Venice & The Gems Of Northern Italy requires disembarking from the luxurious River Countess.

Taking a fast set of wheels directly west on a 45-minute bus journey brings you to a 13th-century university town, the picturesque city of Padua (which counts none other than Galileo amongst its impressive alumni).

Padua University

Padua University

And if Venice is swamped by the tourist hordes then Padua has every right to be suitably jealous. The city has all the picture postcard views, too, yet the tourist coaches aren’t exactly blocking its local thoroughfares.

Not that this is a bad thing at all.

Padua’s a neat, tidy, easily navigable, cobblestoned city that, thanks to the university (the second oldest in Europe), boasts a funky, young feel minus Venice’s extortionate price tags.

Getting to Padua is also easy by train or road and it’s a viable overnight option for those keen on avoiding those astronomical Venetian room tariffs.

This writer’s no shopper, but I was dutifully informed by my female travelling companions that Padua boasts a range of reasonable high-end stores, agreeable food and fashion markets for those keen on a nice meal and a bargain.

Padua Basillica Of Saint Anthony

Padua Basillica Of Saint Anthony

The city’s eminently walkable and cyclable and, unlike a lot of historic Italian towns, easy to get around for those with mobility issues.

A guided walking tour proved all the more informative and beat trying to second guess yourself from an ageing guidebook. The only downside was our guide’s rather thick accent which meant we missed the odd historical tidbit.

And sadly, it’s also one of those ancient European cities that boasts a magnificent centrepiece in the 12th-century town hall – the Palazzo della Regione – that frustratingly refuses to let tourists see the inside of the place.

Padua Palazzo della Regione

Padua Palazzo della Regione

But even if you’re the cathedral-averse type, Padua’s Basilica of Saint Anthony is worth a visit for its free entry, ultra stunning artefacts and the display of the jarred tongue of its saintly namesake.

All up, the sights, shopping and lunch (seven Euro for a panini and glass of red) means Padua is well worth a day of your time and a great contrast to Venice’s well-beaten track.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]