We packed up our belongings in preparation for a move to Padua. Although Verona was lovely we had managed to see most of the important sights in one day. There were several museums we could have visited and I would have loved to spend a night at the Arena but most of the experience of Verona is walking through the Old City soaking up the atmosphere and admiring the historical beauty of the buildings.
This hotel didn't included breakfast and considering the small amounts of food our children choose to nibble in the morning we decided not to pay extra. We threw our bags in the back of the car and I got out the directions to Padua.
The children decided it was time to name the Insignia so after some discussion we settled for Siman Tov! (It means Good Omen in Hebrew)
Padua was a few miles down the autostrada and although the instructions tried to send me in the wrong direction as we left the autostrada I soon figured it out.
Padua has all its streets clearly marked which made it easier to find the hotel though squeezing Siman Tov through the narrow streets tested Eyal's driving skills.
Our hotel was situated right in the centre of town. A stone's throw from St Anthony's Basilica and within easy walking distance of all the sights. This also meant there was no parking but the very friendly gentleman at the reception gave us a map and excellent directions to all the possible parking places. When he mentioned the parking at Rabin Square we knew that was the place for us!
Because Padua is well organised for tourists they have something called the PaduaCard which gives you free entrance to various sights, free travel on public transport and free parking in Rabin square. There was a small tourist kiosk near us but they only accepted cash and anyway by the time I got back to them they were closed.
So with the help of our handy tourist map I navigated us through the narrow, and frequently one-way, streets of Padua until we got close to the main tourist office which was in the middle of the main pedestrian area.
We parked in Rabin Square and walked back to our hotel through the magnificent Palle.
In the centre of the piazza was a beautiful garden with gravel walkways between the tree dotted lawns leading to a fountain which was both attractive and pleasantly cooling. Many people lounged on the ground under the trees while a few children splashed in the fountain.
Around the square were some gorgeous buildings and in the corner the sophia.
We found an unoccupied piece of lawn in the shade of a tree and sat to rest a little.
I flicked through the small guide book they gave us with the Paduacard listing all the sights available and giving a little information on each. A quick glance and I soon realised that there was miles too much to see in one day.
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