Hello friends, I’d like to tell you about my big journey through Northern Italy. I first arrived in Padua by train. After a bus ride and a bit of walking, I finally reached my hotel. It was located right in Europe’s largest square. I strolled around Prato della Valle for a while. This is undoubtedly the biggest square in Europe. It covers 90 acres. Such a vast space was not built in the historic city center but rather in a more peripheral area. The buildings on the right side mostly date back to the 16th century. Some even go as far back as the 10th century. But overall, the architecture is mainly post-Medieval.
This square in Padua should really be seen from above. A writer, politician and governor of Padua named Andrea Memmo decided in 1767 to transform this area into a masterpiece. Today, the square is not just an open space. It is a vast park where people come to find peace.
There used to be 88 statues in this square. During Napoleon’s time, some were removed, especially those of Venice’s rulers and undesirables like Galileo Galilei. Galileo’s statue was later brought back, but many others are still missing. The statues are dedicated to prominent figures, scientists, professors and administrators of Padua. This makes the square not only a park but also an open-air museum. By the way, my hotel was just to the left side of the square.
Newspapers tucked into doors. It is so typically Italian. An old man sitting at the corner of a bar in the morning, drinking espresso and reading the paper. Old wooden doors and iron knockers all create a unique atmosphere. And the cobblestone streets. Yes, they are uneven and hard to walk on, but very aesthetic.
If I had to describe Padua in one word, it would be gallery. That is because there are covered arcades all over the city. Whether it rains or shines, you can walk around comfortably. Another strong image is the stunning churches. Yes, there is a main cathedral, but beyond that, there are incredible buildings. Renaissance, a bit of classical architecture and even the place where Galileo discovered Jupiter’s moons with his telescope is here. In short, Padua is too rich to be defined by a single theme.
Also, the world-famous aperitif Aperol was invented here. And of course, the university. Padua University, where Galileo had his most productive years, is one of the oldest in the world.
I stayed one night in Padua and then continued to one of the nearby medieval towns the next morning. Ah, those Italian mornings. Everyone goes to a bar and gets either an espresso or a cappuccino. Young people drink quickly, while the elderly sit for a long time reading the newspaper. You cannot find this atmosphere anywhere else in the world.
After that, I visited Vicenza. There, I saw works by Palladio. I had a meal at one of the restaurants in the city center. It was self-service, but the payment was hardly supervised. People are relaxed. No one is checking on anyone, yet the place is quiet and peaceful. Vicenza is undoubtedly a calm city. There are very few tourists. You are mostly surrounded by locals. This lets you feel Palladio’s art more intimately.
Later, we explored Milan. I planned to stay three days, but the sun only came out on the last one. Still, Milan turned out to be the biggest surprise of the trip. It is the most modern part of Italy. Skyscrapers, designer squares and concept spaces created by brands like Apple and Starbucks are everywhere. In areas like Brera and Navigli, the Italian vibe is very strong. Fashion and style are everywhere. The city center is closed to foreign vehicles. This reduces traffic and makes Milan very livable.
After that, we traveled to the Ligurian coast. Genoa, Rapallo, Portofino. It was rainy in Genoa, but I did not want to leave without taking some photos. It is one of the few cities not overrun by tourists. It is still alive, with local people going about their daily lives. Maze-like streets and aristocratic buildings show how full of history the city is.
Portofino, on the other hand, is like a dream. A fishing village in touch with nature. New construction is forbidden, so it has preserved its original charm. If you visit in spring or autumn at sunrise, the view is unforgettable.
Our final destination was Switzerland. I traveled to Lucerne by bus. The city is orderly, quiet and spotless. The contrast is incredibly noticeable. Wooden bridges, houses with wall paintings, a lake and mountains. Everything sparkles. With the Lucerne card, all transportation is free. This is a huge convenience. Also, Europe’s largest transportation museum is located here.
This was the last day of the trip. I will write a separate post about Switzerland. Looking back, it was exhausting but also incredibly satisfying. Being prepared for each destination really makes a difference. See you on the next journey.
