After the Padova Marathon: Vicenza

The Route: Padova → Vicenza → Padova Logistics: A train of about 15 to 30 minutes each way, depending on the service. The centre is flat and walkable from the station. Marathon Month: April Duration: Day trip

Padova ──(15-30 mins train)──> Vicenza
   ▲                              │
   └──(trains every 10-30 mins)───┘

Vicenza is the nearest big city to Padova and the home of the architect Andrea Palladio, whose palaces and villas gave the world a classical style. The Padova Marathon finishes on a Sunday in mid-April, and the Monday after, the train to Vicenza is a short and easy trip. Many city museums close on Mondays, so check the opening days of the Teatro Olimpico and the civic museums at the Vicenza museums' website before you travel. Train times and fares are at trenitalia.com.

April in Vicenza: the weather is mild but can be damp. The streets are not crowded, and the outdoor cafés on the main street are open.

The Palladian centre

From the station, walk along Viale Roma and into the old town, which is flat and compact. The main street, Corso Andrea Palladio, is lined with palaces and runs for about 600 m from Piazza Castello to Piazza Matteotti. The surface is paved. Piazza dei Signori is the main square, with the Basilica Palladiana, whose two-storey arcaded loggia Palladio added to a medieval hall. Check whether it is open or hosting an exhibition.

The Teatro Olimpico, begun by Palladio in 1580 and finished after his death, is a small indoor theatre with a permanent stage set that looks like a street in a Roman city. Check opening days and the ticket price at the theatre's website, because it takes a limited number of visitors.

Villa Capra, "La Rotonda"

Palladio's best-known villa, La Rotonda, is on a hill about 2 km from the centre. The walk to it is uphill, so take a bus or taxi. The grounds and the interior open on different days, so check before going.

Lunch and going back

Lunch could be baccalà alla vicentina, a dish of salt cod stewed in milk, which is the local speciality. Trains back to Padova run through the evening, and the last services leave late. Check the timetable before you set out.