We knew that our travel day on Friday would be challenging due to the transportation strike. We left our apartment in Padua at 11:00 a.m. and arrived at Hotel Broletto in Mantova at 7:00 p.m. On the way, we encountered many other travelers who were experiencing difficulties. Our day was long but we had a solid plan (reserving seats on the private FlixBus), that worked to get us to our next stop, Mantova on the same day. What would have been a 2-hour train ride turned into a 8-hour slog. On the positive side, people were kind but weary and most accepted the inconvenience without much complaint. Along the way I got to practice my Italian speaking with an elderly Italian woman from Sardinia who was leaving Padua after a 10 day hospital stay for cancer treatment. Her nephew was with her to help her travel back home. We met a young couple from New Jersey who had only been married five days. They were delayed getting to Venice but just happy to be together. And at the train station in Verona we met a young woman trying to get to Modena to begin her residency training in gynecology.
Our bus had a several hour layover in Verona and we saw a train going to Mantova earlier than the bus. We bought tickets and waited for the train which was canceled at the very last minute. Luckily we still had our FlixBus tickets and we got money back for our unused rail ticket. All just an example of the importance of flexibility in travel.
Mantova is another stunning northern Italian city with a Duomo, clock towers, and many palazzos. After a long day of travel we had dinner at Osteria della Fragoletta. One of the traditional dishes in Mantova is tortellini filled with pumpkin, served here swimming in butter and topped with a sage leaf.
Dessert was a torta with ricotta and chocolate on an orange cream sauce decorated with tasty kumquats. All very good!
We were grateful for our friend Ted’s suggestion of visiting Palazzo Te while here. Here’s one description:
”It’s a 16th-century villa built for the Gonzaga family. The place is full of wild frescoes and mind-bending art — especially the famous Chamber of the Giants, where it feels like the walls are collapsing around you!”
Each room has stunning frescos by artist Giulio Romano, most depicting scenes from mythology. It’s an absolute treasure.
Around town there was a Saturday market with artfully displayed fruits and vegetables.
And a hat shop!
There are porticos…many with tables and chairs for snacks and aperitifs.
Speaking of apertivos…sometimes a Hugo Spritz and a bowl of chips is just the right thing!
We have on more full day here but still much to see! Now we’re off the tour the Ducale Palace! Hoping all is well with you!
Cheers! S & L