We’ve arrived — jet-lagged but grinning — ready to do Italy the Rick Steves way. Padua is the perfect jumping-off point: lively, historic, and just right for easing into village life (preferably with a cappuccino in hand). Thanks to Rick Steves Tours, check-in was blissfully simple — keys, smiles, done. Our boutique hotel? Adorably old-school. It felt like stepping into our Nonni’s house — lace curtains, polished wood, and enough Italian bric-a-brac to make us instantly feel at home.

Majestic Toscanelli

Our boutique hotel - checking in was no effort at all.

View From Our Balcony

The place was adorable and reminded us our Nonni’s home from our childhoods.

Classic Italian bric-a-brac

Lace curtains, polished wood, provided a charming homebase.

Ready for our First Italian Meal

Annette and I - Ready for the Antipasto!

The food! The food!

Having a private dinning venue was beyond our expectations!

The Church - Baroque Drama

Swirling marble, gilded details, and dramatic flair — this altar proves Italians don’t do anything halfway.

Getting Delightfully Lost

We happily got “lost” in Padua’s charming back alleys — the best way to explore Italy.

Golden Hour in Padua

As the sun dipped low, statues and pastel facades reflected in still water — a postcard-perfect Italian evening.

Scholars & Centuries

At the University of Padua, students have been chasing big ideas since 1222 — and you can almost feel the brainpower in the walls.