We just returned from Italy on a Traveling Professor small group tour with 10 travelers.  After 4 days in Florence visiting great sites like the Chianti region and the Uffizi's Vasari corridor, we headed off for 5 nights in Padua.   Never heard of it?  Well you should know it.  It might just be the best city in all of Italy. 

First timers always visit Rome, Florence, and Venice.   Our most popular small group tours to Italy involves Rome, Venice, and Florence also.  However, we recommend to get past the tourists and trinket shops to get a more intimate view of Italy.   In the past few years, I've discovered the Veneto region of Italy.  I love the authentic culture, food, in a relaxed atmosphere.  Check out my blog post and I will tell you more about Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Lake Garda.

Most travelers who have not visited Italy before think of a tour to the Colosseum, the Accademia in Florence to see David, or maybe Venice to visit St. Mark's Square is on what should be on their itinerary.  But for those of us who have enjoyed Italy before and want to go past the souvenir stands, escape the hordes of foreign tourists, and enjoy the REAL Italy, does The Traveling Professor have a tour for you.   Take a look at today's blog post to see a delightful itinerary of Italy that is yours for discovery. 

I have been to Italy many times in April, but never with great weather like this.  No rain, temps in the 70's.   I could use less crowds but for the most part, they have been A-OK.    Since my first report we have continued to roam about Rome, headed up to Florence, traversed over to Padua and Venice.   I have seen most of the sights while leading my small group tours to Italy, so I am doing my best to enjoy the weather, relax, and eat some good food.

The top spots to visit in Italy are Rome, Florence and Venice.  But after visiting these places I looked for something a little more laid-back, a little less touristy and crowded, a little bit more authentic.   So, I traveled to Padua in the Veneto region last March and fell in love with it.   I liked it so much that we will be offering regular small group tours to Padau and the Veneto region of Italy in 2014.   Read my blog post to see why you want to put Padua on the list on the next tour to Italy.

Before leading a small group tour of Florence and Venice earlier this year, I took a personal 2-day trip to the Venetto region of Italy.  Padua (also known as Padova) is located here, about 30 miles west of Venice.   Although Padua is a small city and below the radar of many traveling to Italy, it is rich in interesting and under-rated sites.   I like how laid-back Padua is compared to the tourist crowded cities of Florence and Venice.   Take a look at my blog post to find out what to see, where to eat, and where to stay in Padua.