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Padua,
the Scrovegni chapel and a boat trip
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| We
go to Padua to see Giotto's restored frescoes and
find time for a boat trip through the city's canals. |
 Visitors
to Padua come to admire Giotto's recently restored
frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, savvy sightseers
will then go for a walk around the centre of town
but unfortunately most leave without taking an evocative
boat trip along the city's canals. But one thing
at a time . . . first let's book
our visit to view Giotto's famous cycle . . .
The Scrovegni Chapel is perhaps the most
important building in Padua, which, in turn, is
perhaps one of the most charming cities in the Veneto
region. After 20 years of planning and 8 months
of painstaking work the newly restored frescoes
went on view for the first time in March 2002.
Make sure you get there on time as you will
only be allowed into the chapel during the time
specified on your ticket; you can of course buy
another ticket at 11 Euro. So make sure you know
how
to get there and try to arrive at the ticket
office an hour before your tour starts. (Each tour
lasts around half an hour.)
It's time to bid farewell to Giotto and (being savvy
sightseers) head towards the central
squares - Piazza delle Erbe, della Frutta
and dei Signori - which surround the magnificent
Palazzo della Ragione. You can browse through the
market for a while before setting off once more,
this time towards Bastione del Portello Nuovo,
on the eastern side of Padua's 16th century
walls where your boat
awaits you. Don't be surprised if Padua's erstwhile
river port seems familiar, its splendid steps were
immortalised by Canaletto. Your boat trip
will bring you from here through Padua's intricate
system of canals - 90 minutes of magic all
for 10 Euro.
Once you're back on terra firma it's time for a
glass of the local aperitif, spritz - a refreshing
blend of Campari, prosecco, soda water and lemon
rind - best sipped leisurely while people-watching
in one of the main squares.
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| by
M. CARLA GLOTIER |
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May
8th, 2002
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
