Day 2 Palmanova & Padova

Palmanova
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Palmanova was our first Italian city.  It was built as a fortress town to protect Venice from Austria in the 17c.  The town is know for it's fortification and urban layout.  The fortified walls are a 9 pointed star with a 6 sided center.  A moat surrounded the city walls and supplied water for cleaning.  An aquaduct brought drinking water in from outside the town.  The weather was amazing.  I felt like I was at the beach with all the Palm trees around.   We spent less than an hour here before we got back on the bus.

One of the main gates to the fortified systm in Palmanova
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In a couple of hours we stopped in Padova.  The town was ful of colorful buildings and many people riding bicycles.  Jacek took us to see St.Antonio's church.   It was beautiful with many domes.  We had dinner for Emily's birthday at a small Italian resturant.  I enjoyed gnocchi (potato, pasta dumplings) and merlot.  Afterwards we got ice cream.  That evening we headed to Vicenza.