Bergamo or Vicenza?
Feb 27th, 2022, 01:13 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bergamo or Vicenza?
I have up to 5 nights available, looking for a pedestrian-friendly Italian town. My interests are history, museums, & delicious food, trying to avoid "big city traffic"... I've been to most of the Must See Italian Towns (Siena, Florence, Parma, Bologna, Rome, Milan, etc). I'll be traveling solo and will be arriving via train from Interlaken (no rental car).
Which would you choose and why? Am especially interested in hearing from people who have visited both cities, but all input is welcome!
Which would you choose and why? Am especially interested in hearing from people who have visited both cities, but all input is welcome!
Feb 27th, 2022, 01:20 PM
#2
Venice, unique
Ferrara, cycling uniquePadova, the buildingsVerona, all the buildingsSoave, the wallsBergamo alto, cause it is high up and small and cuteThen possibly Vicenza a long way down the list of towns in the Po, after Mandova, Bologna etc etc
Ferrara, cycling uniquePadova, the buildingsVerona, all the buildingsSoave, the wallsBergamo alto, cause it is high up and small and cuteThen possibly Vicenza a long way down the list of towns in the Po, after Mandova, Bologna etc etc
Feb 27th, 2022, 03:27 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really enjoyed my short time in both towns (a few days in each).
If your interest is architecture then maybe Vicenza. Loved the Teatro Olimpico. Vicenza also offers access to nearby towns such as Bassano del Grappa. Evening drinks in the main square was very enjoyable.
However, I think Bergamo is more beautiful and because it's a hill town you have a sense of it sitting within it's natural environment. The town is on three levels (we stayed in the middle one) and it is very walkable (assisted by funiculars and buses). Some enjoyable galleries, good food and nice places to just hang out. Possibly fewer (ticketed) 'sights' to see. You also have access to some of the towns further north (by bus) and to lake Como. The views made breakfast at the cafe near the top of the funicular a real treat and great start to the day.
If cycling (and history) are your thing, then Ferrara (which is dead flat).
If your interest is architecture then maybe Vicenza. Loved the Teatro Olimpico. Vicenza also offers access to nearby towns such as Bassano del Grappa. Evening drinks in the main square was very enjoyable.
However, I think Bergamo is more beautiful and because it's a hill town you have a sense of it sitting within it's natural environment. The town is on three levels (we stayed in the middle one) and it is very walkable (assisted by funiculars and buses). Some enjoyable galleries, good food and nice places to just hang out. Possibly fewer (ticketed) 'sights' to see. You also have access to some of the towns further north (by bus) and to lake Como. The views made breakfast at the cafe near the top of the funicular a real treat and great start to the day.
If cycling (and history) are your thing, then Ferrara (which is dead flat).
Mar 3rd, 2022, 11:13 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bergamo Alta (upper) is a very pretty small town, beautiful architecture, beautiful views from the ramparts surrounding upper Bergamo, especially the sunsets of the valley. Nice narrow roads and lanes many closed to vehicles in the city center. Very good restaurants, food stuffs , cafes and shops. I’ve always thought there was something magical, peaceful and calm about Bergamo evenings.
Bergamo Bassa (lower), is the sprawling modern portion of the city below the hill,top portion of Bergamo. Bassa is a very clean, nice urban area especially for a Italian city. You mentioned no chaos traffic. In bassa the roads are wide and there’s plenty of stop lights and more amazingly the drivers stop and obey the lights and other traffic rules. For a modern city there is no chaotic traffic, people cross streets at the lights, no Vespa’s riding on the sidewalk running you over and all,of the other chaos of many Italian cities. More hotels and apartments to rent in lower along with those in upper Bergamo. There’s escalators at a few points to take pedestrians up to alta. Bergamo upper and lower are very good pedestrian areas. There’s also buses and taxis for a quick ride up.
Bergamo Bassa (lower), is the sprawling modern portion of the city below the hill,top portion of Bergamo. Bassa is a very clean, nice urban area especially for a Italian city. You mentioned no chaos traffic. In bassa the roads are wide and there’s plenty of stop lights and more amazingly the drivers stop and obey the lights and other traffic rules. For a modern city there is no chaotic traffic, people cross streets at the lights, no Vespa’s riding on the sidewalk running you over and all,of the other chaos of many Italian cities. More hotels and apartments to rent in lower along with those in upper Bergamo. There’s escalators at a few points to take pedestrians up to alta. Bergamo upper and lower are very good pedestrian areas. There’s also buses and taxis for a quick ride up.
Mar 7th, 2022, 04:04 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I loved Bergamo, been twice and have considered it for a longer stay in the future. I have also been to Vicenza twice and was not really taken by it either time. Yes some nice architecture but I think Bergamo is actually much prettier and more interesting. Especially the upper town. Other towns to consider if you haven't been are Ferrera and Mantova. Here's my pic of those towns: https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f418766414, https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f176319487
