Venture just 40 kilometres west of Venice, and you’ll stumble upon the bustling piazzos and dense arcaded streets of the university town of Padua. Housing one of the oldest universities in the world, you’ll find stunning architecture and statues and frescos spanning centuries in this historic city, that served as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew.

A short drive outside the city, at the foot of the Euganean Hills, you can experience the region’s healing waters at the thermal spa town of Abano Terme. Slink into one of the thermal pools – heated by the hot springs – at the luxury five-star Abano Grand and let the water’s properties work their magic.

With anti-stress and anti-ageing properties, you’ll feel reborn just floating in the warm springs (a bonus for exercise dodgers: it’s not advised to swim due to the warm temperature!) After, opt for tailor-made spa treatments, from lymphatic drainage and reflexology, to anti-ageing facials and massages.

Once you’re rejuvenated, explore the stunning Euganean Hills on horseback, by bike, or brave it with a Nordic walk. Dotted with clusters of villages, breathtaking villas and vineyards, the scenery is camera-at-the-ready perfect.

While you're there…

Visit vignalta vineyard
Make a stop-off at the Vignalta vineyard, set amongst the beautiful backdrop of the rambling Euganean Hills. Pull up a chair at the large pine table in the shop-come-cellar and while away an afternoon feasting on olives, freshly-baked bread and a variety of tasty local cheeses – all washed down with the delicious grapes from the region.

Hide out in a thermal grotto
A chill-out session in a thermal grotto is the ultimate de-stresser – and can combat weight gain. Also used to cure insomnia, it’s the ideal way to relax, before curling up on a poolside sunbed.

Feel fango fantastic
Using clay from the Euganean Hills, matured in thermal water, a Fango (mud treatment) is a must-do experience. Applied warm to the body, it not only stimulates relaxation of the muscles, relieving stress, but it also restores the skin’s brightness, elasticity and softness.