Day trips

Corte Spinata is just outside the village of Melara, which is near Ostiglia. Its location is particularly strategic.

It's surrounded by the most famous historic cities of the North East of Italy: Venice, Verona, Mantova, Ferrara, Padova and Bologna, Ravenna as well as less famous but charming towns and villages that are just perfect for daytrips. Further on, we’ll explain where they are and how to get there.

We have envisioned our apartments as a base for a Grand tour, a cultural exploration of Italy in the style of travelers in the 18th century, discovering the legacy of classical art and renaissance masterpieces; or as a home away from home for those who are studying or working remotely; for short breaks or longer stays. What could be better than the tranquility of the Italian countryside, far from traffic, noise, and pollution?

Here are some suggestions on how to explore this part of Italy by train principally, for comfort, economy and to cut down on our carbon footprint.

Getting around: by Train

Download the TRENITALIA, ITALO, DDB , ÖBB APP to consult fares, travel times and book train tickets.

Our holiday apartments are near:

  • OSTIGLIA train station, which is about 8km, just 10 minutes by car from Corte Spinata. It has ample free parking. This station is located on the important BRENNERO-VERONA-Ostiglia-BOLOGNA line. Only local/regional trains stop at Ostiglia station. Trains run frequently in both directions. It connects you directly, quickly and cheaply to:
    • VERONA PORTA NUOVA (30 min)
    • BOLOGNA CENTRALE (1 hr)

  • LEGNAGO train station, is 20 km or 22 minutes by car from Corte Spinata. There is free parking around the station. Many cities can be easily reached from this station. To reach:
    • PADOVA train station (1 hour 10 minutes)
    • VENICE S.L. train station (1 hour 40 minutes)

The biggest historic and cultural city nearest to Corte Spinata is VERONA. Here you can visit JULIET'S BALCONY from Shakespeare's play "ROMEO and JULIET". Verona is famous for:

  • concerts and ARENA OPERA FESTIVAL
  • the Roman Theatre, where we have a Jazz, ballet, theatre and Shakespeare festival
  • the OLDEST LIBRARY "CAPITOLARE" in the world, open since from 1 August 517
  • INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR: DOOR TO DOOR:1 HOUR MAX in total from Corte Spinata


TO VENICE FROM CORTE SPINATA

There are four different ways of getting to Venice. You can take the train or drive. The train is by far the easiest and cheapest way, the second-class ticket is very reasonable. I suggest using TRENITALIA, the public train company. The app 'TRENITALIA' can be downloaded easily, from which you can buy tickets and check the timetables.

The beauty of arriving by train to VENICE-SANTA LUCIA is that you GET DIRECTLY TO THE GRAND CANAL, without the stress or expense of parking. You could also drive to Venice, though parking should be booked in advance.

BY TRAIN
There are three routes:
  1. via Legnago
  2. via Monselice
  3. via Verona

1st route: VIA LEGNAGO

The train station is 20 km / 22 minutes from Corte Spinata. You will find free parking around the station and then take the train to VENEZIA-SANTA LUCIA. Travellers have to transfer to another train on this route, check the TRENITALIA app. ( In total from LEGNAGO station, the train journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes).

2nd route: via MONSELICE

There is a large, free car park with no time limit. This is close to the station (turn right 100 m before arriving at the station).This station is 80 km away from Corte Spinata. The train journey takes 50 minutes in total. Trains to and from VENEZIA-SANTA LUCIA run very often on this line. The MONSELICE station is on the important FLORENCE-BOLOGNA-Monselice-PADOVA-VENICE Santa Lucia line. Drive out of Corte Spinata and turn right. Drive towards BERGANTINO and then MONSELICE. You can type 'STAZIONE TRENI MONSELICE' into your sat-nav to be sure to reach it. Tickets can be bought easily on the Trenitalia app because sometimes you cannot buy tickets at the smaller train stations. You can also check their timetables. It's the same for the return journey.

3rd route: Via VERONA

You can get to Venice via Verona cheaply and easily (passing through Vicenza, Padua and Mestre) leaving your car at the train station in Ostiglia. From Ostiglia TRAIN STATION you get to Verona, where trains leave for Venice very frequently. The journey lasts about an hour and a half. There are various times and fares. On the same trip you could make a stop off at Vicenza or Padova. The best plan would be to:

  • leave Ostiglia station
  • arriving in Verona Porta-Nuova
  • take train to Venice
  • arriving in Venice Santa-Lucia
Return from Venice S.L. to Verona P.N. every hour. Check when the last train leaves Venice for Verona P.N., so you can catch the connecting train to Ostiglia at VERONA P.N. …of course, it would be wonderful to spend a night in Venice, Burano, or Murano as many of our guests have done!

The fourth possibility : BY CAR

You could also DRIVE to VENICE from Corte Spinata (it's 140 km from Corte Spinata). You can park in one of the car parks in Piazzale Roma, parking can be booked online beforehand.


PADOVA: From Corte Spinata by car to Legnago train station (20 km /22 minutes) and then by train to Padova (1 hour 10 minutes ). To Padova by car: 100 km / 1 hour 20 minutes

VICENZA: (via Verona: by train in total 1 hour40 minutes). To Vicenza by car 1 hour 10 minutes: 100 km

Getting around: by Car

These are perfect to visit by car:
  • Mantova 42 km
  • Fratta Polesine 42 km (A VERY IMPORTANT ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM),
  • Curtatone 46 km ( MADONNARI ANNUAL FESTIVAL : STREET ARTISTS CREATE AMAZING PAINTINGS OF THE VIRGIN MARY ON THE CITY PAVEMENTS : 14/15 AUGUST)
  • Ferrara 48 km
  • Modena 64 km
  • Sabbioneta 72 km (A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A RENAISSANCE STYLE CITY)
  • Brescello 74 km (CAMILLO - DON PEPPONE )
  • Solferino 75 km (THE RED CROSS MEMORIAL)
  • Colorno 87 km
  • Maranello-FERRARI (83 km)
  • Parma 90 km
  • Reggio Emilia 100 km
  • Cremona 119 km (THE VIOLIN MUSEUM)
  • Ravenna 120 km
  • GARDALAND: 82 km / 1 hour 10 minutes by car
  • LAKE GARDA: Peschiera: 86 km /1 hour by car
  • ADRIATIC SEA : CHIOGGIA- ROSOLINA (100 km / 1 hour 40 minutes) : Delicious fresh fish.

There are many other interesting towns and villages : Isola Boschina, Revere, Felonica, Gazzo Veronese, Gonzaga, San Benedetto Po, Po River Museum in Rovigo.

Don't hesitate to ask us for suggestions or routes, we are more than happy to help!

ITALIAN WINE

You can visit local wineries where you can have a tour, taste the wine and purchase their products.

  • around the hills of "VALPOLICELLA" (closer to Verona) red Valpolicella and white Soave and Custoza. You can also buy delicious olive oil from local producers.
  • you can explore interesting wineries nearer Corte Spinata, that specialize in the production of local wine "LAMBRUSCO"