Radisson Blu Resort Terme di Galzignano - Hotel Sporting ★★★★

“To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy, The pleasant garden of great Italy...”

It is to the pleasant garden of the Euganean Hills that I have come to enjoy its fruitful vineyards, natural beauty and wonderful arts and culture in the neighbouring city of Padua, as well as the ancient and fascinating villages nearby. To make the most of the spectacular countryside I am going staying in a resort that is nestled in no less than 35 hectares of parkland and offers guests the ultimate in luxury living and supreme relaxation. Or so I am promised and I cannot wait to find out for myself. As I am in the land that is the setting for one of my favourite of Shakespeare's plays, 'The Taming Of The Shrew', I am bringing with me the man that tamed my heart, for an Italian romantic getaway.

“Feast with the best, and welcome to my house."

We are welcomed with warm generosity; with our first floor Superior Room we are rewarded with a superb private rooftop garden with a fantastic view over the green hills beyond. Merely waking up to such a vista every morning already makes this trip worthwhile! The room itself is elegant, embracing and unfussy, with soft pastel shades that give a light, peaceful feel, which is in keeping with the whole hotel. The hotel boasts fine facilities and excellent service, though the interiors are far from ostentatious and allow the natural thermal waters and lush, verdant surroundings to take centre stage.

We are satisfied to note that we have been furnished with all the standard amenities such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, Satellite television and even bathrobes: an all-too-often overlooked detail that always wins me over. We are thrilled with our little nest but are too hungry to sit still for long and so we venture forth for a very English early supper. Luckily the Radisson understands such habits and we are given an exquisite meal of delicately cooked fresh fish that we watch being prepared in the open 'show kitchen' as we toast our stay with a fine bottle of Italian white.

“Marry, peace it bodes, and love, and quiet life...”

It is still very early when we finish our delicious dinner and too dark outside to explore the grounds. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see the tennis courts and fabulous golf course as well as the gleaming swimming pools I spied on arriving. Yet this place has more to offer than its wonderful outdoors, it is to the spa that we both head, eager to sample its sauna, jacuzzi and thermal waters. What we discover is even more marvellous than we had imagined as we immerse ourselves in heavenly scented steam of the Aromatic Grotto and cool off in the mesmerising 'emotional showers', which are a new source of enjoyment for us both. This is truly is a haven of peaceful, wholesome living. While my man lies in the Zen-like resting area, I secretly book us both in for a last-minute massage to round the day off in total bliss.

“And, being a winner, God give you good night!”

The massage is the last ingredient to bring us into a state of absolute relaxation and although we have only been here an evening, we already feel the healing and revitalising benefits of this sumptuous hotel. I have definitely come up trumps with the Radisson Blu Resort Terme di Galzignano. If my beloved was in love with me before, he positively adores me now for bringing him here! As we adjourn to our cosy room he sweeps me into his arms and in the immortal words of the dashing Petruchio, he grins and gives me my favourite quote, “Come on and kiss me Kate!”