Venice, the Italian lagoon, attracts millions of visitors every year. In fact, its huge international popularity is putting a strain on residents as well as the city's infrastructure, and has seen the local government enforcing a series of measures in recent months aiming to curb the impact of overtourism.

The temporary entry fee imposed on daily trippers this summer or restrictions on group tours don't seem to have deterred tourists from heading to Venice. Yet, those who want to avoid the crowds are spoilt for choice if they are looking for alternative destinations in the area. Padua, or Padova as known by Italians, is a historic city lying just 25 miles west of Venice.