Palladio Tours
5 Days / 4 Nights
Day 1
Arrival. Accomodation in Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: THE BRENTA RIVER
Boarding at Venice. Navigation towards the Brenta Riviera, crossing
the Moranzani lock; raising of the water level; explanations during the
navigation of the various Villas seen along the canal , among them "La
Malcontenta" stop at Oriago and visit to the Villa Gradenigo, Square-layout
building, containing frescos portraying mythological and sacred history scenes,
partly attributed to Benedetto Caliari named Tiozzo, Paolo Veronese ís
brother; navigation among villages, locks and swing bridges. Stop at Mira ,
visit to the Villa Barchessa Valmarana, still sumptuously furnished
thah houses notable paintings of the Venetian-Baroque school; crossing the locks
of Mira and Dolo, raising of the water level stop at Dolo and visit
to the Old Mills of the XVI century. Lunch in Dolo; boarding and navigation
as far as Strà, stop for the visit of Villa Pisani Nazionale,
with a living area at the front, a huge park and a rare orange grove. Going
up to the main floor you find several rooms full of frescoes depicting various
scenes. The most spectacular sight is undoubtedly the enormous dancing hall
and the ceiling is a fresco, which depicts the Pisani family, painted in 1761
by G.B. Tiepolo.
In the late afternoon, departure with private Coach near Vicenza. Accomodation
in hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: VICENZA - VILLA GODI - VILLA ROTONDA
Palladio's Vicenza, a city the great architect transformed with his
imposing civic buildings, basilica and aristocratic residences. The highlight
of the walking tour is a visit to Palladio's Teatro Olimpico. Considered
to be one of the purest creations of Renaissance architecture, its beauty and
ambience renders most visitors speechless in admiration of Palladio's interpretation
of the classic Roman and Greek Theaters. From Vicenza we head north down scenic
back-roads into the beautiful countryside to rediscover some of Palladio's lesser
known villas - Villa Porto, Villa Valmarana and the Villa Trissino, to Villa
Godi, the first villa designed by Palladio. Before taking a private tour
of the Villa Godi with its 16th Century frescoes, we enjoy lunch at a restaurant
built into the old barn of the Villa, dating from 1533.
After lunch departure to the Villa Rotonda, the most famous villa in
Veneto. The Villa Rotonda is the epitome of Palladio's architecture and his
most celebrated work. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: MAROSTICA - BASSANO - ASOLO - VILLA MASIER - WINETASTING PROSECCO
We visit medieval Marostica, famous for its living game of chess. At
the point where the cool, clear waters of the river Brenta emerge from the Dolomites
we find Bassano del Grappa. Famous for both its alpine bridge (designed
by Palladio), and for being the home of Grappa "the firewater of
the mountains". Bassano is a shoppers paradise. In addition to Grappa,
Bassano is also famous for Ceramics, Porcini mushrooms, white asparagus and
numerous other local delicacies. Lunch in typical restaurant. After lunch, fall
under the spell of Asolo, a little enclave of days gone by - a village under
enchantment. Where every house is a poem, every few steps a journey back in
time. Throughout the day we pass a bewildering succession of villas of different
periods and styles. But, the most famous villas of Veneto are the villas designed
by Palladio, whose designs have influenced architects all over the world.
We visit one of the best examples of his work, the Villa Barbaro at Maser,
a villa set in perfect harmony with the surrounding countryside that is both
civilized and civilizing. Then, following the Prosecco wine road, we
head further up into the hills of Veneto that are home to several world famous
wines. High in the hills, surrounded by terraced slopes thickly planted with
vines we visit a local vineyard with incredible views of the vineyards at their
most spectacular point. After celebrating our day in the hills of Veneto with
a cool refreshing glass of Prosecco, we return to Venice. Accomodation in hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Departure
Breakfast to the Hotel. Trft
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