PRIVATE PALLADIO VILLA ROTONDA & VICENZA FROM VENICE Tour In English, other Languages on Request! Our day begins with a fascinating walking tour of the city of Vicenza, a city that Palladio transformed with his imposing civic buildings, basilica and aristocratic residences. The city of Vicenza has one of the highest ratios of historical buildings to population in Italy and is a UNESCO city. The city has remained unchanged, minor details aside, since the 16th century and acts as a show case to the numerous works by Palladio found within the Medieval centre of Vicenza. As we stroll around the streets and back-alleys of Vicenza, we'll discuss the life and times of Palladio and the influences that helped to create his unique form of architecture. Along with Palladio's Basilica, the highlight of our time in Vicenza will be a visit to the Teatro Olimpico, one of the purest creations of Renaissance architecture in Italy and arguably his most beautiful work. In the design of the Teatro Olimpico Palladio realized a dream of many  Renaissance artists in which he was able to build an exact replica of a Roman structure. The fact that the structure, made of wood, was also designed to be a portable theatre only adds to the ingenuity of Palladio's design From Vicenza we'll travel down scenic back-roads through beautiful countryside, to rediscover some of Palladio's lesser known villas. Hidden away down country roads, these villas will help give you a full impression of Palladio's work as a villa architect. Within the province of Vicenza there are numerous works by the great architect, and as we make our way across the flat plains towards the foothills of the Dolomites we see a great variety of designs reflecting the evolution of Palladio as an architect. 
We'll visit Palladio's first Villa, the Villa Godi. Richly decorated with 16th Century frescoes, it enjoys a fairytale setting amongst the rolling hills and enchanting villages of the Breganze wine region. The first accredited Villa to Andrea Palladio provided quite a challenge to the inexperienced Andrea. In fact, he was no more than a general contractor when he took on this work. Enjoying a dominate position in the landscape, he knew if he made any mistakes his architectural career could end as quickly as it began. Your Palladian expert local guide will lead you on a tour of the Villa and its gardens which were designed by the Gardeners of Prince Edward during the first world war when the Villa was the high command of British forces in north-eastern Italy. 
The highlight of the day is a visit to the Villa Rotonda (interior only open on Wednesdays). Palladio's most celebrated work. Its temple like facades, its symmetry along with its natural setting, give the villa an air of splendid perfection and seem to echo the principals of Palladian architecture. Built for a local priest, it was actually conceived as a "Party House" a place to entertain friends and acquaintances rather than a home. An interesting idea, when considering the background of the Patron. Although, Paolo Almerico was no saint having spent time in a Venetian prison on a murder charge before being acquitted. Sitting on a small hillock surrounded by a natural ampitheatre of hills, the Villa Rotonda assumes a regal air!  Our day finishes with a drive along the Riviera Brenta to see some of the many famous villas and summer residences of the Venetian nobility, including the Villa Foscari at Malcontenta. Which many people regard as the most beautiful house in the world. Here you'll learn about the famous legend behind the name "Malcontenta", along with an explanation on the variation of style in this particular Villa in comparison to other Palladian Villas you would have seen earlier in the day. Sitting beside the waters of the "Riviera Brenta" this Villa must have acted like a bill-board advertising the genius of Andrea Palladio to Venetian nobility as they made their way along the Riviera Brenta to their country homes. PRIVATE TOURS CAN BE ORGANIZED IN ENGLISH & OTHER LANGUAGES! | 
