Learn about the life of Andrea Palladio, and visit both famous and lesser-known villas in and around Vicenza and Padua
Explore the frescoed Villa Godi, Palladio’s earliest country house, and enjoy a private visit to the Villa Porto Colleoni, the most important 15th century villa of the region
Cruise along the Brenta Canal into Venice to discover Palladio’s religious architecture
“I particularly enjoyed the Palladian villas and the beautiful and peaceful countryside around Vicenza”
- ACE customer on a previous Palladio & the Villas of the Veneto tour with Charles Hind
Even five centuries after his birth, Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) remains one of the most distinguished figures in the history of western architecture. Born in Padua, Palladio trained originally as a stonecutter and mason in Vicenza, a picturesque historical town packed with delightful palazzi and public buildings.
We will visit Palladian highlights in the countryside outside Vicenza, enjoying private visits to several. The sumptuously decorated La Rotonda contains a central dome inspired by the Pantheon of ancient Rome, and its quadruple porticos are amongst Palladio’s most imitated motifs. We will also visit Villa Barbaro, Villa Pisani and Villa Poiana.
A leisurely cruise along the Brenta Canal will take us to our second base, Venice, where our focus will shift to Palladio’s religious architecture: not just San Giorgio Maggiore, occupying its own island opposite the monumental Doge’s Palace, but also San Francesco della Vigna, Palladio’s first church façade. We will have the opportunity to take in Venice’s major sites – such as the Arsenale and the Rialto Bridge.
The Palazzo Querini-Stampalia, Church of Santa Maria Formosa and the Palazzo Grimani will be further highlights of our time in Venice. Although Palladio himself did not design the latter building, it was home to some of his patrons, and contains extraordinary 16th century interiors, despite being virtually unknown.
Our first five nights will be spent in the heart of Vicenza at the four-star Hotel Campo Marzio. We will then transfer to Venice for four nights at the four-star Hotel Ca’ dei Conti, close to St Mark’s Square.
This tour will be led by architectural historian Charles Hind, MA, FSA. Charles holds the positions of Chief Curator and H J Heinz Curator of Drawings at the Royal Institute of British Architects. He is a Trustee of the Georgian Group and Deputy Chairman of the Lutyens Trust.
10
£4595
PALL-24
We have availability in various room types.
Please call us to discuss on
01223 841055.
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, nine breakfasts, two lunches with water & coffee, seven dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, single room supplement (double room for single use in Venice) £625, double room for single use (throughout) supplement £895.
