PALLADIAN VILLAS IN VENETO, ITALY
ANDREA PALLADIO
In the 16th century ANDREA PALLADIO was a young architect. He started his career in the Italian city of Vicenza, to the north-west of Venice. His skill and competence attracted the attention of Trissino, a wealthy landowner, poet and diplomat. Trissino employed Palladio to build a country house for him. He also introduced the young architect to the work of Roman architect Vitruvius. Palladio blended 16th century thinking with the principles of classical Roman architecture. He developed a unique type of country house design. The design often featured a temple-style central facade flanked by symmetrical wings. These country houses were known as villas. The idea was that wealthy families could escape the noise and commerce of Venice in their Palladian Villa. They would spend weeks or even months in peace and tranquillity in the heart of the Venetian countryside.
PALLADIO worked for many aristocratic families in the Veneto region. His projects included Villa Emo at Fanzolo, Villa Barbaro at Maser and Villa Foscari (Malcontenta) at Fusina. By the time of his death there were several dozen Palladian villas in the Veneto. Palladio’s four volume masterpiece ‘Quattro Libri di Architettura’ was published in 1570. It explained his architectural style and the many houses he had worked on. The ‘Quattro Libri’ was translated into English in 1715. Once Palladio’s designs were available in English translation, they became the blueprint for many country houses in Britain. Later, it spread to the United States. Burlington House and Chiswick House in London are both Palladian in style. Whilst in America Jefferson’s home Montebello was constructed in the Palladian style. Many regard Palladio as the most influential architect in the Western world.
THE VENETO REGION
The VENETO REGION of north-eastern Italy is an area of lush green fields with snow-capped mountains in the distance to the north. To the south, it features the blue-green waters of the Venetian lagoon. This Grand Tourist experience introduces you to the best Palladian architecture of the region, and the prettiest villages and towns. This is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Palladio. You can visit a selection of historic villas and appreciate the beauty of this green and verdant land.
The Palladian Villas Tour includes:
- Private transfers with car & driver from Marco Polo Airport to your hotel.
- 6 days – 5 nights  in a country house hotel on the Brenta Canal.
- Your country house hotel is in the heart of Veneto countryside.
- Generous Buffet-style breakfast daily.
- Welcome Reception with Prosecco and Canapes!
- Visit to Villa Foscari (Malcontenta) one of Palladio’s finest villas.
- Half-day tour along the Brenta Canal. There you can see and visit some of the spectacular Palladian villas that line the waterway. Villa Pisani at Stra is huge & spectacular. Napoleon immediately requisitioned it for his son-in-law. Villa Pisani is also famed for it’s difficult maze ‘labyrinth’ in the garden. There’s even a spotter’s tower in the centre to help you.
- Experience Villa Emo, Fanzolo and Villa Barbaro at Maser. Both these Palladian villas contain breath-taking frescoes. Veronese worked for years at Villa Barbaro.
- Time to explore the small towns of Dolo and Mira. This area inspired Canaletto and painted ‘Il Molino di Dolo’ here. The view remains unchanged 300 years later!
- A Private boat tour of the Lagoon of Venice. The views of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace from the water are spectacular. Discover the watery expanses of the Venetian lagoon which inspired Hemingway, Byron, Browning and Ruskin.
- Maps, guides and restaurant recommendations provided.
Prices start from:
- Euros € 3000– / GBP £ 2800– / US Dollars $ 3500–
- Prices are per person / based on 2 people travelling.
- Travel on a date to suit you.
- Best value can be found in April, May, September and October.
Contact janet@grand-tourist.com for more details and to chat through your exact requirements. Grand Tourist offers truly tailor-made travel.
- Please visit our blog – The Educated Traveller for numerous articles on Venice and Veneto area.
- To read more about Art in Venice during the last Biennale: Venice’s Biennale, Lorenzo Quinn and Damien Hirst.
For a perfect day in Venice – Venice – A Perfect Day. - To really discover the lagoon: The Lagoon of Venice.
- To book contact:Â janet@grand-tourist.com.
- Special thanks to Tiziana Banchetti for her photo of Villa Barbaro.Â
A LAST WORD OR TWO…
Venice and the Veneto region are enchanting. Palaces, bridges and canals link the numerous islands of Venice to each other. This is a city of boats, lapping water and polished paving stones. A city to walk, wander and dream. A place to enjoy the lagoon, islands and country houses of the Venetian nobility. Join me, Janet Simmonds, tour guide and travel writer, in the city that has inspired and influenced me for more than thirty years. For far more detail and numerous articles visit my blog: https://www.educated-traveller.com
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