Palladian Villas & Art of the Veneto

PALLADIAN VILLAS & THE ART OF THE VENETO

SIX NIGHT HOLIDAYs | 21 MAY & 15 OCTOBER 2023

Masters of Renaissance art and architecture designed classical buildings across the Veneto for the sophisticated gentry of the sixteenth century; the most famous of these architects was Andrea Palladio. As the wealth of the region spread from Venice inland across the countryside of the Veneto, educated patrons commissioned villas to be built on ancient principles of classical Roman architecture. Andrea Palladio became the master of this style; he wrote a landmark architectural work and his elegant villas are a testament to his brilliance. Our tour is based in Padua, where contemporaries of Palladio designed new buildings for the mediaeval university, including an anatomical theatre. Padua also features the work of the 14th century artistic genius, Giotto, whose innovative painting style influenced many Renaissance painters.

the itinerary

1

On arrival we will transfer to our hotel in Padua. The familyrun Hotel Majestic Toscanelli in the historic heart of Padua is a central base for this tour.

2

We explore the art and architecture of Padua, including the magnificent Scrovegni Chapel, with its moving and colourful frescoes by Giotto illustrating scenes from the life of Christ. We also see the Palazzo della Ragione, with a vast mediaeval hall, the Basilica of St Anthony and Donatello’s equestrian statue, Gattamelata.

3

The University of Padua, established in 1222, is one of the oldest in the world and today we discover the rich academic heritage of the city. We visit the 16th century anatomical theatre in Palazzo del Bo and the first university botanical garden.

4

Vicenza is associated with the work of 16th century architect, Andrea Palladio and we visit his best known villa, called ‘La Rotonda’, on the outskirts of the city. Built as a hilltop summer house, the villa is symmetrical in proportion with four porticoes and a central dome. We will walk through Vicenza’s elegant streets and piazzas, before visiting one of Palladio’s final works, the Teatro Olimpico, built for classical theatrical productions.

5

Today we travel through the countryside of the Veneto to visit the mediaeval town of Castelfranco, birthplace of Giogione, who painted the altarpiece in the Duomo. We continue to Palladio’s Villa Barbaro at Maser, with frescoes by Paolo Veronese. The villa is now a winery and we will have a winetasting and light lunch. This afternoon we visit Treviso for a walking tour of sites in this elegant city, including the Loggia dei Cavallieri.

DAY

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DAY

DAY

DAY

Villa La Rotonda

DAY 6

We drive to Bassano del Grappa to see Palladio’s Ponte Vecchio, a wooden bridge rebuilt many times to his original design. Palladio designed Villa Angarano for his friend Count Giacomo Angarano, and although unfinished, this impressive building featured in Palladio’s Four Books of Architecture. We will have a wine-tasting before continuing to Villa Emo, one of Palladdio’s later designs.

We will travel back to the airport for the flight to London.

DAY 7

the hotel

Set in the heart of Centro Storico, the old part of Padua, the Hotel Majestic Toscanelli is unique in its location, adjacent to the remarkable renaissance squares of Piazza Delle Erbe, Dei Signori and Della Frutta where the market is held. The 32 bedrooms are comfortably furnished in either Baroque Ventian or a more quaint 19th century English style. Breakfast is a lavish array of pastries, cakes, and cured meats and cheese - a perfect start to a day's sightseeing.

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

21 May 15 October £2,360 £240

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.55, arrive Venice 16.10 Depart Venice 12.50, arrive London Heathrow 14.10 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners and two wine tastings • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of a Kirker Tour Lecturer