Palladio. A wonderful live tale through time&soul, from Ve/Pd/Vr
Description
A journey through an extraordinary private story together with the Director of the network company of the owners of the Palladio Villas, to discover a Unesco Heritage Site of eternal Beauty, a fundamental link in a chain that reaches from Athens, passing through Rome, here to London and then to Washington. Anyone belonging the western civilization carries this history, and this places with him, and here is able to re-discover this part of its identity. To find out, the Palladians - that are the owners of the Villas of the Palladian Unesco Heritage - have created with extreme care this journey through time which from Venice, the Dominant, takes you in one day to the inland of the Serenissima, to that jewel of architecture that is Vicenza . An itinerary assisted by us and by the spirit of Andrea Palladio, for the entire duration of the tour, starting from Venice, to delve into the heart of a dream from 500 years ago. Still alive today, even inside the heart of any woman or man in the West. Even if you don't know it yet.
Tour Options
Itinerary
THE DOOR OF TIME (NO ENTRY) Fascinating like a romantic ruin, it's our door that opens us to a journey through time that will take us back, to Athens, and then forward, to Washington, sailing among the waves of ideas capable of crossing history, thanks to the currents of virtues and the virtuous.
WELCOME - PRIVATE RECEPTION IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PALACES OF THE UNESCO HERITAGE, HEADQUARTERS OF THE BUSINESS NETWORK OF THE OWNERS OF THE UNESCO HERITAGE PALLADIO VILLAS. You will be introduced to the history of our Unesco Heritage, in the context of one of the architect's most beautiful buildings, Palazzo Valmarana Braga. You will contemplate the most extraordinary facade of a Palladian palace, the precious Renaissance fresco with its cosmology on the ceiling of the Count's study, the ideal reconstruction of what the Empress of Austria saw on her visit to these places and the history of the diffusion of the Palladianism in what was the fabric emporium.
OUR "LIVING ROOM", ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SQUARES IN ITALY A relaxing stop in the heart of Vicenza, in the magnificent Piazza dei Signori, to enjoy a spectacular view of the city's patrician salon and learn about its history.
THE ARCHITECT OF THE CITY (ENTRY INCLUDED) We finally enter the Basilica Palladiana, a symbolic building of Vicenza, going up to admire the view of the cameo of Piazza dei Signori from the terraces; Going down, between the arcades, the precious Vicenza tradition of goldsmith art is represented by the Jewelery Museum, one of a kind.
VENICE IS SILENT, BUT PRESENT A harmonious closeness, that of the Loggia in front of the Basilica, the Palladian contrast between a Vicenza and a Venice that share the same scene.
STRADA MAIOR In honor of the great Andrea Palladio from whom it takes its name, it is the most important street in the city of Vicenza, as well as the road connecting the main Palladian works, a UNESCO heritage site; you will be able to admire the historic shops and above all the architecture that acts as a backdrop to the normal life of the people of Vicenza, who are so used to living in this real jewel. Since the time of the ancients, a Genius Loci still exists today, a spirit of the place that you can get to know, in "little Rome"
IN THE COMPANY OF THE NOBLES OF VICENZA (ENTRY INCLUDED) Palazzo Chiericati, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its imposing façade was the river landing place from Venice; inside the civic museum reveals its collection of Venetian works of art: Tintoretto, Veronese, Sansovino and many others. We will focus, on the main floor, on the large portraits of the men who in more than one way "created" the architect.
THE DREAM (ENTRY INCLUDED) Unique and exciting, the Olympic Theater awaits you with its evocative light and sound show. You will discover the first covered theater in history, and at the same time the best representation of the ancient Greek ideal pursued by Palladio and the circle of his clients. Brilliant in its architectural solutions, surprising in its atmosphere, the Theater is an unmissable show for every visitor to Vicenza . At the end of the visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vicenza, it will be possible to choose whether to return to Venice more quickly, or take it more slowly, taking the next train an hour later.
BETWEEN THE VIRTUE OF THE ANCIENTS AND THE GENIUS OF NEW MEN Contrà Porti is the most aesthetically beautiful street in Vicenza: one building after another, spanning different layers of history, but also spanning different cultures, which meet here. Vicenza is the northern end of a world, the Renaissance one, but also the southern end of another, that of the Reformation coming from the continent. Here ancient and heresy come together, giving life to something never seen before.
THE MUSEUM (ENTRY INCLUDED) At the Palladio Museum you can discover the rich legacy of Palladio's Villas, closely observing the wooden models and fully understanding the numerous facets of his extraordinary genius. And we will be able to open it for you even outside the standard opening hours to the public.
PRIVATE APERITIF IN THE PALLADIANS' LOGGIA It's time for a toast with friends, in a magical place among the quotes of the ancients and the gigantic columns that evoke their virtues. We are them, we are the nobles of a Vicenza that breathed greatness, not yet aware of how far its borders would cross the doors of the world.
THE TEMPLE OF MAN (ENTRY EXCLUDED) If you want, you can reach it by pedaling with the comfortable Palladian E-Bike. Otherwise we will reach the most famous and singular of Palladio's works, Villa Capra known as La Rotonda, being able to enter only until 10 December and starting from 11 March, excluding Mondays. Here the most influential architect in history found the opportunity to freely design his temple, which has become the icon of all villas: a timeless work that has found a place in the pantheon of the wonders of the world. From Tuesday to Thursday entry to Villa La Rotonda is exclusive (the villa is normally closed to the public on these days)
TOWARDS HISTORY (ENTRY EXCLUDED) We will stop in front of the first Villa by Palladio in which a pronaos appears on the main facade, in place of the loggia. The villa is transformed into a princely country palace, majestically dominating the placid Brenta canal. It is the beginning of that language that will transcend the boundaries of space and time, and which will be known as Palladianism on different continents. The story continues, inspiring and shaping other men, elsewhere. Possible entry (extra cost excluded) on the opening days of the villa, proportionally reducing the program in Vicenza, upon your indication.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We can also possibly arrange a water taxi transfer from your hotel in Venice (extra cost, contact Palladian Routes min. 3 days before the tour date)
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Reviews(7)
Palladian Day Tour from Vicenza. The day with Manuel was a very rich experience packed with information. We were picked up from our apartment with our bags. Manuel tailored the tour to suit our interests of art and architecture and what we had already seen of Palladio’s architecture the day before, taking into consideration the time constraints we had. Being taken around in the van enabled us to see villas outside of Vicenza. Manuel kindly dropped us off at Venice via a wonderful villa close to that city. He shared his passion for Palladio and some of his vast knowledge of Italian culture. He explained the world view of the Renaissance, context of ideas and politics of the clients and how innovative Palladio’s architecture was. Highly recommended!
Thank you very much Ro, it's really been a great pleasure, also because of your particular sensitivity of great artists. We were able to get the dimension of the vibrations given by the single architectures, works of art, places, situations. Even in our second day tour after this one. Grateful for these beautifully intense days and hoping to meet you again in the future, may my kindest regards fly from Vicenza to Sidney
This was a beautifully organised private tour by the Director of Palladian Routes, Manuel Gazzola. We spent a day exploring Palladio’s buildings in the countryside and in Vicenza, talking all things architecture and enjoying - and much benefiting from - Manuel’s erudition and general good company. We feel the tours offered by Palladian Routes would benefit anyone, from beginner to expert and are particularly valuable in the access they afford to otherwise inaccessible sites.
Thank you so much, it's been a great pleasure and we particularly appreciate what you wrote. To be able to transmit the intensity of the experience to anyone, from beginning to expert, is something we particularly work on and consider important. Everything can be readen at different levels, everything has messages for anyone. . Our work is to seize the right wavelenght, the frequency of the situation the involves the place and the visitor, and to be able to accompany along that line, revealing that understandable and "feelable" single truth and sensation for that specific moment.
An indescribable experience! Unexpected and quite frankly glorious. Put our entire Venetian vacation into historical context. Our guide was incredibly informed and couldn't have been more accommodating. Highly recommend.
Thanks so much Amanda, we love to read this kind of satisfaction by our clients: that's the real price to all our passionate work. We're writing it again: thank you from the bottom of our hearts
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Manuel is very knowledgeable and passionate about his subject, as well as being a considerate tour guide and host for the day. Unlike many guides who have a set ‘spiel’ and find it difficult to waiver, Manuel tapped into and expanded upon our own interests – architecture and Reformation history. We had plenty of time in each venue and still managed to cover everything. With Manuel we were able to visit inside Villa Rotonda out of season, which was a highlight. As an architect, I would like to add my gratitude to my wife’s comments above. The experience that Manuel gave us was exceptional. From his surprise unveiling of Villa Rotunda as we approached it, to the privilege of access to the Villa itself ‘in winter’ and to his subsequent tour of so many Palladian Buildings (some of which I was not aware of) Manuel presented his Palladian Routes Tour with the understanding of an architect, the knowledge of an academic and the passion of an Italian. His detailed knowledge of not only Palladio and his buildings, but also of relevant historical circumstances and the context of the Reformation and Renaissance gave us an exceptional experience. I cannot recommend Manuel and his tour more highly. Thank you. Martin McGrane Architect Sydney Australia
What a... WOW review... Melanie and Martin, you already know it's been a real pleasure to fulfill what is actually our mission, which in some way coincides with the words you wrote. Thanks again so much, you're filling us with a great satisfaction
We did our tour with the director of the Palladian routes at Vicenza, Manuel G. He personally led us via E-bike to Villa La Rotunda for a personalized tour of the villa. I was astonished we were the only ones there, four of us! Great historical information and discussion - 40 minutes. As an architect it was such a treat and honor to visit this majestic site. The site and design contributed to the Palladian style used in Italy during the late Renaissance and hundreds of years later in England and the US in designs such as the Capitol and the White House. Then we were able to visit other sites including the Teatro Olimpico and the Palladian Museum. After lunch we met with Manuel again to discuss the history of Vicenza's role in the architectural reimagining of their city and an attempt to distance themselves culturally from Venice. Next we sat at a cafe next to one of the buildings and listened to Manuel talk about the buildings, it was like a "live podcast". I would recommend visitors to stay more than one day and give yourself a chance to view all the sites at your leisure. One other quick note, when we went mid October the weather was great in Vicenza and there were not too many people. I would give more than 5 stars if I could. Mark D.
Thanks so much Mark, no one ever called me "a live podcast", i love it! Kind regards :)
It has been an incredible experience in all aspects: the journey in Ebike very comfortable, the natural spaces traveled: beautiful; the spectacular Palladian Villages, and last but not least, the audio story that accompanies the visit very instructive and pleasurable to listen. Absolutely recommended! The best way to get to know and soak in a day of Andrea Palladio’s immortal work. Bravo and many successes!
Muchas gracias hombre ¡Gracias por compartir nuestra experiencia!
