Palladian Villas of Veneto 751

Today, following breakfast, we visit the gardens of Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio. The gardens were created for Antonio Barbarigo during 1665-69 and with their carefree atmosphere and garden ‘rooms’ full of surprises have been described as one of the most entertaining gardens in Italy. One of the most striking features is a series of ascending pools decorated with statues and fountains, and in one case a graceful Watergate which has Diana, goddess of hunting sitting astride the pediment with her dogs close a hand. There is also a large and effective maze, a charming rabbit island and various giochi d’acqui (water tricks) which provide further unexpected amusement. 
We later transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.

After breakfast we transfer to the lively university town of Padua, where we visit the Orto Botanico di Padova (Padua Botanic Garden), which was established in 1545, making it the oldest university botanical garden in the world. During the 19th century a series of greenhouses were built, and one of them now contains the garden’s most famous possessions, a dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) from 1781. The garden is surrounded by a circular wall (and a moat to keep out plant-stealing intruders!) and divided into quadrants, within which various beds are arranged. Despite 19th century alterations to the site, this remains one of the finest examples of a 16th century botanical garden in Italy, with a fine collection of plants from around the world. The modern greenhouses are also fascinating and have been developed to a very high standard by the University of Padua. They show us some of the major eco-systems of the world. 
We also visit the Scrovegni Chapel, home to one of the most amazing works of art you are ever likely to see. Giotto’s amazing series of frescoes depicting the life, death and resurrection of Christ is a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, and is considered to be the most complete executed by Giotto in his mature age.

Today, following breakfast, we visit the gardens of Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio. The gardens were created for Antonio Barbarigo during 1665-69 and with their carefree atmosphere and garden ‘rooms’ full of surprises have been described as one of the most entertaining gardens in Italy. One of the most striking features is a series of ascending pools decorated with statues and fountains, and in one case a graceful Watergate which has Diana, goddess of hunting sitting astride the pediment with her dogs close a hand. There is also a large and effective maze, a charming rabbit island and various giochi d’acqui (water tricks) which provide further unexpected amusement.

On our way to our next stop we will make a brief photo stop outside the Villa Vescovi in the Euganean Hills. Dating from 1535, this was the summer retreat of the Bishops of Padua.

After an opportunity for lunch (not included) in Arquà Petarca we visit the private garden of Le Paradis des Papillons, near Padua. Created by a passionate young garden designer, this unusual, naturalistic garden supports not just the butterflies that give the garden its name (the owners are French), but a wide range of other animals including ducks, chickens, peacocks and rabbits. The garden itself takes its inspiration from English gardens and is filled with a wonderful range of plants.

We return to the hotel.

After breakfast today we depart for a visit to the gardens of the Villa Barbaro, in Maser. The Villa was built by Andrea Palladio for Daniele and Marcantonio Barbaro during 1560-68 as a farmhouse at the centre of an agricultural estate and has the unique attraction of being the only Palladian villa in Veneto to retain some of its original garden. The garden was laid out in front of the villa and Palladio’s great achievement was to unite the villa, garden and surrounding landscape and seemingly create a single architectural structure. As the gardens at the front were essentially a public space, Palladio also designed a secret garden behind the villa, a small enclosed courtyard dominated by a magnificent nymphaeum, decorated with statues of classical gods.

After some free time in the beautiful little town of Asolo, where the poet Robert Browning and the explorer Dame Freya Stark once lived, we return to the hotel to freshen up before we depart for dinner at the Villa Godi Malinverni. We are met on arrival by a member of this aristocratic family who will show the villa before we sit down to eat.

Later we return to the hotel.

After breakfast we transfer to the lively university town of Padua, where we visit the Orto Botanico di Padova (Padua Botanic Garden), which was established in 1545, making it the oldest university botanical garden in the world. During the 19th century a series of greenhouses were built, and one of them now contains the garden’s most famous possessions, a dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) from 1781. The garden is surrounded by a circular wall (and a moat to keep out plant-stealing intruders!) and divided into quadrants, within which various beds are arranged. Despite 19th century alterations to the site, this remains one of the finest examples of a 16th century botanical garden in Italy, with a fine collection of plants from around the world. The modern greenhouses are also fascinating and have been developed to a very high standard by the University of Padua. They show us some of the major eco-systems of the world.

We also visit the Scrovegni Chapel, home to one of the most amazing works of art you are ever likely to see. Giotto’s amazing series of frescoes depicting the life, death and resurrection of Christ is a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, and is considered to be the most complete executed by Giotto in his mature age.

After some free time we transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport in time for our flight back to London, where on arrival the group will disperse.