Andrea Palladio s Villa Rotonda THE GENIUS BEHIND JEFFERSON S VISION: EXPLORING PALLADIAN INSPIRATION IN ITALY S VENETO REGION October 5 13, 2018
TRIP ITINERARY (Subject to Change) Friday, October 5 Arrive Vicenza Relax for the morning and afternoon in the beautiful center city full of Andrea Palladio s buildings, including the iconic Palazzo della Ragione ( Basilica ) on the Piazza dei Signori. Early evening lecture and tour of the 1570 Palazzo Barbaran, the home of the Palladio Museum and the most complete urban palazzo by Andrea Palladio. Dinner together at a local restaurant. Sunday, October 7 Vicenza We take a bus north of Vicenza to see Palladio s Villa Caldogno (1540s) with its amazing frescoes by Zelotti and Fasolo. We hope to gain rare access to one of Palladio s deserted villas, Cazzotti or Chiericati. We will visit the famous Villa Rotonda for a private tour and possibly dine at the next-door Villa Valmarana ai Nani. Villa Chiericati Vicenza Piazza dei Signori Saturday, October 6 Vicenza Walking tour in the historic and compact center of Vicenza to see Palladio s works: the Basilica, Palazzo Chiericati (the city art museum), Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo Thiene, Palazzo Iseppo Porto, Palazzo Valmarana, Loggia del Capitaniato, Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare, Santa Corona Church (with Palladio s Valmarana Chapel) and another visit to the Palladio Museum to see the exhibits. Monday, October 8 Vicenza We take the bus north again to see one of Palladio s best-preserved villas, Villa Emo, still occupied by the original family, with important frescoes by Zelotti. Similarly Villa Barbaro (also known as Maser) is one of the well-known villas by Palladio that is also occupied by the original family and contains the famous frescoes by Veronese. We end the day by traveling to the small town of Possagno, in sight of the Alps, where we visit the famous sculptor Antonio Canova s birthplace house and museum and the unique church he designed that is a combination of Roman, Greek and Christian forms. Villa Caldogno frescoes Villa Emo
Tuesday, October 9 Vicenza We take the bus to the southeast to see Palladio s Villa Cornaro with its two double height porticos (said to have inspired Jefferson s initial design of Monticello) and its impressive double central salas. Palladio s Villa Foscari ( Malcontenta ) on the important Brenta Canal is our next stop followed by a visit to a later 18th-century villa on the Brenta, Pisani Stra, a showy 114-room furnished palace with extensive gardens. Thursday, October 11 Verona Verona is one of the most charming cities in Italy. Its ancient Roman architecture inspired the architects Falconetto and Sanmicheli who in turn influenced Andrea Palladio. The center city has the wonderful Piazza delle Erbe market with the nearby 1301 Merchant s House and art museum, the main Piazza dei Signori with its still-functioning 1st-century Roman arena and the important Romanesque church St. Zeno. The 14th-century Castelvecchio castle houses an outstanding art museum featuring the modernist architect Carlo Scarpa s renovated spaces creatively merging medieval forms with a masterful use of concrete and steel. Nearby is the 16th-century Giusti Gardens. You have the option of exploring the city on your own (perhaps taking in Juliet s tomb?) or taking a guided walking tour. Villa Foscari Wednesday, October 10 Vicenza to Verona Our bus takes us southwest of Vicenza to see one of the best villas by Palladio s pupil Scamozzi, the Villa Rocca on its commanding hilltop. Nearby is Palladio s Villa Pisani Bagnolo (1542), followed by a visit to Villa Pojana, both of which have original frescoes. Our final stop is in the picturesque walled town of Montagnana with its Gothic cathedral where we can glimpse Palladio s Villa (palazzo) Pisani just outside the medieval walls. Then, our bus takes us to the ancient city of Verona for our next few days. Verona Roman Theater Friday, October 12 Verona We venture to the outskirts of Verona to see gardens or some of the Renaissance villas and a vineyard where we might have a wine-tasting lunch or dinner. This evening you can also wander around this magical city. Villa Pisani Verona Piazza delle Erbe
Saturday, October 13 Depart Verona We again sample some of the gardens and villas around Verona on our way back to the Venice area where some members of the group might catch flights from the airport or move into Venice for the extended stay. OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION Beginning Saturday, October 13 Arrive Venice Those who wish to extend the trip may do so by one, two or three days (or longer!). We will be staying in the heart of Venice where we can visit some of Palladio s most famous religious commissions: San Giorgio Maggiore on San Giorgio island, the church of Il Redentore and San Francesco della Vigna. The famous Doge s Palace on St. Mark s Square also contains several rooms designed by Palladio. Palladio s Convent of the Carita is only partially intact but is worth a visit since it is now the city s principal art museum, the Gallerie dell Accademia. Of course there are too many wonderful things to see in Venice and perhaps those who stay over will want to do their own sightseeing to wind down the trip. Travis McDonald has been in Venice several times in the past few years and can recommend some great places to suit any interest! Tuesday, October 16 Depart Venice Some might want to depart from Marco Polo airport this day or later, catching a boat from the Grand Canal that takes you right across the lagoon to the airport. Staircase in Palladio s Convent of the Carita NOTES This is a preliminary itinerary that is subject to minor changes regarding which sites are open on certain days and which sites are reasonably grouped for bus travel in each region. The number of sites visited in a day might change but will not increase given the goal to leave some free time wherever we stay. Travis McDonald will prepare some history homework for each site and summaries of the architectural significance of Palladio s buildings that will be distributed before the trip as well as written guides during the trip. TRIP DETAILS ESTIMATED TRIP COST $5,000 (without airfare); plus $500 supplemental for single travelers Includes: Five-night stay in Vicenza at Hotel Palladio Three-night stay in Verona at Due Torri Hotel Eight breakfasts, five dinners and six lunches with the group Admission fees and transportation, including transfer to and from the airport ESTIMATED AIRFARE COSTS Round-trip from Lynchburg to Venice $1,321 per person From Charlottesville $1,284 per person From Atlanta $1,504 per person
RESERVATION FORM The Genius Behind Jefferson s Vision: Exploring Palladian Inspiration in Italy s Veneto Region October 5 13, 2018 Trip capacity of 25 persons FIRST NAME LAST NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP E-MAIL PHONE ROOMING WITH PAYMENT DETAILS: A non-refundable deposit in the amount of $1,000.00 per person is required by March 31, 2018, to guarantee space on the trip. Payment for remaining trip costs in the amount of $4,000 per person (plus $500 supplemental for single travelers) is due by June 15, 2018. Trip is 50% refundable before July 15, 2018; non-refundable after August 1, 2018. PAYMENT METHOD: Enclosed is a deposit of to reserve places for people. Check enclosed (payable to Thomas Jefferson s Poplar Forest) VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER AMERICAN EXPRESS NAME (AS IT APPEARS ON CARD) CARD NUMBER EXP. DATE SECURITY CODE SIGNATURE (REQUIRED) TODAY S DATE I am not ready to make a deposit but wish to be kept informed of trip details. I am interested in the possible Venice extension from October 13 16 (details forthcoming). Please mail your reservation form and deposit to: Thomas Jefferson s Poplar Forest Attn: Alyson Ramsey P.O. Box 419 Forest, VA 24551 Questions? Please contact Alyson Ramsey, Director of Development, at 434.534.8128 or alyson@poplarforest.org. POPLARFOREST.ORG Optional Travel Insurance Participants may wish to explore purchasing trip insurance through companies such as: Travel Insured International travelinsured.com Travel Guard travelguard.com