Saint Mark and Venice: More Than Meets the Eye
The striking Saint Mark’s Basilica is not only one of the absolute masterpieces of Byzantine sacred architecture, but it is also the final resting place of the Evangelist’s body. Few, however, are aware of the adventurous history that brought the famous relic there.
Enchanting Padua and Its Scrovegni Chapel
The beautiful vault of the Scrovegni Chapel. Discover its origins and other marvels of the city of Padua
Vicenza, a Hidden Beauty of Veneto
villas of the Veneto”. Mid-way between Padua and Verona, and easily accessible, as a tourist attraction it is often overpowered by the better-known Venice, Verona and Padua. However, we at Palladio Tours consider it a jewel well worth exploring.
Antonio Canova
If you happen to be visiting Asolo or Bassano del Grappa, two of the most charming small towns of Veneto, you may want to venture just a few miles north where sitting at the foothills of the Alps you will find Possagno, home of one of Italy’s greatest sculptors.
Palladio’s villas: “La Rotonda”
Few architects have been as influential as Andrea Palladio (1508 -1580) one of the undisputed geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, whose creations are all concentrated in a relatively small territory of the Veneto region.
The Dungeons of the Doge
The traveler who in Venice admires the magnificent façade of the Doge’s Palace and its eclectic mishmash of Western and Eastern styles is usually unaware that inside this very building, just a few steps away from its stunning gold-gilded halls there is the most dreaded facility of the Serenissima: its prisons. Today they are open to the public and are landmark not to be missed.
The Carnevale of Venice
The modern Carnevale of Venice, a celebration of costume, exhibition and sweet delicacies like nowhere else, dates from 1979. It is the 10-day spectacle of party and disguise prior to the Christian season of Lent. Resurrected from a long dormancy to promote tourism, it now entails throngs of people disguising their faces behind decorative masks while others dress in spectacular costumes.
Marostica from Cherries to Chess
A view of the main square of Marostica, showing the human sized chess board and the Upper Castle. Its crenelated walls drape the sides of the hill to the north, enveloping the city on both sides.
The Ghetto of Venice
While exiting the main train station, travelers might easily miss a small bridge leading to one of the most fascinating areas of the city. As soon as they cross the bridge, enter the narrow and dark corridor and emerge on the other side they will find themselves in the Jewish Ghetto of Venice, the Cannaregio area in which the Jews were forced to live for centuries.
Baccalà – Norwegian Cod, Venetian Style
Baccalà – Norwegian Cod, Venetian Style
The citizens of Veneto are proud of their baccalà, a type of fish they prepare in many different ways.
A visit from “La Befana”
A visit from La Befana is a tradition among Italian children, similar to a visit from Santa Claus. Her tradition is an interesting one, arising from the story of the Magi travelling their route to find the Christ child
Italians and their kindness to strangers
Years of travel - many good memories. One traveler’s experience with the kindness shown him by strangers
Carnevale in Castelfranco Veneto
A colorful annual celebration during the week prior to Lent
