Wednesday 23rd Sep
Pouring with rain when we booked out of our Tresche Conca hotel this morning and trip down the mountain along the 10 tornante (hairpin turns in reality) a bit hairy, foggy, heavy rain and Italian drivers allowing for the conditions - not!
Off to Vicenza on a cultural Palladio tour. Frank went along in good humour. First stop La Rotonda on the outskirts of Vicenza. I saw this Palladio villa 10 years ago but I had an impatient husband waiting in the car that time, (yes, the same one) so it was a quick once over. Vicenza, while not the birthplace of Palladio, was where he did most of his work - or at least in the surrounding countryside. Really La Rotonda (1570 or so) is such a gracious building, the symmetry of the 4 facades and the interior decor, while a bit OTT with full size statues in the cornices and frescos on the frescos, I think he gets away with it!
We then did a bit of a walking tour of Palladio sites in the town centre. The centre of Vicenza is yet another chic Italian town, upmarket shops, beautiful buildings, cafes and everyone looking very fashionable. First we saw the Teatro Olimpico (1580 or so) which has trompe-l'oeil stage sets which make it look as though there are long streets going off into the distance, when there is only about 30 feet of depth.
Next stop was the Palladio Museum, also very interesting with the history and the politics of the time.
Then to to Palazzo del Capitaniato yet another Palladio building in the Piazza dei Signori. Cultural overload by then, also completely stuffed, so back to the car and home to hotel in Arsiero.
Dinner- at the usual 7.30pm time as is the Italian way - don't think you can grab an early bite if you want - but mustn't complain as great meal at this new hotel..... previous one average at best. Primo plate spinach and ricotta gnocchi, secondi roast pork - me and fried cheese with polenta - Frank. Also great limoni tart with cherry stuff, yumm.
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| This is the cafe halfway down the 10 hairpin turns down the mountain where boyracers congregate to watch their mates write themselves off on motorbikes - 1 per month |
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| La Rotondo - Vicenza |
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| From La Rotonda to the front gate |
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| Another Gloria Soame - Villa Valmarana- just down the road. Owned by the same family |
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| Teatro Olimpico Vicenza |
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| And again |
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| And again |
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| Palazzo del Capitaniato Vicenza |
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| Beautiful typical streetscene in Vicenza, |
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