VICENZA

Our Palladian education continued with a walking tour of Vicenza to see his Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo della Ragione, Villa Rotunda, and a few others along the way. The highlight of the day was when we heard about some contemporary Villas designed by Alvaro Siza that were under construction in the Vicenza countryside. We were able to work out a deal with the cab drivers that they would drive us out there, wait for us for 20 minutes while we took pictures and take us back to the city for only 20 euros. Even before the cab stopped we were all out of the cab running down the drive way to get to the Villas. Thankfully the construction crews were not on the job site and we were able to go inside the incomplete Villas and explore. After snapping pictures like crazy, we ran back to the cab and headed back to the city. I can confidently say that it was the strangest, and coolest architectural tour I have ever been on.

Later that night we went to a bar to watch a soccer game on TV and drink a few beers. Soccer is the national sport and if you wear the wrong jersey at a bar in a rival town, you could find yourself in some trouble. Thankfully we have steered clear of any confrontation so far, but since we are Inter Milan fans that might not last long…