Europe 2010

Day 10		Tuesday 29th June

We drove towards Padua and beyond to visit two villas, one by Palladio and one later. We got very lost around the outskirts of Padua but eventually made it onto the correct road. We visited Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta) first as it was open only for the morning.  Signing and parking were very poor but we managed to find both and made it to the villa. It is a smallish villa and only the piano nobile is open to view. It was designed by Andrea Palladio. Many of the frescoes were pale and washed out but interesting, none the less. The villa has now come into the possession of descendents of the family for whom it was originally built.

Villa Pisani is a much bigger villa and estate and was designed and built during the early 18th century for the Pisani family. There are many more rooms, some furnished in periods pieces and materials. Many of the wall painting are still good. The garden and park are very striking with an exception Grand Canal between the villa and the very elaborate stables. There are tropical houses, a ‘Coffee House’ on an artificial knoll surrounded by a moat, a maze with central circular building and statue. There are many other interesting items and views in the garden.

Miles travelled today – 109				Total Trip Miles – 1486

Day 11		Wednesday 30th June

Local shopping, washing car, domestic activities am. About 3.30pm we went for a bicycle ride to Costozza where we bought a very nice ice cream at the Ristorante Aeolia, also a bar & gelateria. We saw several ancient villas in various states of disrepair, including the Villa Bianca.

Miles travelled today - 14				Total Trip Miles – 1500 

Day 12		Thursday 1st July

We went to Marco Polo Airport, near Venice, to collect Alexander and Lia who had flown out to join us for 10 days. The airplane landed at about 12.00 noon and they were soon out and in the car. After lunch at the motorway services, the rest of the afternoon was spent by the pool. Alex and Lia went on a bicycle ride round the farm in the evening and then it was fairly early to bed.

Miles travelled today -  110			Total Trip Miles - 1610