One of the most important Italian art cities, the ancient Vicetia has Roman origins and was named the first time in a document of 135 b.C. The big artist who is more bound with this city is Andrea Palladio.
Vicenza is the Palladian city not only because it hosted the genius of Andrea di Pietro, born in Padua, but also because gave him the opportunity to become the biggest architect of that time.
The city developed according to the ideals of Renaissance: a selected place of meeting for people.
Piazza dei Signori is the city centre, harmonious and monumental: characterized by the magnificent prospective of the Basilica Palladiana, a Medieval building which the artist renovated creating the porticos and loggia, decorated with the characteristic motif which marked all his production.

Other important sites of the city planned by the great architect are: Loggia del Capitano, Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, Palazzo Chiericati, where stands the Civic Museum, Palazzo Valmarana and  the Loggetta Palladiana in the Giardini Salvi, an elegant  building of 1592, which introduce its visitors with the inscription: “Hilariati ac genio dicata”, devoted to smiles and happiness.
One of his masterpieces is the wooden Teatro Olimpico, created by Palladio for the Accademia Olimpica and realized by Vincenzo Scamozzi.

Also its Roman origins have deeply influenced the city, especially the urban aspect, today englobed in minor Venetian architecture. The ancient street, the bridges, the beautiful square and the big artistic heritage preserved in the museum underline its priceless cultural and artistic value.

The built-up area is surrounded  by  a hill, not far from the centre of the city, where on the top  stands the Basilica di Monte Berico, erected in 1600 near the primitive gothic church.

In the neighbourhood of Vicenza, the countryside not only presents a beautiful landscape but also a large number of beautiful villas, luxury residences of Venetian aristocracy from ‘400 to ‘700.

Finally, deserve a stop the beautiful town of Marostica, enclosed by walls of 14th century and sheltered by two castles, and Bassano del Grappa, well-known for its beauty but especially for its very famous grappa.