With vigilance and prudence two friends just took a bus. Came down the Brenta river without causing a fuss. Dispensing with the servants, the gondola and the food. They took us to a villa in quite a hungry mood. Explaining all the riches, the marvels there to see, they conjured up the party that would have stayed for tea. Yet they had not a morsel, nor hot cocoa galore. These two won‘t stop at nothing to open every door.

Most of the palaces in Brenta were created by the great renaissance architect Andreas Palladio. He revolutionized architecture by emulating the classical focus on symmetry, rational logic and perfect geometries of the ancient Greek and Roman building vocabulary. Palladio designed villas, palaces, basilicas and monuments especially in Veneto for the new rich merchant class. He was also an early architecture theorist. His creations inspired the design of the great stately homes beginning in the 16th century England and beyond. Today the work of Palladio continues to feature and embellish the great metropolises throughout the world. He was born on 30 November 1508 in Padua and given the name Andrea di Pietro della Gondola, and became known as Palladio, which means the wise one.

I took the cruise up the river and it was much nicer than taking a bus.

HI. Love this tour. 20 + years ago a friend and I did take a boat on the canal. The canal is narrow, there were about 10 inches on either side! And it was slow, you could walk at the same pace, but, ahhhhhhh it had air conditioning (it was July, 30 + C and very humid). We were able to tour 3 villas, and they were magnificent. I am curios about the walls in this grand room. In the one villa we toured, everything was painted. Every door panel, every elaborate scroll, fresco, "plaster work" was masterly painted to look like real wood panels and plaster. Gorgeous.

Ollie and Stephanie, there is nothing better than visiting a historic venue with the proper background commentary. You both did an amazing job of making me feel as though I were actually there as a welcomed guest during that epic time period 😎. I'm looking forward to the next installment of "Travels with My Friend."

Wow what a beautiful place...😊🇨🇦💞👍💯

You two are hilarious with your banter. "I did offer you sort of luxury and debauchery but it does start with a bus." 😂"We can only afford a water taxi to the bus stop." 😂 The Villa is magnificent. The chandelier in the entry is stunning. This palace is so extravagantly beautiful in its entirety. The only thing that would have made it better is to have all the opulent furniture that must have filled the rooms. The bed gives some idea how grand they must have been. I have loved this vlog.

another one hit out of the park !!!!!!!!!

Oh the drama of it all! I was aware that Double Entry Bookkeeping was an Italian invention, but I did not realise it was Venetian. You learn something new on this channel in every episode! Their hot chocolate would probably have been unsweetened, very different to the sort we drink today, more like coffee, I suppose and quite bitter. But delicious if you enjoy coffee, as I do. Thank you for the video!

Lovely, Stephanie n Oliver. So nice to see both and such a wonderful house. You described the times beautifully. May I make a small suggestion? You kept talking about food and were clearly hungry. It would have been the icing on the cake if you had ended up with a delicious Venetian meal or at least a beautiful hot chocolate n something lush to eat with it.

These are real gems. Thanks to Ollie and Stephanie

This is amazing

What a fantastic adventure you just took me along on! Loved it! Teresa

Stephane &Ollie Thankyou For Bringing Us ToVenue This Amazing History Villa 💕

Well done!

You brought this gorgeous villa to life with your well researched, witty story telling. But the most heart warming part of it all was seing what great friends you are !

It’s like going on holiday with friends. Such a good time had by all!

You two were in your element here! Thanks for the dreams.

Ciao Stephanie and Ollie, the chandelier in the entrance and throughout the villa are absolutely beautiful, the colors are so stunning. The wall and ceiling Frescos are amazing, the virtues story telling is a beautiful lesson. This place is magical. there are no words except, "assolutamente bella" thank you Stephanie and Ollie, for giving me a bright spot in a terrible time.

Fascinating, beautiful house. I love the Murano chandeliers and the beds.