Masters of Renaissance art and architecture designed classical buildings across Veneto for the sophisticated gentry of the 16th century; the most famous of these architects was Andrea Palladio. As the wealth of the region spread from Venice inland across the countryside of Veneto, educated patrons commissioned villas to be built on ancient principles of classical Roman architecture. Andrea Palladio became the master of this style; he wrote a landmark architectural work and his elegant villas are a testament to his brilliance. Our tour is based in Padua, where contemporaries of Palladio designed new buildings for the mediaeval university, including an anatomical theatre. Padua also features the work of the 14th century artistic genius, Giotto, whose innovative painting style influenced many Renaissance painters.