GLORIA: Arrival at our home for the next 8 days, Villa Saraceno, in the small village of Finale di Argugliaro, was an awesome sight.A splendid early example of Andrea Palladio's architecture, it was built about 1545 in a grand manner.Palladio (1508-1580) was inspired by Roman prototypes to design buildings both for pleasure and for a working farm.They were always symmetrical, utilizing arches and columns.

Saraceno stands on about 50 acres of land, surrounded by high brick walls and composed of several buildings, some added after the original home was built.

Large rooms, the main ones and the entry porch decorated with frescoes around the top of the walls, have been restored by The Landmark Trust so that there are modern bathroom and kitchen facilities, as well as comfortable bedrooms that can sleep up to 16 persons.

A young couple, Elisabetta and Fabio, who have 2 young children, are the caretakers and our "caterers" for 5-course dinner meals most nights.

Gail, Richard, Kirsten, Oz, Keith, Barry, Catrina, Jed, Stephen, Nicholas and Sarah, all joined us to begin a very special week of adventures, architectural and historical education, jolly games, gourmet meals, perfect weather, many laughs, and the opportunity to broaden our family bonds between Websters and Etheridges.

The entire region we traversed (northern Italy) encompasses the Veneto Plain of tremendous contrast, including the Euganean Hills, the foothills of the Dolomites, great stone castles, bell towers, and towns enclosed by brick walls, which can date from medieval times and the 12th century.

Three minor events were all that provided some disruptions, although Catrina never got to enjoy a pizza in Italy, of all places, and I did not get to purchase a pair of Ferragamo shoes (which did not fit properly).