European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 01, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Villa Rotonda is Palladio s Best known and Best loved Villa left. A statue of Palladio stands in Vicenza right. A a frito continued from Page 3 Jefferson s House Monticell. The City of Vicenza lists 56 Villas of primary importance in its District and Treviso and Padua can come up with about an equal . A. Perhaps the most atmospheric tour through the Villa country is a trip by car Bike or boat along the Brenta canal a Seldom trafficked Stream flowing from Padua Padova to Venice. In palladian times the Brenta s Banks the Beverly Hills of the venetian monies Guys were littered with huge nonagricultural Villas. Nowadays Many of those Villas along the Brenta Riviera Are Mere ghosts of their former glories. For centuries these Villas have been the most important landmarks in the area. People have not Beeri the Only ones to bring them to life their Parks Are filled with l weathered statues wrought by generations of sculptors. Even the railings of the Parks Are works of great craftsmen. I Palladio Only designed one Villa along the Brenta the Villa Moscari known As la malcontent. That Villa plus the magnificent Villa Pisarri now a National museum Are toured by sightseers taking All Day cruises aboard the Small excursion boat ii Bur chiello. From Early Spring until late autumn it floats Between Venice and Padua " steaming up and Back on alternate Days. Passengers return to their starting Point by bus the boat leaves san Marco Square at 9 . On tuesdays thursdays and saturdays and from Padua at the same time on wednesdays fridays and sundays. The trip is not cheap. This year it costs 102,000 lire about $65although that includes admission and guided Tours of the Villas. An optional lunch adds another 39,000 lire $25 to the Cost. Most travel agents in Venice and Padova can arrange bookings. The main Agency handling reservations is Samic 42 Trieste Padua. Telephone 049/660944. Finally because there Are so Many palladian Villas it is advisable to visit local tourist Board offices in the Veneto area to get specific information on Villas that May be  " _., -._". Travellers tips when to go there is no bad time but september and october show the area at its Best. Openings the main Villas charge abouf$3 for Entrance. Be aware that opening times Are often subject to whim and May Bear Little relation to published information. Openings Are sometimes negotiable. A warm smile  italian can open doors. Respect the ajl important Runch break from noon to 2 .  Cruger Lake Gar