Vicenza is a small city in the Veneto region, located roughly halfway between Venice and Verona. It is renowned for the buildings designed by architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century, which earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Among the top tourist attractions in Vicenza are the Olympic Theatre (the oldest enclosed theater in Europe that is still in use) and Piazza dei Signori, an elegant square dominated by the magnificent Palladian Basilica.

The surrounding areas are dotted with historic villas, the most famous being Villa Valmarana ai Nani and Villa Almerico Capra (better known as La Rotonda). The style of La Rotonda has been frequently emulated by British and American architects over the centuries.