Arches, Villa Pisani

Travelling in Northern Italy can get complicated. Google seems unable to tell the difference between main roads and the tiny canal side lanes that weave their way across the plane. The edges of the canals are exactly that, so turning the car around takes at least three Hail Marys and a leap of faith.

My first trip to Villa Pisani was just such a trip. Tiny lanes ending in a hairpin turn. It was only on my return that I found a real road hidden behind a sleepy bar with at least two local cats snoozing in the sun.

The villa is home to magical gardens and rich deep shadows that swallow the afternoon sun. This was the home of Evelyn , a woman ahead of her time who created sensation in Venice.