Asia Travel

Destinations: East Asia | CDC Travelers' Health Home About CDC Press Room Funding A-Z Index Centers, Institute & Offices Training & Employment Contact Us CDC en Español Search: Travelers' Health Travelers' Health Home > Destinations >East Asia Health Information for Travelers to Countries in East Asia On This Page Vaccines for Your Protection Diseases Found in East Asia Other Health Risks What You Need To Bring With You Staying Healthy During Your Trip After You Return Home For More Information Travel Notices in Effect Update: Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus in Asia (Updated December 27, 2005) Recent Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Asia and Europe (Updated December 6, 2005) Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad (Updated November 18, 2005) Human Illness Associated With Contact With Pigs, China (Updated August 18, 2005) U.S. Department of State See all Traveler's Health travel notices Vaccines for Your Protection: East Asia Routine Vaccinations Check with your healthcare provider: you and your family may need routine as well as recommended vaccinations. Before travel, be sure you and your children are up to date on all routine immunizations according to schedules approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP). See the schedule for adults and the schedule for infants and children . Some schedules can be accelerated for travel. See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications as well as other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Asia. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need. Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling. Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants. Japanese encephalitis , if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis. Malaria: if you are traveling to a malaria-risk area in this region, see your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Asia . Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities. Typhoid , particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles . Required Vaccinations None. Diseases found in East Asia (risk can vary by country and region within a country; quality of in-country surveillance also varies) The preventive measures you need to take while traveling in East Asia depend on the areas you visit and the length of time you stay. You should observe the precautions listed in this document in most areas of this region. However, in highly developed areas of Japan , Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan , you should observe health precautions similar to those that would apply while traveling in the United States. Malaria An Anopheles freeborni mosquito takes a blood meal. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites. Travelers to some areas in China, North Korea, and South Korea may be at risk for malaria. Travelers to malaria-risk areas in China, North Korea, and South Korea should take an antimalarial drug. For additional information on malaria risk and prevention, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Asia . There is no risk of malaria in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong S.A.R. (China), Macau S.A.R. (China), and Mongolia. Yellow Fever There is no risk for yellow fever in East Asia. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are coming from countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center . Food and Waterborne Diseases Avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, because it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated. Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout East Asia and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting ( E. coli , Salmonella , cholera , and parasites), fever ( typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage ( hepatitis). Additional information: see the Safe Food and Water page for a list of links. Other Disease Risks Dengue , filariasis , Japanese encephalitis , leishmaniasis , and plague are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites ( see below ) will help to prevent these diseases. Avian influenza is also present in China. Outbreaks of severe acute pulmonary syndrome ( SARS ) occurred in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in 2003. Avian influenza is present in the region. If you visit the Himalayan Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude , which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea, and altitude sickness. In addition, use sunblock rated at least SPF 15, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes. Other Health Risks Injuries Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers. Protect yourself from motor vehicle injuries: avoid drinking and driving; wear your safety belt and place children in age-appropriate restraints in the back seat; follow the local customs and laws regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle speed; obey the rules of the road; and use helmets on bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes. Avoid boarding an overloaded bus or mini-bus. Where possible, hire a local driver. What You Need To Bring With You Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria , Dengue , filariasis , leishmaniasis , and onchocerciasis ). Insect repellent containing DEET . Bed nets treated with permethrin. For use and purchasing information, see Insecticide Treated Bednets on the CDC malaria site. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes. Flying-insect spray to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes. Iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Water Filters and Bottled Water for more detailed information. Sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat for protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays. See Skin Cancer Questions and Answers for more information . Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s) or letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you. Always carry medications in their original containers, in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to bring along over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide) and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhea. See suggested over-the-counter medications and first aid items for a travel kit . Staying Healthy During Your Trip Travelers should take the following precautions To stay healthy, do... When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub them on your child. Avoid children's eyes and mouth and use it sparingly around their ears. Wash your hands often with soap and water or, if hands are not visibly soiled, use a waterless, alcohol-based hand rub to remove potentially infectious materials from your skin and help prevent disease transmission. In developing countries, drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, learn how to make water safer to drink . Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your health care provider for a prescription.) To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches. Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide). For more information about insect repellents and correct use, see What You Need to Know about Mosquito Repellent on the CDC West Nile Virus site . If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones. If you are visiting friends and relatives in your home country, see additional special information about malaria prevention in Recent Immigrants to the U.S. from Malarious Countries Returning 'Home' to Visit Friends and Relatives on the CDC Malaria site. Do not Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked to reduce risk of infection (i.e., hepatitis A and typhoid fever). Do not drink beverages with ice. Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions .) Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). Consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas. For more information, please see Animal-Associated Hazards . Do not share needles for tattoos, body piercing or injections to prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. After You Return Home If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (mefloquine or doxycycline) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history. For More Information For more information about these and other diseases, please check the Diseases page and CDC Health Topics A-Z Diseases carried by insects Dengue : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=dengue.htm Japanese encephalitis : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=jenceph.htm : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=lyme.htm Malaria information for Travelers to East Asia : http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/eastasia.htm Malaria Frequently asked questions : http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm Malaria Prescription Drugs : http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malariadrugs.htm : http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/index.htm Plague : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=plague.htm : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=yellowfever.htm Diseases carried in food or water : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=madcow.htm Cholera : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=cholera.htm Escherichia coli diarrhea : http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm Hepatitis A : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hav.htm Schistosomiasis : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=schisto.htm Typhoid fever : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=typhoid.htm Diseases from person-to-person contact Hepatitis B : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hbv.htm HIV/AIDS prevention : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hivaids.htm HIV-infected travelers (in The Immunocompromised Traveler) : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=special&obj=hivtrav.htm&cssNav=browseoyb Important: This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to this region. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions. Date: December 27, 2005 Content Source: National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Destinations Vaccinations Diseases Yellow Book Safe Food and Water Illness and Injury Abroad Traveling with Children Cruise Ship and Air Travel Special Needs Travel Traveling with Pets Travel Medicine Clinics Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics References and Resources Travelers' Health Automated Information Line PHONE: 877-FYI-TRIP toll free (Information about ordering the Yellow Book and International Certificates of Vaccination and recorded messages on travel-related health topics) VIA EMAIL: Contact Us Form Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435

Europe Travel 101 -

Europe Travel in the Off Season  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Europe Travel in the Off Season Europe for Visitors Blog « Travel Gifts | Main | Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps » From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! December 18, 2005 Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Travel Insurance Life &

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Mexico Travel Guide @

Mexico Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org Car Hire Cruises Flights Hotels Tours Vacations About Travel Notes™ Destinations Budget Travel Feedback Search Travel Forums Travel Writers Africa Asia Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America Oceania Mexico Mexico Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org Acapulco , Cancun , Cozumel , Los Cabos , Map of Mexico , Mazatln , Mexican Festivals , Mexico Adventures , Mexico Tours , Mexico Travel , Oaxaca , San Miguel de Allende , Yucatan . Round The World Flights - Free TravelNotes e-mail Flag of Mexico Countries neighbouring Mexico are: Belize , Guatemala and America , or rather the states of California , Arizona , New Mexico and Texas . Buy a Map of Mexico Local Currency Convert your currency into Mexican pesos. National Anthem of Mexico. Food Travel Fiction Health Kids Bios Humor Mags Software Gifts Tech Business Other Your Ad Here Travel Notes Mailing List News Headlines World News Directory of newspapers and news sources from around the world. Hotel City Search : Mexico Travel Go2Mexico : Learn more about the Mexican culture before you go to Mexico. Mexico Desconocido : Discover more about Mexico with this excellent resource. Mexico Hotel Guide : Wherever you're going in Mexico, book online and save money on your hotel accommodation. Cancun Cancun is located south-west of Miami, west of Cuba and south-east of Mexico City. The International airport is close to the hotel zone -- along the beach -- and the downtown area, where you'll find the local markets and bus station; for exploring more of Mexico. The best restaurant in Cancun, for sea food and Yucatecan specialities, is Habichuela. This restaurant is somehow hidden behind Parque las Palapas but as it's been open a long time, all taxi drivers can drive you to the place. Sent in by : Discovery Cancun . Caribbean Princess : Located in Cancun, the Caribbean Princess has 84 rooms. Meal plan and all inclusive packages, honeymooners welcome. 10% discount to Travel Notes members . Cancun Attractions : There is so much to do in Cancun, that the hardest part is deciding what to do first. Playa Del Carmen : Playa might attract less tourists than Cancun or Cozumel, but it still lives off tourism (rather than fishing) and is getting more commercial. Travel Yucatan : The Yucatan Peninsula is divided into the states of Quintanna Roo, Yucatan and Campeche. From coral reefs and sandy beaches to ancient ruins and Mexican culture, there's something for everyone in Yucatan. Visit Cancun : Comprehensive travel information about Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Mayan Riviera and Costa May. Cozumel Escape to Cozumel : by Emma Beyn Just off the coast of Mexico's Riviera Maya lies the small island of Cozumel, a Caribbean gem of an island. Cozumel Bikes : Isla Bicycleta is the only bike rental business on the island of Cozumel offering high quality, nearly new bikes, including mountain bikes, comfort bikes, and road bikes. Acapulco Acapulco Destination Guide : If you love swimming, shopping and an exciting nightlife, then Acapulco could well be the ideal holiday destination for you. Acapulco Links : We moved the Acapulco links over to our Acapulco City Guide section. See you there! Los Cabos Cabo Good Times : Phil Koehn's multi-faceted guide to the good times in Los Cabos, Baja, Mexico. Some of the best restaurant values are found in the small town of San Jose del Cabo with world class chefs starting their own small restaurants: El Chilar, La Dolce Vita, Chiantis and Baan Thai. 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Mazatlan Attractions : Mazatln is an ideal, affordable vacation choice for the family as it offers something for everyone: fishing, sailing, surfing, kayaking, bird-watching, golf, tennis, horseback riding, great dining and nightlife, shopping, music and entertainment. Mazatlan Travel Guide : Mazatan has ten miles of sandy beaches, and is visited by more than a million outsiders a year. Travel to Mazatlan : Nadine and Henry have made Mazatlan their home and have a lot of information on their site for travellers wishing to visit this part of Mexico. Oaxaca Oaxaca : General information and travel tips for the state of Oaxaca. Mexican Festivals Festivals : It seems like there's always a feast or a festival in Mexico. Find out when and where the major holidays occur. San Miguel de Allende As it's located in the mountainous region of central Mexico, visitors to San Miguel de Allende are advised to bring a good pair of comfortable walking shoes and even some warm clothing in the warmer months of March to May, as the night time temperatures can be chilly. The rainy season runs from June to October but don't let that put you off. The air is cooler when the rains come and the desert starts to flower. This magnificent city is a famous art and crafts colony, a shoppers delight, with treasures from all over Mexico. There is also a golf course, tennis courts and mineral baths nearby. Colonial San Miguel : Nothing can replace actually walking down the narrow cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, but here's a little virtual tour to set the scene. Getting to San Miguel : San Miguel de Allende is about 4 hours by bus from Mexico City, although the nearest international airport is the Aeropuerto del Bajio (BJX) -- about 70 miles away and served by Aeromxico, Mexicana, Continental and American Airlines. Insiders Guide to San Miguel : Collection of essays and writings about life in San Miguel de Allende. Portal San Miguel : Dedicated to serving the needs and interests of tourists and residents of San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel Artists : Find artists, art schools, instructors and galleries or use the calendar to learn about upcoming shows and other community events in San Miguel. Where to Stay in San Miguel Casa de la Cuesta : Enjoy the warmth of traditional Mexican colonial architecture, comfortable and quiet bedroom suites each with access to outdoor living areas and patios, plus a uniquely personal environment created by Casa de la Cuesta's fine collection of Mexican folk art, crafts and antiques. Casa de las Limas : This elegant Spanish Colonial home, now converted into a bed and breakfast, was once part of the 17th century Palace owned by the Counts of the Canal family. Located in the historical centre, next door to San Miguel's Instituto Allende Art School. Casa de Liza : A 17th century colonial estate located in the historical centre of San Miguel de Allende; overlooking the ancient park-like grounds of El Chorro, the natural spring around which San Miguel was founded. Casa Diana : Casa Diana is located in a house designed by Pedro Friedeberg, the last of the Surrealist artists. Enjoy some of the best views of San Miguel de Allende's famous sunsets as well as an art gallery and a day spa. Casa Granada : This glorious Bed & Breakfast is a 300 year old Spanish colonial home that has been magnificently restored, using many wonderful Mexican antiques. Casa Quetzal : Considered a luxury boutique hotel, the Casa Quetzal's theme-based, gracefully furnished suites have their own living and dining room with kitchenette. Hotel Rincn del Cielo : The Hotel has 16 suites, with cable television in all rooms. Some of the accommodations include amenities such as Jacuzzi, fireplace and a sitting area. Yucatan Hacienda Santa Cruz : Just twenty minutes from Merida, Hacienda Santa Cruz provides spacious living quarters, a dining room with a 35-foot ceiling, a deep and peaceful swimming pool, a restored chapel, and extensive grounds to wander and watch the wildlife. Mexico Tours Absolute Adventures' Shark Diver : Discover the wild world of Great White Shark cage diving in the U.S. and Mexico. The ultimate White Shark dive adventure is closer than you think! $200 off standard rates for Travel Notes members . Harley Davidson Tours : Motorcycle tours along the Mayan Riviera, Mexico's popular tourist corridor, including the beach towns of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Mexico Adventures Cavern Diving in Mexico : Located in Playa del Carmen, Cavern Team specialises in guided dives in the Riviera Maya's cenotes -- underground rivers that form the largest interconnected cave and cavern system in the world. Latin America Travel Forum : From Anguilla to Venezuela, sailing in the Caribbean to trekking in the Andes, Latin America is a world of wonderful contrasts. Join us in the travel forums if you have a question about Latin America or would like to share your experiences about travelling or living in Latin America and The Caribbean. The Internet TravelNotes.org Mexico's Best Beach Resorts Flight Tickets : Save money on Round The World flight tickets. Travel News : Get the inside scoop with the latest travel features and tips. Past Articles . 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Italy Travel

Vicenza, Italy - Travel Photos by Galen R Frysinger,Sheboygan, Wisconsin Vicenza townsquare Vicenza (ancient Vicentia ), city in northern Italy, capital of Vicenza Province, in Veneto Region, situated at the junction of the Bacchiglione and Retrone rivers. Vicenza is a commercial and manufacturing center. Products include textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, and processed food. The town is noted for its splendid churches, palaces, and other buildings, many of which were designed by the architect Andrea Palladio. Parts of a 13th-century wall that encircled the town are still standing. so-called Basilica, or town hall, of Vicenza. (renovations started by Palladio in 1549) Vicenza was originally a Ligurian town. A free commune in the Middle Ages, it was ruled by Venice from 1404 to 1797 and by Austria from 1797 to 1866. The city was badly damaged in World War II (1939-1945). Population (1990 estimate) 109,333. Palladio, Andrea (1508-80), Italian architect, one of the most influential architects in European history. Palladio was born November 30, 1508, in Padua (Padova), and trained as a stonemason. Originally named Andrea di Pietro dalla Gondola, he received the name Palladio when he joined the academy of the Italian poet Giangiorgio Trissino, who oversaw Palladio's architectural studies. Trissino took him to Rome, where Palladio studied and measured Roman architectural ruins; he also absorbed the treatises of Vitruvius, possibly the most important of the Roman architects. One outcome of these studies was Palladio's Antiquities of Rome (1554), the principal guidebook to Roman ruins for the next two centuries. Palladio's first work of major importance was the renovation (begun 1549) of the facade and exterior supporting structure of the so-called Basilica, or town hall, of Vicenza. In and near Vicenza he designed many residences and public buildings. The best known of these are the Barbarano, Chieregati, Tiene, Porto, and Valmarana palaces and the Villa Capri, or Villa Rotonda. From about 1560 to 1580 he built several churches in Venice, notably San Francesco della Vigna, San Giorgio Maggiore, and Il Redentore. His last great work was the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, completed after his death (in Vicenza) in August 1580. Villa Rotonda Although the historical antecedents of Palladio's style are the classically Roman-influenced High Renaissance works of architects such as the Italian Donato Bramante, Palladio's own use of classical motifs came through his direct, extensive study of Roman architecture. He freely recombined elements of Roman buildings as suggested by his own building sites and by contemporary needs. At the same time he shared the Renaissance concern for harmonious proportion, and his facades have a noteworthy simplicityalmost austerityand repose. Palladio was the first architect to develop a systematic organization of the rooms in a house. He was also the first to apply to houses the pedimented porticos of Roman templesformal porches defined by a shallow triangular gable supported by a row of columns. Both these features are exemplified in the Villa Rotonda. Palladio's buildings were highly functional, often ingeniously so. In the facade of the basilica, for example, the arches are supported on slender columns; between the columns and the vertical piers that separate the arches are narrow rectangular spaces. (This pattern of an arch flanked by rectangular spaces was so widely imitated that it became known as the Palladian motif.) The arrangement allows the piers between the arches to be narrow, rather than wide and massive, and it allows more light to pass into the main building while giving the facade an open, harmonious appearance. Palladio was the author of an important scientific treatise on architecture, I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura (1570, 2nd ed. 1580; trans. The Four Books of Architecture, 1571), which was widely translated and influenced many later architects. Its precise rules and formulas were widely utilized, especially in England, and were basic to the Palladian style, adopted by Inigo Jones, Christopher Wren, and other English architects, which preceded and influenced the neoclassical architecture of the Georgian Style. Text by Microsoft Encarta building facade Fortress in Soave entrance courtyard carved stair post Return to Italy page Return to Europe page Return to People and Places