This 16-day study tour used Italy Lakes & Villas as a way of exploring the history and culture of Northern Italy from the Roman times to the 20th century. The cultural concept to pursue a sea change or tree change as an escape from the city is what the Italians thought about for more than 2000 years. Villas scattered around lakesides as a place to escape from the pressures of city life was a cultural Italian concept. The tour took in the finest villas of Northern Italy beginning on Lake Como following the foothills of the Apennines. Here we saw medieval towns and Renaissance country houses of Andrea Palladio in the classical style decorated by the most sought-after artists of the day. Baroque fantasy, neo-classical and Romanticism with symmetrical gardens to free-flowing natural English style gardens were the vogue. The tour concluded at Stresa on Lake Maggiore and took in the spectacular spring colour of alpine Italy. Thanks Academy Travel. www.academytravel.com.au