Palmanova was a very interesting stop that we made on our way home from Slovenia to Vicenza. I had heard about it from a couple of friends in recent months, and was intrigued enough to suggest it to Chelsea, Garret, and Paula. They were so excited as we crossed the border into Italy, I could have suggested just about anywhere and they would have happily gobbled it up!  Palmanova is a famous star-shaped city that began in 1593. Built to commemorate the Venetian victory over the Ottoman empire, it was also designed to serve as a premier fortress against future invasions. The designers consisted of a team of Venetian engineers and architects, whose goal was to construct a Citta Ideale (the "Ideal City"). It was a large Renaissance concept at the time. The plan for the fortress included a 9-pointed star shape which would be perfectly symmetrical. It would also be surrounded by a moat, ramparts, bastions, and geometric streets that all radiated out from a central hexagonal point (...