Why did Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach travel to Venice in 1707?

Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach traveled to Venice in 1707 specifically to study Palladian architecture at its source.1

This visit was part of a broader evolution in his style, following earlier travels in 1704 to Prussia, Holland, and England, where he had begun examining architecture in relation to the works of Andrea Palladio. By studying these designs directly in Venice, Fischer was able to develop a new type of "Palladian" palace facade. These designs combined classical proportions with rich, sculptural decoration, characterized by a central projection accentuated by a giant order and a triangular pediment. This new approach significantly influenced his later major works, including the Bohemian Chancellery and Trautson Palace in Vienna.1