Explore Italy’s World Heritage Sites sites with The Travel Division

Your adventure begins in Milan, a cosmopolitan city in northern Italy that’s packed with history, culture, high fashion and fine art. At the top of your sightseeing ticklist is one of the world’s most famous UNESCO sites, the captivating Santa Maria delle Grazie.

This Renaissance church is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary masterpiece, The Last Supper. The incredible mural depicts Christ and his disciples as they react to his declaration that one of them will betray him, with each apostle’s unique reaction magnificently captured on the convent’s dining room wall. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed into the refectory at a time, giving the feel of an exclusive viewing as you study the artwork in peace.

STAY: Four Seasons Hotel Milano

Explore Milan in style from this urban oasis, which offers modern suites, Italian fine dining and spa treatments in a frescoed former convent overlooking the Duomo.

This leg of the trip includes a hat-trick of World Heritage Sites in northeastern Italy. The first is Venice, where you’ll be based – an otherworldly destination built on 118 islands in a turquoise lagoon, connected by bridges and palace-lined canals. Romantic and whimsical, the floating city is renowned for its extraordinary architecture and art.

During your stay, you’ll embark on a private excursion to the Dolomites. Spanning 20 peaks, the spectacular scenery of the UNESCO-listed mountain range encompasses sheer cliff faces, deep crevasses and soaring structures. Soak up the serenity of your surroundings before riding the cable car up for breathtaking views of the dramatic chasms below.

On the way back to Venice, you’ll stop at a third UNESCO-protected area – Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, where Prosecco grapes have been grown for centuries. Sample a glass of the sparkling wine at one of the family-owned vineyards dotting the rolling hills, before taking an exhilarating drive along the famous Prosecco Road.

STAY: Hotel Danieli

Nestled near St Mark’s Square with breathtaking views of the Grand Canal, this lavish palace-hotel boasts a rooftop restaurant and rooms with balconies overlooking the lagoon.

Your next stop is Florence, another charming Italian city with its own UNESCO World Heritage label. Nicknamed the ‘Cradle of Renaissance’ in a nod to its illustrious artistic heritage, the compact Tuscan capital is full of galleries and museums showcasing world-famous pieces by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli.

Soak up the culture at the acclaimed Uffizi Gallery, marvel at the cathedral’s iconic terracotta dome as it dominates the skyline, and explore winding streets scattered with palaces, museums and churches. Finish off with a gelato as you stroll along the banks of the Arno River, crossing the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge.

STAY: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

This opulent palace in Florence’s cultural heart is a serene retreat from the tourist crowds, welcoming guests with Michelin-starred dining and the city’s largest private garden.

Rome boasts an incredible 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including must-see landmarks such as the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. As well as exploring all the city’s most storied spots, you’ll travel back in time to discover two more UNESCO gems, Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este, in the nearby mountainside town of Tivoli.

Villa Adriana was Emperor Hadrian’s countryside retreat and offers a unique insight into ancient Roman life. One of the world’s best-preserved villa complexes, the 250-acre estate incorporates lakes, fountains, libraries, theatres, thermal baths, temples and even a sports stadium. Over at Villa d’Este, discover its lavish interiors and wander through manicured gardens replete with fountains, tree-lined avenues and landscaped grottoes.

STAY: The St. Regis Rome

Opened in 1894, this storied grand dame in Rome’s historic centre blends the old-world glamour of a historic palazzo with contemporary amenities.

Drawing over 2.5 million visitors every year, Pompeii is the only archaeological site to paint a full picture of an ancient Roman city. At this deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll have the chance to explore the extraordinary ruins, which were frozen in time by 20 feet of volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted over 2,000 years ago.

It’s a surreal experience to follow in the footsteps of past residents, visiting preserved homes, temples and marketplaces that are still decorated with intricate frescoes and mosaics. After exploring, hike up the imposing volcano to peek down into the ruins below.

STAY: Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel

Step back in time at this former convent, now a cliffside hideaway that marries classic touches with contemporary comforts and unparalleled vistas of the Italian coastline.

The next World Heritage Site on your journey is the glorious Amalfi Coast, a 25-mile stretch of Italy’s southern Sorrentine Peninsula with a diverse natural landscape and postcard-worthy views. Soak up the sensational scenery as you explore the pretty cliffside villages dotting the coastline, each with its own unique charm and character.

The Amalfi coast is famous for its large, unwaxed lemons, which scent the air with their heady fragrance as they hang from the trees of terraced citrus groves. Knobbly and pointed, this unique variety of the yellow fruit is a staple ingredient in the region’s famous limoncello liqueur, so make sure you treat yourself to a taste to mark your visit.

STAY: Stay another night at the Anantara for exquisite Italian cuisine, trying one of the sensory tasting menus showcasing freshly caught seafood from along the coast.

Moving on to the ‘heel’ of Italy’s boot, you’ll enter Puglia, an enchanting region of quaint hillside towns, ancient olive groves and Mediterranean coastline. Your UNESCO highlight here is the storybook village of Alberobello nestled in the Itria Valley, where the cobbled streets are lined with trulli – whitewashed structures with conical roofs.

Homes, restaurants, hotels and shops occupying over 1,000 trulli cascade down the hillside the town’s historic centre, Rione Monti, giving the whole place a magical fairytale feel. Spend a day taking in the otherworldly architecture and sampling local cuisine such as orecchiette pasta or a slice of focaccia in one of the many eateries.

STAY: Borgo Egnazia

This castle-like hotel is inspired by a traditional village, with secret gardens bursting with jasmine, rosemary and olive trees alongside Michelin-starred dining and luxury pool villas.

Hop across to Sicily for your final World Heritage Site, the majestic Mount Etna. Standing at almost 11,000 feet, Europe’s tallest active volcano has played an important role in the island’s history since rising from the sea around 600,000 years ago, providing rich soil for agriculture and drawing artists, poets, writers and tourists from around the world to admire its breathtaking beauty and ever-changing scenery.

Ascend 6,000 feet by cable car before hopping in a 4×4 up to the craters near the mountain’s summit, marvelling at the stark lunar landscape of volcanic rock, black sands and lava flows. It’s quite a contrast to the fertile foothills you’ll pass through on the way back down, stopping to sample regional wines at one of the lush vineyards.

STAY: San Domenico Palace

Perched high above the Ionian Sea in Toarmina, this Four Seasons managed former convent boasts breathtaking views of Mount Etna from its cliff-top infinity pool.

After savouring the best of Italy on our tailor-made itinerary, you might find yourself intrigued by the rest of the world’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Get in touch with our travel experts and let us design your next journey of discovery.