Archive for 'Unesco World Heritage Sites'

The stunning city of Matera in Basilicata in Southern Italy is a must-see destination on your Italian travels! The city you see today grew from modest beginnings in a small canyon created over many thousands of years by a small River.

Tourists wishing to visit Matera have a fine selection of vacation villas to rent in Apulia, a neighbouring region of Basilicata where they can easily travel to this popular attraction.

Matera is famous for being one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and is home to its well preserved historical centre called ‘Sassi’.

This ancient area is a series of habitable caves that were carved out of the soft rock by some of Italy’s first human settlers many thousands of years ago.

The city of Vicenza lies in northeast Italy in the region of Veneto. This cosmopolitan city offers a collection of cultural, historical and artistic treasures for visitors to explore and has been awarded UNESCO status for two of its tourist sites!

Those wishing to explore Vicenza have a wide choice of stunning vacation rentals in Veneto to choose from, all within a day trip’s distance of this spectacular city!

Those with a love for all things beautiful will love the architectural treasures awaiting them here. The legacy of the famous architect, Andrea Palladio was left behind in his beloved Vicenza in the form of twenty-three beautifully designed buildings.

These 16th century visionary designed stunning buildings are the Teatro Olimpico , the Basilica Palladiana and the breathtaking Villa Almerico Capra among many other churches. So be sure to find a list of them all and visit some of his masterpieces!

Discover the charming city of Padua which is wonderfully easy to explore on foot. It’s a relatively flat city with cobbled narrow streets in the old centre. Padua city operates a superb tram service through the city centre which stops off frequently close to many places of interest for tourists to easily visit.

Those wishing to pass through this charming city for a day have a wide choice of holiday rentals in Veneto to choose from, all within an easy commute of Padua.

Start off your day of touring with a trip around the historical sites of Padua city centre. Hop onto the tram and stop off close to the remarkable cathedral of Saint Anthony, the city’s patron saint.

It’s probably the most famous attraction in Padua which draws in millions of visitors each year who come to see the tomb of the saint and look upon his relics. The famous Master sculptor, Donatello designed the metal statue of a horse and rider in the square in front of the cathedral as well as a crucifix which stands at the altar and other statues within the church interior.

The city of Verona is a hugely popular spot in the region of Veneto. A more relaxed destination than the lagoon city of Venice, Verona offers tourists a vast and rich archive of superb architecture, art and cultural heritage to explore. It’s been awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Status for its well documented places of interest and frequently hosts thrilling opera performances, festivals and lively markets!

The famous English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare clearly had a great love for the city as three of his plays are based in Verona; ‘The two Gentlemen of Verona”, ‘The taming of the Shrew’ and probably his most famous ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Those wishing to stay close to Verona for a few days have a lovely choice of holiday rentals near Lake Garda which is within a couple of hours from the city. Here holiday makers can enjoy the best of the scenic Lake Garda and then travel into Verona for an exciting day of exploration!

Ravenna city in the region of Emilia Romagna in north-eastern Italy is a haven of art and beauty! Nicknamed ‘The Mosaic City’, the many religious buildings, palaces and monuments of the city are adorned with intricate mosaics for you to admire. Stay in a lovely holiday villa in Ravenna where you can relax after a wonderful day of discovering the history, art and culture of the area.

There are eight incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ravenna for you to explore including early Christian monuments like the Baptistery of Neon, the Basilica of Sant ‘Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Theodoric. These eight sites of interest would make an excellent starting point in your tour of Ravenna!

The famous Master poet of Italy, Dante Alighieri held the city of Ravenna close to his heart. He even mentioned it in his masterpiece poem, The Divine Comedy. Dante is buried in a beautiful little tomb in the city that tourists can visit.