10 Magnificent UNESCO Sites to See on a Customisable Italy Tour

Did you know Italy is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world? That’s right, Italy pips China to the post with a spectacular 55 UNESCO sites! Already one of the world’s most sought-after countries to travel to, Italy’s thousands of years of history and rich cultural development have left a stream of incredible sights waiting to be explored. From the ancient archaeological ruins to the postcard-perfect coastlines and the charming historical centres, a customisable Italy tour itinerary will have you picking your jaw up off the floor at every turn. 

So, what better way to explore this wonderful country than by way of UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Forget the research, Designer Journeys’ Grace Homer has rounded up ten of Italy’s most spectacular UNESCO sites all encased in unique customisable Italy tours that enable you to experience them as few travellers will.

1. Pompeii, the City Left Buried for 1,600 Years

At the foot of Mount Vesuvius, one of the most deadly and fascinating volcanoes in European history, the archaeological site of Pompeii is an ancient city that thrived over 2,000 years ago. During the Roman Empire in the 1st century (eight centuries after Pompeii was founded),  a series of eruptions buried this city under 30 feet of volcanic ash. Remarkably, the city was left undiscovered until the 17th century. Today, you can explore this incredible site which spreads out over 66 hectares and boasts beautiful ancient architecture, sculptures and mosaics which were all wonderfully preserved by the ash. 

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1997

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Pompeii: 24-Day Best of Italy’s Cities & Countryside

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Embark on a getaway to three of Italy’s most-loved cities! Your Italy itinerary is 5 days from Rome to Venice, beginning in the Eternal City, where you’ll learn all about the rich history of the Roman Empire through the city’s beautiful monuments. Moving on, you’ll catch the fast train to Florence where you’ll discover why this city is known as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’. Your final stop will be in Venice, a city built entirely on water and spread over 100 islands that captivates each and every visitor! This 5-day Italy itinerary takes you to some of the finest artistic gems in the country while remaining open so that you can enjoy your time in Italy in your own way.

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8-Day Luxury Italy from Milan to Rome

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Milan to Rome, exploring Italy’s rich tapestry of cities and landscapes. Over eight beautiful days, you’ll visit, explore and get to know four iconic cities in Italy as you travel from Milan to Rome. This journey offers a delightful mix of stunning views and charming stops, from the vibrant streets of Milan to the historic allure of Rome. Your journey begins in Milan, the bustling metropolis of northern Italy. Known for its fashion, design, and vibrant urban life, Milan beautifully merges the old with the new. Before embarking on your long drive south, take some time to explore the city of Milan on a guided walking tour. These iconic sites include the magnificent Milan Cathedral, the Sforzesco Castle, the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, and the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery. Experience the panoramic views and beautiful architecture that define northern Lazio. Leaving Milan, you will catch a high-speed train to Venice through the fertile plains of Emilia Romagna. With its intricate network of canals, stunning architecture, and rich history, it is unlike any other city in the world. Start your Venetian adventure by visiting St. Mark’s Square, home to the impressive St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Don’t miss a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Venice’s beautiful palaces and churches. Continuing south, you’ll enter the picturesque region of Tuscany. This stretch of your journey offers stunning views of rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is a must-visit. Spend some time walking through its charming streets, visiting its museums, and enjoying the panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local market of San Lorenzo and savour a delightful wine-tasting experience paired with regional cold cuts. Let our experienced local designer lead you on a journey through the rich history of Italian culinary traditions. If you have time, take a short detour to the medieval town of San Gimignano. On the day after, you will take a car ride to the Florence Train Station and head to Rome, the capital of Italy. Rome needs no introduction. It is a place where history comes alive, with every street and building telling a story of the past. From the grandeur of the Colosseum to the artistic wonders of the Vatican Museums, Rome does justice to its reputation. Pocket tips for you: Plan Your Route: While the main highway from Milan to Rome is straightforward, consider taking alternative routes to explore more of Italy’s countryside. Book Hotels in Advance: It’s advisable to book your hotels in advance to save time and ensure a place to stay, especially in peak seasons. Visiting in October or later in the fall can offer a more relaxed experience, with fewer tourists and cooler weather. Stay Flexible: While having a plan is helpful, allow yourself the flexibility to take detours and discover unexpected places along the way. Watch for Speed Limits: Italy’s highways are well-maintained, but speed limits are strictly enforced. Keep an eye on the signs to avoid fines. Sample Local Cuisine: Each region has its own culinary specialities. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy local food at each stop along your route. A luxury trip from Milan to Rome is more than just a journey from one city to another; it’s an exploration of Italy’s rich cultural and natural diversity. From the bustling streets of Milan to the historic charm of Rome, with scenic detours through Tuscany and beyond, this trip offers a comprehensive look at what makes Italy so special. Along the way, immerse yourself in the art, history, and culinary delights that define luxury travel. For the discerning traveller, this is not just a road trip—it’s an unforgettable Italian odyssey. Scroll down to check out the detailed 8-Day Luxury Italy from Milan to Rome below.

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14-Day Rome, Amalfi Coast & Puglia

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10-Day From Rome to Palermo through Southern Italy

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6-Day Culture and Wine in Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most famous and beautiful regions of Italy, home to stunning landscapes of rolling vineyards, traditional houses and quaint medieval hilltop villages and towns. Let yourself be charmed by the rich heritage, delicious food and drink that the region is famous for on this Tuscany wine tour. During this six-day trip, you will visit Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Montalcino whilst learning all about the rich heritage, the countryside and the gastronomy of Tuscany. This tour also includes a guided tour of Siena and walking tour of Florence.

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2. Verona, the Historic City of Enchanting Love Stories

Founded in the 1st century BC, Verona flourished throughout the 13th to the 18th centuries leaving it with a very well-preserved historic centre full of monuments dating back to antiquity as well as the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Verona is famously the backdrop to Shakespeare’s tale, Romeo & Juliet, so naturally coins the title of one of ‘Italy’s most romantic cities’. As you wander through Verona’s heart, its enchanting squares and winding backstreets, each with a fascinating story to tell, will steal your heart. 

Year of UNESCO inscription: 2000

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Verona: 12-Day Venice, Verona, Cinque Terre, Florence & Rome

3. Palermo & Cefalu, a Mix of Charming Architecture & Beautiful Churches at Sicily’s Heart

On the northern coast of Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, the Arab-Norman town of Palermo stands as a testament to the beautiful coexistence of several different cultures in this region throughout history. Boasting two palaces, three churches, the Palermo Cathedral and the cathedrals of Cefalu and Monreale, through its charming architecture this UNESCO-listed region demonstrates the fascinating confluence of the Western, Islamic and Byzantine cultures.

Year of UNESCO inscription: 2015

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Sicily: 15-Day Best of Sicily and Sorrento Beaches & Culture

4. The Last Supper, the Incredible Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie

A must-see on any trip to Milan, the Church and Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of Italy’s finest examples of Renaissance architecture. However, the beauty of this church is not what’s on the outside but what it holds within it: one of the most famous works of art in the world, the ‘The Last Supper’ painted by Leonardo Da Vinci between 1495 and 1497 is housed within the refectory of the convent. Da Vinci’s work heralded a new era of art; laying eyes on this mural is like witnessing history. 

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1980

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Milan: 5-Day Milan & Venice

5. Sam Gimignano, the Town of Medieval Towers

Renowned for its beautiful towns scattered between rolling hills of perfectly lined vineyards and olive orchards, Tuscany is somewhere no one should miss. If you only make it to one town, it should be the medieval hill town of San Gimignano encircled by 13th-century walls. A law passed in the 13th century prohibited the demolition of old buildings and therefore preserved this medieval town against radical changes. Sam Gimignano is known as the town of towers as once, 72 huge towers scattered the town, one built by each family to symbolise their wealth. Today, 14 of these beautiful towers still stand. 

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1990

Best customisable Italy tour to explore San Gimignano: 11-Day Essential Tuscany

6. Cinque Terre, the Famous Five Seaside Villages

Strung along the charming and rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre is a pocket of old villages. Their streets are flanked with colourful houses, terraced vineyards frame them and local fishing boats buzz about their harbours. The villages that make up the Cinque Terre – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Cornigli, Manarola and Riomaggiore – all date back to the early medieval period and much of this architecture remains today. Wonderful seafood, historical sites and stunning landscapes await you!

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1997

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Cinque Terre: 11-Day Cinque Terre to Rome

7. Sassi di Matera, One of the Most Unique Landscapes in Europe

Nestled in a canyon, Matera is an ancient town formed from a series of grottoes carved into limestone; the neighbourhood is known as Sassi di Matera. Now a beautiful ancient site, the history of Sassi di Matera wasn’t always as pretty. These caves were once the shame of the country as the living conditions inside the caves were extremely poor. In the 1950s, the people living here were moved out of squalor to the ‘new Matera’. This allowed the neighbourhood to be renovated into the pockets of restaurants, hotels and shops now situated inside these ancient cave dwellings.

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1993

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Matera: 11-Day Rome, Amalfi Coast, Fasano & Lecce

8. Mount Etna, One of the World’s Most Active Volcanoes

At almost three kilometres tall, this imposing volcano stands smoking away on the Mediterranean island of Sicily. Visible from many towns on the eastern side of the island, Mount Etna famously forms an impressive backdrop to the stage of the ancient amphitheatre of Taormina, designed so by the Romans. Whilst it is in a state of continual activity, the volcano is so vast that planned routes to the summit and its impressive crater are designed around its activity: avoiding hot spots whilst still delivering the most incredible views. 

Year of UNESCO inscription: 2013

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Mount Etna: 15-Day Italian City & Coast Discovery 

9. Trulli of Alberobello, the Fairytale Village of 14th-Century Limestone Dwellings

A truly iconic site, the small Puglian village of Alberobello is famous for its historic centre which is home to the peculiar conically-shaped buildings known as ‘trulli’ (the word ‘trulli’ translates to the Greek word for ‘dome’). These unique structures can be found all over the Puglia region, however, Alberobello boasts the highest concentration of Trulli (over 1,600) and archaeological findings in the village have dated it back to the Bronze Age. A ‘trulli’ remarkable sight, you can wander through the Alberobello’s winding streets flanked by these houses to the viewpoint where you can look over the entire historic centre.  

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1996

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Alberobello: 9-Day Luxury Italy from Rome to Venice

10.  Amalfi Coast, A Must-Visit on Any Customisable Italy Tour

Everyone has heard of Italy’s Amalfi Coast but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the greatest areas of physical beauty and natural diversity in Europe. Inhabited since the early Middle Ages, the Amalfi Coast is scattered with towns of great architectural significance: all wonderful examples of how centuries of communities have adapted to the diverse nature of the terrain along this coastline Stretching 40 kilometres, the Amalfi Coast offers one of the most incredible coastal drives in the world and is not to be missed. 

Year of UNESCO inscription: 1997

Best customisable Italy tour to explore Amalfi Coast: 9-Day Amalfi Coast to Rome

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