Beautiful Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world, and its natural landmarks make up over 5% of UNESCOs global list. The rich history and culture of Italy have made it stand out, and when you visit any of the 53 official sites, a visit to Italy will make it easy to see just why so many sites have been named on the World Heritage list!

There is also a list of possible contenders to be named World Heritage Sites, and only last month two new places were added to the list: Venetian works of defence, including three fortress towns in north-eastern Italy and its ancient beech tree forests. When on your holidays, staying at our luxury villas in Italy , be sure to visit at least one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are some of the most spectacular:

Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

When Vesuvius erupted on August 24th, 79AD, it engulfed the two towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These places have been excavated and made accessible since the mid-18th century. The well-preserved remains of the towns and surrounding villas are wonderful to wander around, and you can imagine what life might have been like during the height of the Roman Empire.

City of Verona

The whole city of Verona qualified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, and as you walk the streets, it is easy to understand why. The city was founded in 1st century BC and has preserved a remarkable amount of monuments from various periods of history such as medieval and Renaissance. Verona is also an example of a military stronghold. The city has also influenced many writers, painters and artists with its rich history.

Costiera Amalfitana

The Amalfi Coast, where Quality Villas offers several luxury villas, is an area of great physical beauty and natural diversity. People have been settling in the region since the early Middle Ages, and several towns such as Amalfi and Ravello hold significant architectural and artistic works. The rural areas of the region are also noteworthy due to the versatility of the inhabitants and their ability to adapt to the diverse terrain. We highly recommend taking a boat ride along the coast, giving you breath-taking views of the coastline.

Historic Centre of Florence

Since 1982, Florence has been a World Heritage Site. The city is regarded to be the symbol of the Italian Renaissance, rising to economic and cultural prominence under the Medici family in the 15th and 16th centuries. There have been 600 years of artistic importance, much of which is still surviving today. When on holiday in Tuscany, visit the city to see the 13th century Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi and Pitti palaces, and the works of great masters such as Botticelli and Michelangelo in the art galleries.

Medici Villas and Gardens of Tuscany

Tuscany is the home to several World Heritage Sites, and one of the most recent places to be awarded, in 2013, is the Medici Villas and Gardens. The twelve villas and two gardens make up the site, and they bear the influence the powerful Medici family had over modern European culture. The villas were built between the 15th and 17th centuries and represent the innovative system of construction in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. The villas are the first example of the connection between architecture gardens and the environment that was the reference for princely residences in Italy and around Europe.

The Dolomites

The Dolomites mountain range is part of the northern Italian Alps, and you can see the snowy peaks from many of our Italian lakes villas. There are 18 peaks which rise to above 3000 metres. The region has some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes found in the world, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs and deep valleys. As part of the Alps, the Dolomites are popular for skiing and hiking. You can enjoy their beauty on the alpine coaster and cable cars, where the mountains are spread out before you.

Trulli of Alberobello

A trullo is a traditional dry stone hut building with a conical roof. The quirky and instantly recognisable construction is unique to the Itria Valley in the centre of Puglia. The white washed walls and unique roofs are reminiscent of a bygone Italian era, and the building of trulli started in the mid-14th century and continues today. The whole Itria Valley region is scattered with trulli, but the village of Alberobello, south of Bari, is the most impressive collection of perfectly preserved structures. You can visit the trulli today, as many have been transformed into shops and restaurants. Quality Villas also offers luxurious villas in the traditional trulli, so you can really experience living in the historic buildings.