HITTING THE HIGHLIGHTS

If you’ve been travelling it’s likely you’ll have encountered at least a few places that shout about their status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s become a badge of honour for those tasked with promoting an area, and a way of letting people know they’re visiting a place of value.

Founded in 1945, UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – was created following the widespread destruction of World War Two. The aim was to bring about peace and nurture international harmony by advancing cultural and intellectual development. In the 1970s the groundwork was laid for recognising and protecting what became known as World Heritage Sites. There are currently almost 1,250 of these sites around the world, covering everything from awe-inspiring natural landmarks to architectural feats to ancient old towns.

Unearthing one on your travels can be a holiday highlight, so why not base your next trip around one of UNESCO’s sites? We’ve picked out four of them from across Europe that we feel are worth travelling for, but which are also in reliably great holiday locations.

This means that however much (or little) time you spend exploring the UNESCO sites themselves, you’ll also have plenty of other options lined up when you want a change of scenery.

PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK – LIKA-SENJ, CROATIA

BEST FOR: NATURE AND WILDLIFE

The 30,000 hectares of Croatia’s oldest and largest national park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is today one of the country’s most popular visitor sites – and no wonder, since its 16 main lakes and numerous waterfalls really are a visual feast. Tour the aquatic wonders via eight routes and explore the wider landscape over four hiking trails. As you might imagine, the area is teeming with wildlife – bears, wolves and lynx all inhabit the park (don’t worry, they don’t make their way to the well-trodden visitor areas), as well as deer, otters, bison and an array of birds, from buzzards to the Eurasian skylark.

CINQUE TERRE – LINGURIA, ITALY

BEST FOR: COASTLINES AND COSY VILLAGES

This cluster of villages on Italy’s far northwestern coast was awarded World Heritage status in 1997 as part of a wider – and similarly wonderful – coastal region. Each of the five enchanting villages offers a distinct atmosphere and its own wild beauty.

Vernazza has a traditional feel and buckets of charm thanks to its handsome architecture and winding, historic streets, while Corniglia, in the middle of the five, offers a more peaceful experience and stunning views across the region thanks to its clifftop location. Manarola is arguably the most romantic of the villages and boasts dramatic, plunging cliffs. Monterosso features an impressive sandy beach (the only one in the Cinque Terre Villages) and flatter paths. Riomaggiore has a buzzier feel thanks to stylish bars and restaurants alongside stacks of multicoloured houses spilling down towards the pretty harbour.

ALHAMBRA – GRANADA, SPAIN

BEST FOR: HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE

Inscribed by UNESCO in 1984, this vast complex encompasses palaces, a fortress, exquisite gardens and truly magnificent Islamic architecture. Although there are different interpretations about when the Alhambra was built, it’s generally agreed that construction began in the 13th century, when an existing fortress underwent transformation into a royal residence for the Nasrid dynasty. The highlights of this Moorish masterpiece are many, but if your visiting time is limited, the three unmissables are the Nasrid Palaces (the achingly intricate heart of the Alhambra, crowned by the Court of the Lions and its famous marble fountain, featuring 12 sculpted lions), the Generalife gardens (housing luscious floral displays and elegant water features) and the Alcazaba – a mighty fortress and the oldest surviving part of today’s complex.

CHAMPAGNE – FRANCE

BEST FOR: FIZZ AND FANTASTIC COUNTRYSIDE

No doubt there were even more corks popped than usual around north-eastern France in July 2015 when UNESCO awarded the region’s “hillsides, houses and cellars” World Heritage status. This is one of the more obviously fun UNESCO pilgrimages, but a visit here also offers insights into an ancient tradition and the world-famous industry that emerged.

There are many places to explore in Champagne, but the two must-sees – and where many visitors stay – are Épernay and Reims. Nestled among vineyards, the town of Épernay is the unofficial capital of the region, housing vineyards, cellars and big-name Champagne houses on its famous Avenue de Champagne, including Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët. While also full of bubbly, larger city Reims offers more attractions, most notably the spectacular Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims.