The Veneto’s 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Venice, Verona, Vicenza, Padua, the Dolomites and the Prosecco Hills: nine UNESCO treasures to discover on day trips from Casa Fiorindo.
Choosing Casa Fiorindo in Meolo as the base for a cultural trip means combining relaxation and discovery: easy day trips to art cities, rolling hills, historic villages and natural wonders, then back each evening to the peace of the Venetian countryside.
The Veneto is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each one a treat for anyone who loves beauty, culture and authenticity. Here’s how to reach them from our farmhouse – and what not to miss.
- Venice and its Lagoon
- Vicenza and the Palladian Villas
- Padua Botanical Garden
- Verona
- The Dolomites
- Prehistoric pile dwellings
- Venetian Works of Defence
- The Prosecco Hills
- Padua Urbs Picta
UNESCO World Heritage since 1987
Venice and its Lagoon
Staying in Meolo means enjoying the calm of the countryside while being perfectly placed to explore Venice and its lagoon. Founded in the 5th century, the Serenissima is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece where history, art and nature blend into one.
- An architectural marvel: built on an archipelago of islets between winding canals, it is home to icons such as St Mark’s Square, the Basilica and the historic palazzi along the Grand Canal.
- A unique ecosystem: the lagoon is a fragile, fascinating environment where human ingenuity and nature have lived in balance for over a thousand years.
- Easy from Meolo: with the train station and main roads close by, you’ll reach the historic centre comfortably and without the stress of traffic.
UNESCO World Heritage since 1994 and 1996
Vicenza and the Palladian Villas
If you love classical architecture, Casa Fiorindo is the ideal base for a trip to Vicenza and the Palladian Villas. The works of Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) shaped architecture around the world, giving rise to the famous ‘Palladian’ style.
- Vicenza’s historic centre: home to masterpieces such as the Basilica Palladiana and the iconic Teatro Olimpico.
- The noble villas: elegant country residences, the most famous being Villa Almerico Capra, known as ‘La Rotonda’.
- An easy day trip: quick connections mean you can enjoy an unforgettable cultural day and be back at the farmhouse to relax in the evening.
UNESCO World Heritage since 1997
Padua Botanical Garden
Founded in 1545, the University of Padua’s Botanical Garden is the oldest university botanical garden in the world still in its original location. For over five centuries it has been a centre for the study of botany and medicine.
- A living heritage: the Renaissance garden is now joined by the modern greenhouses of the Biodiversity Garden.
- Rare and medicinal plants: since its founding it has helped preserve plant species from all over the world.
- Easy from Meolo: right in the heart of Padua, it’s simple to reach by car or train for a day of science and nature.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2000
The city of Verona
World-famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a must: an outstanding example of a fortified city that has grown without interruption for more than two thousand years.
- Romance and legend: beyond the famous Juliet’s House, the city offers beautiful corners and lovely walks along the Adige.
- Roman heritage: the Arena, an extraordinary stage for opera and live music, sits alongside treasures such as the Roman Theatre and the ancient city gates.
- Easy logistics: reachable by motorway or by train, it’s the perfect destination for a day trip.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2009
The Dolomites
For nature lovers and hikers, Casa Fiorindo is a great starting point for the ‘Pale Mountains’, famous for rock that reflects the light in unique shades of colour, especially at sunrise and sunset.
- Spectacular scenery: nine mountain groups and 18 peaks over 3,000 metres, with sheer rock faces, valleys and glaciers.
- Outdoor activities: a destination for every season – for walking, climbing or simply taking in the view.
- A trip from Meolo: set off in the morning to reach the Belluno Pre-Alps or the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, and be back at the farmhouse in the evening.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2011
Prehistoric pile dwellings: Laghetto della Costa
Part of the transnational site of prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps, the settlement at Laghetto della Costa in Arquà Petrarca dates back more than 4,000 years, between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age.
- Remarkably preserved finds: the damp ground has preserved wooden tools, food remains and everyday objects for thousands of years.
- The Euganean Hills setting: the visit goes hand in hand with the medieval village of Arquà Petrarca, where the poet Petrarch spent his final years.
- An ideal outing: just over an hour’s drive from Meolo, it lets you combine archaeology with local food and wine.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2017
Venetian Works of Defence, 16th–17th century
This serial site brings together the most impressive feats of military engineering built by the Venetian Republic to protect its mainland territories (Stato da Tera) and its overseas possessions (Stato da Mar).
- Peschiera del Garda: the Veneto’s jewel within this heritage, famous for its pentagonal fortress surrounded by water.
- Engineering ‘alla moderna’: a testament to how defensive architecture evolved after the arrival of gunpowder. The site also includes Palmanova, the star-shaped town in Friuli.
- A trip from the farmhouse: a great chance to combine history with a relaxing day on the shores of Lake Garda.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2019
The Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
An extraordinary cultural landscape shaped by generations of growers working by hand: a unique patchwork of grassy terraces, small vineyards, woods and picturesque villages.
- ‘Heroic’ viticulture: steep slopes planted with vines draw a striking, geometric landscape unlike anywhere else in the world.
- Home of Prosecco Superiore DOCG: the ideal route for driving the Prosecco Wine Road and visiting historic wineries.
- Great food, close by: a short drive from Meolo, the hills are perfect for a day of good food and fine wine.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2021
Padua Urbs Picta: the 14th-century fresco cycles
Padua holds a pictorial treasure unlike any other: eight historic buildings with fresco cycles painted in the 1300s by Giotto and his successors.
- Giotto’s masterpiece: the Scrovegni Chapel marked a revolution in Western wall painting, in the use of space and the expression of emotion.
- An art itinerary: besides the Scrovegni Chapel, the site includes the Palazzo della Ragione, the Cathedral Baptistery, the Church of the Eremitani and the Basilica of St Anthony.
- A visit from Meolo: easy to reach by car or train, for a full immersion in medieval art.
Good to know: the Scrovegni Chapel, some Venetian museums and guided tours need to be booked online in advance, especially at weekends and in high season. For Venice, check the City of Venice’s official website to see whether the access fee applies on the days of your stay.
Your base camp between art and nature
Apartments surrounded by greenery in Meolo, close to the station and the motorway: the ideal starting point for discovering the Veneto’s UNESCO treasures.