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Quite the Site: Luxury Travel to UNESCO World Wonders

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Belmond Editors

Illustrations

Manon Cezaro

5 min read

An illustration of a supporting column with scrolls and engravings, in green brushwork and loose lines by Manon Cezaro.

As proud custodians of historic properties near cultural and natural wonders, Belmond’s hotels and trains are the perfect choice for travellers with a historical hankering. Whether you’re marvelling at the ingenuity of the ancient Romans in Britain or the wonders of the Mayas in Mexico, our properties are your gateway to the past.

Teatro Antico di Taormina, Italy

1 minute from Grand Hotel Timeo

You couldn’t get closer to Taormina's foremost archaeological marvel than Grand Hotel Timeo, a historic hotel that joins with the Teatro Antico via a secret passageway. Built in the third century BC, the theatre could hold 10,000 spectators in its heyday: first for the ancient Greeks hosting plays and cultural gatherings, and later for gladiatorial contests during the Roman period. With its tumble of honey-hued bricks, well-rounded seating and vista across to Mount Etna, this ancient amphitheatre has beguiled visitors as the jewel in Taormina’s crown for well over two millennia.

A Manon Cezaro illustration of a mask with ribbons in red, green and blue represents Taormina's historic Teatro Antico.

Hagia Sophia, Turkey

Visited by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Paris to Istanbul route aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the stuff of legend, but even more treasures await when you reach the end of the line in the vibrant city once known as Constantinople, the seat of the Eastern Empire. Here sits the majestic Hagia Sophia, erected in AD 537 and known as one of the most impressive relics of the Byzantine Empire. Combining both Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy, clad in many-hued marble and guarded by four towering minarets, the building is crowned by a central dome of almost impossible proportions – this floating marvel of engineering is a sight you’ll never forget once you lay your eyes upon it.

An illustration of an ornate doorway in Turkey's Hagia Sophia Mosque, painted in pink, red and green, by artist Manon Cezaro.

Roman Baths, England

Visited by the British Pullman train, departing from London

The historic city of Bath owes its name to a timeless legacy: the Roman baths built nearly 2,000 years ago. Originally called Aquae Sulis – a tribute to Sulis, the Celtic goddess of hot springs – it’s a site that brings to life Roman Britain’s vibrant culture. The baths’ mineral-rich waters were believed to hold healing powers and they served as a social epicentre for the city. While bathing there is off-limits today, an on-site museum showcases priceless relics from the Roman period, including offerings left to honour the goddess Sulis herself – you can even take a sip of the mineral-rich waters.

Two old coins, one black, the other red, with Roman faces, representing the UNESCO city of Bath, illustrated by Manon Cezaro.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

2 hours from Maroma

If you imagine an ancient pyramid in Mesoamerica, there’s a good chance you’re picturing Chichén Itzá – one of the most emblematic archaeological sites of Yucatán. Estimates say the original site was built between 750 and 900 AD, but it wasn’t until the 10th century that the city became a regional capital. The primary draw is the main pyramid: the Temple of Kukulkan, devoted to the famed winged serpent deity seen across the region. The slope and panels of the stairs, ending in a serpent’s head, depict Kukulkan when seen in profile and are illuminated when night descends. For those searching for luxury hotels near UNESCO sites, it doesn’t get better than Maroma.

The ancient Chichén Itzá pyramid in Mesoamerica depicted in a black and white brush-stroke illustration by Manon Cezaro.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Visited by the Hiram Bingham train

Machu Picchu, a 15th-century citadel built by the Incan people high in the Peruvian Andes at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, was long known to local communities. It gained global fame, however, after explorer Hiram Bingham’s 1911 expedition sparked widespread interest, leading to its excavation and eventual preservation. This iconic ‘lost city’ captivated the world with its breathtaking archaeological sophistication and precise alignment with celestial events – showcasing the Incas’ advanced knowledge of astronomy – and its seamless integration into the lush natural landscape. For the best hotel near Machu Picchu, Sanctuary Lodge sits right by the citadel’s entrance.

A painting with sweeping brush strokes in green and brown by Manon Cezaro represents the UNESCO site, Machu Picchu.

Pompeii, Italy

45 minutes from Caruso

Under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the town of Pompeii still stands, preserved beneath a blanket of ash and pumice from the 79 AD volcanic eruption. It is a vision into Roman life unlike any other, including ornate decorations, frescos, jewellery and countless objects that give insight into the lives lived and lost in this town, making it a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Owing to its status as the only archaeological site in the world that provides a complete picture of an ancient Roman city, it must be seen to truly be experienced.

A blue column with decorative scrolls on a red and brown background drawn by Manon Cezaro depicts the Roman city of Pompei.

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