If you haven’t discovered Matera then it’s about time you did. The southern Italian city is thought to be the third-oldest continually-inhabited settlement in the world (after Aleppo and Jericho). It's famous for its sassi, a complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside that are crowned by a 13th-century cathedral. Once run-down and impoverished, the caves now house restaurants, bars, hotels and stores. One, Vitantonio Lombardo, even has a Michelin star.

This incredible country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Stunning alternative cities you’ve never thought to visit but really should