12 Travel Destinations for History Lovers
One fun aspect of traveling is learning about the History of a particular place. How cool is it to be able to walk the same steps that influential historical figures once did and to better understand the paths that led people, places, and things to become who and what they are today? A knowledge of history allows us to connect with our past, make sense of our present situation, and shape our future decisions. Plus, learning history can just be plain fascinating and fun! For all the wandering history buffs out there, check out our list of travel destinations that are sure to excite the historian in you.
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
The Yucatán Peninsula is home to the remains of the Mayan civilization. In Cancun, you’ll find the ruins of Cobá and Chichen Itza. The latter is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its attractions include altar-like structures, pyramids, observatories, Great Hall Court, Temple of the Warriors, and El Castillo. Also located on the Peninsula is Merida, where you can take a trek of the Puuc region, which includes such sites as the Uxmal ceremonial grounds and pyramids and El Palacio.
Athens, Greece
Many consider Athens to be the birthplace of Western civilization. You can’t miss the Acropolis, which includes the Parthenon, the Propylaea gateway, the Athena Nike temple, and the Erechtheum. The Acropolis Museum houses a collection of valuable archaeological artifacts from the region. Another must-see is the Old Olympic Stadium. If you are interested in Greek mythology, you’ll definitely want to visit Athens, where you can trace the origins of the stories.
Petra, Jordan
Also known as the “Rose City,” Petra is believed to have been established in 312 BC and was discovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. In Petra, you will find over 800 exquisite temples, baths, tombs, and other buildings and structures carved into the majestic cliffs. Another major highlight of this ancient archaeological city is the water conduit system. Petra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Another fun fact about Petra is that its famous Al Khazneh (The Treasury) was used for the entrance to the temple housing the Holy Grail in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Rome, Italy
Rome is the birthplace of another one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Some of the ruins of ancient Rome include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the early Christian Catacombs of San Callisto, Palatine Hill, the Baths of Caracalla, Villa dei Quintili, the Arch of Constantine, the Pantheon, and the remains of Port of Ostia Antica. It’s also hard not to be mesmerized by the breathtaking Baroque and Renaissance architecture of Rome.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is what remains of the Incan civilization—once considered one of the world’s most advanced—before it was taken over by the Spanish. The must-sees of the Lost City of the Incas include Temple of the Sun, Room of the Three Windows, and Intihuatana Stone.
Beijing, China
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, Beijing carries the history of the various empires who ruled this vast empire that continues to influence Asian culture to this day. Some of the important historical sites in Beijing include the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall of China, which is almost fully preserved.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument, stretching over 402 acres. It was built as the state capital in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II in the stunning Khmer architectural style. It was originally built as a Hindu temple and has many elaborate carvings of Hindu deities, but it gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat is also famous for being the only temple to face west. Fans of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider will also enjoy a visit to Angkor Wat, where many of the scenes were shot.
Budapest, Hungary
In Budapest, you can find ruins of some of Roman and Medieval sites. Sites to visit include the Roman-inspired Aquincum and Matthias Church and the Medieval Buda Castle and museums.
Agra, India
Agra is most famous for the Taj Mahal—a Wonder of the World, a beautiful monument in its own right, and a symbol of eternal love. Believed to have taken two decades to complete, the Taj Mahal was built for Mughal ruler Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. Intricately carved marble and a variety of semi-precious and precious stones make up the Taj Mahal. In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra is also home to other remains of the Mughal Dynasty, including Agra Fort, Tomb of I’timād-Ud-Daulah, and Akbar’s tomb.
Cairo, Egypt
In Cairo, you can immerse yourself in awe-inspiring architecture, hieroglyphics, and the remains of yet another ancient and influential civilization. Must-sees include the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, the Egyptian Museum, and the Pyramids of Giza. And of course, you can’t forget the Great Sphinx. The Sphinx took nearly 20 years to build and stands at 481 feet. Imagine building such a great monument without cranes or other modern construction tools.
Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem is one of the holiest ancient cities in the world. In fact, it is surrounded by a 465-year-old wall. Sites not to miss include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock, Mount Zion, and the Western Wall.
Boston, Massachusetts
Founded in 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city played a key role in America’s founding. In fact, the American Revolution started just outside of Boston. A visit to Boston must include a walk along the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route of historical sites that tell the story of the birth of the nation. One of the stops is Faneuil Hall, an old meeting house that is today a fun and bustling marketplace.
Have you been to any of these destinations? Are you hoping to visit any? Do you love history and want to gain more knowledge or share what you know? If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out Konversai. Konversai is an online hub for all personal human knowledge. The platform connects providers of knowledge with seekers of knowledge on any topic of interest, no matter how seemingly common or obscure, and enables them to have one-on-one live video conversations. Both knowledge providers and knowledge seekers benefit from having sessions on Konversai. Knowledge providers have the option to make money talking about what they know and love with people who want to learn from them, all on their own time and from the comfort of wherever they call home. Knowledge seekers can enjoy a personalized, catered session with a live human being on exactly what they’re looking to learn about a particular topic, whether it be history, travel, hair and makeup, vegan cooking, painting, pet grooming, Italian, high school physics, guitar, healthy communication, and so much more. Any and all knowledge, skills, and experiences are valued and have a place on Konversai. The only limit is your imagination. Don’t miss out on the fun! Join Konversai today!
Written by: Pavita Singh
Sources:
- DK Travel. Top 10 trips for history buffs.
- Fleet, Anna. The World’s Most Historic Vacation Spots. Escape Here.
- Kalra, Suchi Singh. (2015). Top 10 holiday destinations for history buffs. Skyscanner.
- Malhotra, Saanya. (2017). The World’s Best Destinations for History Buffs. Make My Trip.
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