posted by Travel Cat on Jul 5
Why not forget the new – and go in search of the old!
Have you considered taking a trip somewhere away from the crowds – and maybe swatting up on a bit of history along the way?
Rather than flying to a single destination in the sun and only seeing the beach and the restaurant, why not explore whole regions with a past – and some great architecture and maybe the odd royal connection or scandal!
Here are 5 great areas you could consider visiting for just this piece of history without an Egyptian in sight!
1) Central America: The Maya, Olmecs and Toltecs
Visit any number of ancient temples, caves and whole cities swallowed up by the jungle! There are so many sites that have been discovered in the thick rainforests from Mexico down to Guatemala.
You can explore many of these completely alone with just the toucan and monkeys for company where as others are crammed with tourists day after day. Whether you take a tour, an individual guide or a hotel day trip – you will not be disappointed!
2) South America: The Inca
Many of these ruins and archaeological sites are in the mountains – and a walking holiday here is nothing but breath-taking!
There are no bus rides between these sites – you get the pleasure of walking and camping in the very mountains where these cultures farmed and lived. I have been here – and take my word for it – they is beautiful!
3) Cambodia: Angkor Wat
This extensive building complex has a fascinating history – and it is even more wonderful than when it was first used in the 1300′s.
Covering acres and acres of flat fields, drainage basins and waterways, this site was once the centre of a great culture who learned to harness the monsoon to support a huge community.
Luckily the buildings lasted longer than the civilisation that dreamt up this towering and sprawling site. Don’t just take 1 day here – it’s not enough! And read up before you go to get the most out of it!
4) Europe: Italy
If you want great architecture and some classical reading, then consider the home of the Romans!
There are so many ancient trading, religious and academic sites in this country – that it is nothing short of a huge open air museum that serves great food all day every day!
Rome, Venice, Pisa, Genoa, Milan, Florence, Naples and Turin all within driving distance. I mean where else could you see so much of Europe’s past set in the sun and virtually all within sea views of crystal clear blue seas!
5) China: Great Wall, Xian, the Forbidden City
No cultural trip is complete without a trip to the ancient world of China.
There are tales of them inventing virtually everything, mapping the globe and the night sky and having sailed around the world many years before the Europeans. There is even the idea that they started the Renaissance in Italy after settling there!
With some amazing geography, ancient culture, picturesque architecture and a very long history – this has surely got to be one of the best historical vacation spots out there!
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