Top 5 Places To See On An Ancient History Holiday
By Kieron Sellens
With Indiana Jones back in the cinemas once more, an interest
in ancient civilisations is no longer confined to professors
and archaeologists. Indeed, cultural heritage holidays are
growing increasingly popular, with many AITO tour operators
offering trips that look at some of the most notable ancient
ruins in the world. While most of the great monuments of ancient
civilisations have been eroded or destroyed, some still survive,
and visiting one of these sites is like going on a holiday in
ancient history. In addition to being spectacular structures in
their own right, they form an invaluable part of any cultural
heritage holiday, giving a glimpse of a way of life that has
long since disappeared.
If you fancy yourself as the next academic adventurer and are
considering a cultural heritage holiday abroad, here are five of
the most important places to visit around the world.
The Parthenon, Greece
Anyone on a specialised classical Greece holiday will see many
amazing sights, including the Temple at Delphi and the ruins of
the Temple of Zeus at Mount Olympus. But dwarfing them all is
the Parthenon in Athens, often regarded as the most important
classical monument that is still standing today. It is an
ancient temple to the goddess Athena, and is one of the finest
examples of ancient Greek architecture and artwork. The inside
is a treasure trove of sculptures (though much of its content
now resides in the British museum), and the temple is placed in
an unforgettable location on the Acropolis, looking down over
Athens.
Machu Picchu, Peru
This “Lost City of the Incas” was only rediscovered at the
beginning of the 20th century, and is an essential place to
visit for those interested in past civilisations. Situated on
top of a mountain above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, this
excellently preserved site is the one of the finest remaining
examples of Inca architecture and has been voted one of the New
Seven Wonders of the World.
You can reach Machu Picchu by train from Cusco, but for a
really adventurous cultural heritage holiday you can walk the
Inca Trail, a multi day hike through a number of Inca ruins that
reaches Machu Picchu at sunrise on the fourth day.
Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
Out of the Seven Wonders of the World listed by the ancient
Greek historian Herodotus, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only
one that can still be seen today on an ancient history holiday
to Egypt. Built over 4500 years ago, the Pyramid was built as a
tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh Cheops. It took over twenty years
to construct, and was the tallest man-made structure in the
world for several thousand years.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Cultural heritage holidays to Mexico inevitably tour the ruins
of ancient Mayan civilisation, and Chichen Itza is one of the
most important Mayan sites in Mexico. The temple complex was
built over 2000 years ago, and most of the buildings remain
intact today, including the Temple of Kukulkan, the Great Ball
Court and the Temple of the Warriors. It was the capital of
Mayan civilisation for almost a thousand years – why Chichen
Itza was abandoned is not known, but archaeological research
suggests its downfall was violent. The site is truly a must-see
for those with an interest in ancient Mayan culture, with some
of the best preserved Mayan architecture left standing today.
Coliseum, Italy
Situated at the centre of Rome, this colossal amphitheatre (the
largest ever built in the ancient Roman empire) is almost 2000
years old. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the
Coliseum could hold over 50,000 spectators, and hosted
gladiatorial contests, performances and historical enactments.
Despite damage from earthquakes and robbery, it has stood the
test of time and remains one of the landmark sights for a
cultural heritage holiday to Italy.
About the Author: Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of
the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With
AITO’s cultural breaks
http://www.aito.co.uk/cultural-history-holiday.asp you can
choose from tailor-made cultural heritage holidays, art tours,
musical trips and many more.
