All over the world, wherever you look, you’ll be able to find relics of the past in the historical sites left behind by former civilizations. These mostly UNESCO-accredited sites and ruins promise to transport you and your travel companion back to another time entirely. Visit them all and experience the legends!
Angkor – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Find your inner zen at Angkor
If you’re interested in visiting the thousand-year-old seat of the Khmer Empire, you’ll have to join the line. As one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, and easily one of Southeast Asia’s most prized tourist attractions, over two million tourists visit every year to discover Angkor‘s tree-covered monastery, Ta Prohm, sculptures, and dense forestland surroundings.
The sights are certainly worth all the fanfare, with Angkor Wat as the crowning jewel. To see this Hindu-turned Buddhist, 12th century temple in all its resplendent glory, wake up early for the breathtaking sunrise. You’ll be sharing it with many other spirit-seeking tourists – and a smattering of monks on their very own spiritual pilgrimage – but try to zone out and find your very own inner zen.
Extra trip: many travelers hire a driver to take them around the site, but we recommend getting up close and personal and renting an electric bike.
Amphitheatre of El Jem – Mahdia Governorate, Tunisia
Goodbye, gladiators, hello peaceful sunsets at the Amphitheatre of El Jem
At the heart of the eponymous quaint village – just an hour’s drive from the city of Sfax to the south – this 3rd century amphitheater is one of the most significant relics of the Roman empire in North Africa. It was once capable of hosting up to 35,000 spectators to gladiatorial contest and chariot races.
Declared a World Heritage Site in 1979, the dilapidated ruins of the Amphitheatre of El Jem have been immortalised through the movies, used as a film location for several scenes from Life of Brian and Gladiator.
Bagan – Mandalay Region, Myanmar
Endless temple landscape in Bagan
Before the eroding dusty winds and the rising Ayeyarwady River destroy what’s left, head to the temple town of Bagan. On the Bagan plains, where once stood 13,000 temples in the 9th century, remain 3,000 fragile pagodas in an area the size of Manhattan Island. The most visited of the temples is the Ananda, with its standing buddhas and hti (tower) reaching 50 meters.
In the rainy months of June to October you can avoid the crowds and melt-worthy summer heat. Just like Angkor, the best way to visit is to go for an early climb on one of the five designated accessible pagodas to see the sun rising over the misty plains and the temples covered in overgrown trees.
Find a flight to nearby Mandalay
Hierapolis-Pamukkale – Denizli Province, Turkey
“Cotton castle” cascades at Pamukkale
Ever dreamt of walking on clouds? Well, you can (with a strong imagination) at Pamukkale, nicknamed the “cotton castle”. Walk across pristine white cascade terraces formed by calcium deposits from the Cal Mountain’s thousand year old volcanic springs. To preserve the site, dip only into the areas designated for walking and swimming amid the ancient Roman columns. The Holy City of Hierapolis’ remains of Greco-Roman baths, temples, and the 12,000 seat amphitheater give an idea of the grandeur of life back when it was founded in 190BC.
Jerash Archaeological City – Jerash, Jordan
The ancient city of Jerash is yours to discover
There’s no denying it: Jordan’s A-list archaeological site is the Raiders of the Lost Ark-starring lost city of Petra. But, for a country with such a diverse and illustrious history, one shouldn’t overlook the underdog ruins site of the country, steeped in over 6,500 years of history and shrouded in mystery: Jerash.
With Damascus to the north, Amman to the south, and Jerusalem to the west, the ancient city of Jerash came in to the limelight after the Roman conquest in 63BC as one of the 10 cities of the Decapolis League, and a central trading hub for the Roman Empire. Beaten and bruised by war and an earthquake in AD749, Jerash remained buried for over a thousand years until excavated in 1806. Today, it boasts some of the world’s best examples of Roman urbanism, with hillside temples, theaters, public baths and colonnaded streets. All that, and yet it still stands without a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Right the wrong and make sure you visit Jordan’s best kept secret.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments – Madhya Pradesh, India
Kinky kama-sutra all over Khajuraho Group of Monuments
The next site is rated-R. Joking aside, if you look closely at the bas-reliefs on the facades of the 20 temples of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, you might be surprised to see some rather explicit erotic sculptures. As you wander through the group of Hindu and Jain temples you’ll also be able to admire ancient Indian art and pay your respects to Shiva; Vishnu; Ganesha; Surya, the Sun God; and the mighty Mount Meru, considered the centre of the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes.
Mesa Verde National Park – Colorado, USA
Well-preserved cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park
If you’re looking for old historical sites in the States, you have to look past the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and way back to the time of the Ancestral Puebloans, who lived on God’s country from as early as AD550!
Their symbolic home can be found today in the Four Corners region where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet, in the Mesa Verde National Park, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 to “preserve the works of man”. And, boy, Roosevelt wasn’t kidding. With over 4,700 archaeological sites in the park – including 600 cliff-side dwellings, pit houses, pueblos, and a Sun Temple – this Huge (with a capital ‘H’) national park provides an unparalleled look in to the pre-birth of the nation.
Find a flight to Durango, Colorado
Mycenae – Argolis, Greece
Feel like an archaeologist at Mycenae
Pinch yourself, you aren’t dreaming, this really is the citadel described in Homer’s epic poem The Iliad. Visit the ruins of Mycenae, and you’ll be standing upon relics dating back to 16th century BC. With a bit of imagination, you can rebuild the property like the defensive walls, the Lion Gate (main entrance), and tholos (domed) tombs. Kings buried in the Treasury of Atreus tomb would have been laid here with their swords, jewels, and prized possessions. Unfortunately pillaged, no bodies were discovered by archaeologists – a treasure you can still admire that hasn’t changed for centuries is the scenic view over dry mountains, endless valleys, and distant sea.
Palenque – Chiapas, Mexico
An endless climb for a priceless view at Palenque
Like a scene out of the 1987 classic Predator, explore the mystical site of Palenque in Mexico. Surrounded by a dense jungle, don’t steer too far away from the pyramids and guided paths even if the screaming howler monkeys perched in the trees may tempt you.
A cool morning hike atop the 22-meter-high Temple of Inscriptions to watch the clouds rise above the Tumbala Mountains and Usumacinta River flood plains is the best way to go. Then admire the jewels, masks, and precious ornaments found in the 7th century tombs at the museum a half a mile from the site.
Extra tip: Wash off the humid sticky air in the pool formed by the 30-meter Misol-Ha waterfall, a short 35-minute drive from the temples.
Prambanan Temple – Central Java, Indonesia
The Prambanan temple, a Javanese treasure
Discovered in 1811, the ruins of the Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, attracts over 1 million visitors per year. Don’t worry, there’s room for everyone in this compound that once contained 250 temples, even if most people gather around the three main ones. Brave the crowd nonetheless to see these monuments at risk to devastating earthquakes in this region. The temples are best shown-off during spectacles organised year round – the Tawur Agung, a Hindu ritual held on the eve of Nyepi (March or April when the new moon occurs) to chase evil spirits away, is a colorful display of recitations, bell chiming, and paper effigies on parade symbolically set aflame before sunrise. Or grab a seat in the Aksobya open theater for the Javanese dance event Mahakarya in October and applaud the 200 performers in traditional dress.
The Roman Baths – Bath, UK
No swimming, just chilling by the Roman Baths
To say you’ve been to the Baths in Bath is a tongue twister, but in order to proudly say it you must patiently shuffle along with the 1 million visitors that storm the Roman Baths every year. Visit the open-air Great Bath, part of the complex built on three natural springs of 46 degree water, and make sure to catch a glimpse of the bronze head of Minerva and about 12,000 Roman coins found thrown into the springs.
Don’t be surprised if you see people in ancient Roman garb – the costumed interpreters, based on people who lived in Aquae Sulis (Bath’s Latin name), share their stories for those who care to listen. At the site’s café, take an afternoon tea break and have a sip of the (not-so-tasty) spring waters.
Extra tip: To have a bit more elbow room, buy your tickets online, visit early on a midweek morning, and avoid July and August.
Find a flight to nearby Bristol
Pompeii – Province of Naples, Italy
The active volcano looms over Pompeii
The volcanic ghost-town of Pompeii needs no introduction. Since the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79, and up until its excavation in 1748, the city’s monuments and 2,000 victims remained covered by a thick carpet of volcanic ash. Your visit could start at the Basilica, the city center’s most important public building, or perhaps you’ll prefer posing like a gladiator in the 20,000 seater amphitheater. The inevitable sight during your visit is the “Garden of Fugitives” with its unfortunate casts of fossilized bodies on display, but life wasn’t always grim – see for yourself the frescoes of a colorful celebration decorating the recently restored walls of Villa dei Misteri.
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (The Terracotta Army) – Xi An, China
Where’s Wally takes a whole new dimension with the Terracotta Army
The year is 210BC – Emperor Qin Shi Huang, founder of the first unified empire in China, is buried in a grave mound of 56 square kilometers; Flash forward to 1974 – workers dig at the foot of Mount Li and discover what will amount to a collection of 2,000 unique terracotta soldier figures, each standing at a life size of 1.80 meters. Supposedly, several thousand more soldiers are still to be uncovered.
At the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor you’ll be witness to an ongoing excavation over the past decades, and one day perhaps be able to see the central tomb revealed (for the moment left untouched for its protection and because it is said to be surrounded by a moat of lethal mercury). Favour the spring and autumn seasons to avoid being part of an army of tourists yourself and roam around the site with an audio guide to get the whole story.
Moai de Rapa Nui – Easter Island, Chile
“Say cheese!” with the Moai of Easter Island
Get away from everything (literally), by catching the next flight to Rapa Nui (aka Easter Island), the most remote inhabited island on the planet. It will just be you, less than 6,000 local inhabitants, oh, and 900 giant Moai statues carved out of lava tuff. Measure yourself to the statues of ancestors ranging from 2 meters to 20 meters scattered around the green hills of the Chilean island, or join the 15 obediently standing in a line at Ahu Tongariki.
Catch a flight to Rapa Nui from Santiago, Chile daily or Papeete, Tahiti weekly.
Find a flight to Easter Island
