Turns out, you don’t have to be Indiana Jones to explore a piece of history. In fact, there are tons of amazing historical sites that you can (and should!) Visit today, tomorrow, or very soon. Below are my favorite historic places that I think every traveler should try to visit at some point. The story these ruins tell is part of human history. They require a deep understanding of our history, our power, our commonalities and our shared experiences. They show us how we have developed as a species. Don’t miss them!
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The Pyramids of Giza
They are over 3,000 years old, and we still don’t have a concrete idea of how they were constructed or how the Egyptians made them so accurate (were aliens involved?). The three pyramids line up with the stars and solstices and contain tons of chambers that haven’t yet been (and cannot be) opened. I mean, how did they create these little rooms that people can’t even crawl into? The largest, called the Great Pyramid, was built by Pharaoh Khufu and had limited access. The Pyramids are truly a marvel of human engineering that was Perfect for kings. (You’ll also find the Sphinx nearby, another historic site whose mysteries baffle researchers and are the subject of many conspiracy theories.
Machu Picchu
Located in southern Peru, this ruined city sits atop a mountain that’s only accessible by train or a four-day trek. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, it was an important cultural center for the Inca cultivation but was abandoned when the Spaniards invaded the region. (It is known as the “Lost City of the Incas”, although it is Vilcabamba). The site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Concerns over the growing number of tourists have led to limiting the number of people who can enter. On the site, even if it is only a fraction of what is needed. Hopefully, they will restrict it even more so this site can last for hundreds of years longer.
Angkor Wat
This ancient city in Cambodia was the center of the Khmer Empire that once governed the best of Southeast Asia. This empire fell into decline, but not before it had constructed amazing temples and buildings taken over by the jungle for hundreds of years. Although Angkor Wat is full of tourists, it is still breathtaking to see. And the temple regions to the north and south see far fewer tourists than the main group of temples. (Although it is admitted that some of them are nothing more than piles of stone rubble. The most popular temples are Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, and Angkor Thom, and they always get crowds. To truly experience the temples, you will need to purchase a three or five-day pass. The best time to visit is early in the morning before large groups arrive and stay late after they leave.
Tikal
This Mayan city-state is one of the largest and best-preserved ruins of this civilization and was a dominant force in the Mayan world during the Classical Period (AD 200-900). Located in Guatemala, this place permits you to experience your inner Indiana Jones early in the morning or late at night when the tourists come home, and it’s just you and the jungle. It’s very serene, and it’s one of the best travel memories I have. Make sure you spend the night in the park because you can see it without the crowds. I especially liked seeing the sunrise from the top of the temples.
Stonehenge
Located near Salisbury, this megalithic structure is over 3,000 years old, and its stones come from Wales. Scholars still don’t know how the builders got the rocks and tried to replicate the feat, with dismal results. Also, we only have a vague idea of its purpose (we’re just guessing). Stonehenge is now closed, and you can no longer enter the circle; visitors can only bypass the attraction. But it’s worth a visit to the mystery behind it and an excellent and detailed audio tour.
DigiTexture 