Traveling is one thing that most of us love to do. It gives us the opportunity to explore other places, discover new things, and learn more about other people’s culture and history. While it is common for everyone to search for the cheapest airfare, looking for historical sites our place of destination has to offer, contributes a great deal when it comes to planning a holiday vacation.
It is very usual that before buying our air ticket online, we make sure that we won’t just have an enjoyable experience from our trip but it will also enrich our knowledge about the country’s history, people, and culture. Here are the top historical sites commonly visited by tourists around the globe:
Egypt
Photo by Spencer Davis
With numerous attractive travel deals on the internet offering cheap airfares and accommodation, exploring the historical sites of Egypt such as the Great Pyramid and Sphinx of Giza has become more affordable. Be amazed at the stunning beauty of the oldest Seven Wonders of the World as you learn more about the ancient civilization’s pharaohs and kings, culture, and history. Other must-see places are Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Luxor, and Karnak.
Rome
Photo by Ben Lee
Sometimes buying air tickets online is cheaper from online travel companies than going to the direct website of airline companies, especially when travel companies are having promotions. Thus visiting Rome might no longer be too expensive for those who desire to see those magnificent and iconic buildings of Ancient Roman, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Get up close with the ancient ruins of the Coliseum, Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Arch of Constantine, and Fontana de Trevi and discover for yourselves why they are famous all over the world.
Petra
Photo by Emile Guillemot
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, this famous “rock cut” architecture in Jordan will be worth every effort in searching for the cheapest air ticket. Petra is a “rock-carved rose-red city” built by industrious Arab people called Nabataeans who settled in the southern part of Jordan around 100 B.C. This world’s wonder is known for its majestic and incomparable scenic spots that enchant tourists of all races.
Taj Mahal
Photo by Sylwia Bartyzel
For most tourists, the main reason for joining India tours is to see one of the most stunning monuments in the world famous not only for its beauty but for its romantic story as well. Known to many as “a symbol of everlasting love”, the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful structure built by Mughals or Muslim rulers in India. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. Nearby tourist attractions such as Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s Tomb, Agra Fort, Temples of Vrindavan, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, and Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary will definitely complete the India experience.
The Parthenon
Photo by Francesca Noemi Marconi
A trip to Greece won’t be complete without setting foot on the ruins of the Parthenon. This historically rich structure was built by Pericles in the mid-5th century B.C. to serve as a temple for the Greek Goddess Athena whom people of Athens regard as their virgin patron. Parthenon symbolizes not only the highest point of Greek Art but as a symbol of Athenian Democracy as well.
Machu Picchu
Photo by Ayesha Parikh
Often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. It is considered highly significant as a relatively intact cultural site because the site was never known to the Spanish during their conquest. After the discovery of American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has become a famous tourist destination.
Angkor Wat
Photo by Silver Ringvee
In recent years travel destinations in Asia are becoming more and more popular to tourists not only because of their beauty and historical value but also because of several travel deals to different countries in Asia offering cheap airfares and discounted hotel accommodations. One of the places that are attracting lots of tourists is this ancient temple featuring top classical style Khmer architecture located in Angkor, Cambodia known as Angkor Wat. This temple was built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his temple and capital city. Angkor Wat is admired by many because of the grandeur and harmony displayed in its architectural design, extensive bas-reliefs, and numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.
Although books and the Internet can provide us the essential facts about these ancient wonders of the world, seeing them up close will give us an experience of a lifetime that we can only get from traveling.