One of the great joys of travelling is getting to stand in the footsteps of those who’ve come before us. We visit historic buildings that were inhabited by famous people. We marvel at the creations of ancient civilizations, we marvel at the creations of those who lived just a hundred years before. If you’ve got a passion for history (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?) then you’ll want to keep reading. From iconic temples to epic fortresses, these are our hand picked locations that offer a unique way to dive into the stories and legends of the past.
The Colosseum, Italy
Let’s start things off with a heavy hitter – the Colosseum in Rome. There’s no other place quite says ‘history’ like this epic arena of sand and stone. To this day you can enter and stand in the vast ring where the gladiators once fought. Looking up at the seating above, you can imagine Roman emperors watching the play of life and death. It’s worth queueing up to get a ticket for the inside, but it’s also worth walking around the perimeter.
It’s fascinating to see how this historic building fits into the modern Roman surroundings. From street vendors touting their wares to tourists sipping wine in roadside cafe’s, the contrast between ancient history and modern day life is stark. This building has inspired many a Hollywood film, not least Gladiator. If you’re catching a plane over, it’s a good one to watch on the way. Experiencing the raw drama and grit as Maximum battles for his honour sets you up for the grandeur and terror of this place.
The Great Wall of China
Stretching thousands of miles, the Great Wall is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and resilience. Built over centuries to keep invaders at bay, it’s a symbol of China’s enduring strength. Climbing the Wall yourself, you’ll get a sense of just how monumental the task of defending an empire was – echoes of the warriors and strategists who shaped its history. It’s one of very few monuments that can be seen from space, giving you a good idea of the scale of this undertaking. At over 5,000 miles long, it would take a relatively fit traveller around 18 months to walk the entire length – imagine building it!
The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The history of Ancient Egypt has inspired people from all walks of life. Game developers have used treasures from Egyptian tombs to inspire their own creations. One popular slot game, Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, invites players on a quest to an ancient Egyptian tomb to see what treasures they can get their hands on. The most fascinating bit? It’s all rooted in truth. The Pyramids of Giza are more than just tombs; they’re windows into a civilization that has captivated us for millennia.
Built for pharaohs, these giant structures still hold mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Already we’ve uncovered countless treasures from times gone by. Perhaps it is the secrets that they hold that inspire us, but on a more surface level, the structures themselves are staggering. Imagining building something so precise – and so very huge – in the burning Egyptian sun is a reminder of our determination as a species.
Stonehenge, England
Built thousands of years ago, these massive stones have long sparked questions – why were they arranged this way, and by whom? The novel The Stonehenge Legacy delves into a modern thriller involving the monument’s mysteries, and makes a great page turner to read on your way to visiting the monument. Standing among Stonehenge’s stones, you might feel a bit like a detective in one of these stories, piecing together the clues of a prehistoric world lost to time. Megaliths like this one have a way of stirring up prehistoric feelings in ourselves, perhaps your ancestors stood here once too.
Petra, Jordan
Petra is a city carved into cliffs, a marvel of architecture and human ingenuity. Known as the Rose City for its pink sandstone, Petra’s intricate facades make it a perfect backdrop for adventure. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit as a solo traveller, then this is an ideal choice. It’s steeped in history, but beautiful even if you know absolutely nothing about it. For those who would like a bit of background, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a good watch. This film set some of its most famous scenes here, with Indy’s quest for the Holy Grail leading him through Petra’s hidden caverns. Walking through Petra’s narrow Siq and seeing the Treasury emerge before you feels like stepping into a scene from the movie.
