Which are your favourite historical countries / cities to visit for a holiday?

Question

I'm sorting out my holidays with my other half. After recently visiting Rome I would love to start visiting places with similar historical interest and enjoyment factor. This could be either other places in Italy or any other country.
Rather than wondering round or surfing aimlessly, can you help suggest something based on your own experiences? There's only so many places I can go in my lifetime. Thanks.

Answer 1

You sound like the kind of person that wants to view as much of the world as possible that is why i recommend Egypt..... Firstly you will be made very welcome by the most friendliest, hospitable, accommodating people around!
I recommend a Nile Cruise, book into a hotel in Cairo for 2-3 days in order that you can visit the Pyramids(One of the Seven Wonders of the World) The Egyptian museum where you can view the burial treasures of Tutankhamen & another must is a visit the sound & light show in the evening.
Travel to luxor where you can visit the Karnak Temples, Temple of Ramsis, Valley of the Kings & Queen s etc., etc.,. Set sail here through to Aswan, This is by far the best way to view as much as possible, especially as there is so much to see & so many places to visit in this wonderful Country that is steeped in history & is still the cradle of civilisation!
Never a dull moment, everyday you will be taking in something historical & serile...... & if you only visit once you will certainly boast about the holiday of a lifetime for years to come...... a cam-corder is a must!!

Answer 2

Lisbon!!
Went there with my sister and mother, personally I went along but not thinking it would be a holiday of a lifetime. I had the most wonderful time ever. We had some public transport tickets you could use all day to anywhere for 3 days. We indeed went everywhere (by tube) and saw so much. Its so beautiful there. Lovely squares, historical buildings and churches, great small dining places (go to the ones where the locals eat), there are quite some streets with mainly restaurants, great shopping from local old fashion shops to modern.
Must see to my opinion are : the Baixa (city centre), Commerce and Rossio Square, Belem tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Castle of Sao Jorge (on top of the highest hill, so beautiful views!! bit of a climb thru old town lisbon up there but so worth it!!) and so much more, but with walking around you will see so much. There really is too much to see to write down!!!
Below a link about lisbon, its worth reading so if you decide to go you can have a little plan of what you all want to see. I also think its worth getting a reasonable city guide, so you can look things up etc.
I am deffenatly going back myself some day.

Answer 3

Well done on Rome, that would be my first suggestion, but you might also like to look in at Firenze and Siena where I am sure that your culture overload will be triggered. Do remember to book a tour of the Uffizie in Firenze, and enjoy the beauty of the lovely cathedral in Siena, and its marble floor (admittedly, much of it under cover!). Do make sure you go into the Borrelimo library inside the cathedral, as the frescoes are quite remarkable and have never been retouched since they were plastered. We went back to Siena just to take another look at this feature: so make sure you buy the illustrated guide book when you are there, if you like what you see!The cathedral in Siena is very fine and the old part of the steeply sloping town is well preserved.

There is much to see in Italy, but those suggestions would be my worth taking on to start wiith.

Well, I do know that Venezia is THE place to tour, but I really think that it is such a tourist trap that it can take a rather lower place in your itinerary.

It has been said (by Goethe, I think) that to tour Italy and not to visit Sicily, is not to tour Italy at all, so maybe that can go on your list, as well.

Answer 4

Lisbon is Europe's second-oldest capital and once home to the world's greatest explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator, becoming the initial correct earth town, the capital of an empire scattering over all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India) and know you are able to invest a couple of day to understand that historic city, with hotelbye is where you should start. The absolute most acknowledged of Lisbon's major attractions may be the St. George's Castle. That castle orders a fantastic place near Alfama on the crown of a hill overlooking the Portuguese capital. This really is one of Lisbon's most widely used tourist destinations. Their remarkable battlements, interesting museum, and amazing archaeological website mix to make the castle a rewarding knowledge for all the family, and kids especially will like clambering within the sturdy walls and towers that encircle the grounds.

Answer 5

I am Italian, I lived abroad for many years and now I am enjoying some time back in my hometown.
When I was away I missed my country so much that I started a site about my region, Le Marche.
Le Marche is loaded with historic towns, has lovely beaches and natural parks and enough events to keep you entertained for years.
Have a look at my site and come to visit Le Marche.
See you soon!

Answer 6

Come to Antalya in Turkey. The whole south coast is full of historical interest, home to Alexander the Great, the Roman Emperor Hadrian, it's mentioned in the Bible dozens of times and it was even the birthplace of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus).

Look on the internet for holidays in Antalya, or Kekova, Phaselis, Side, Patara, Aspendos, the list goes on. We are currently enjoying 46 celsius heat and the beaches are full of people from all over the world. Come to Antalya and then take one of the hundreds of tours along the coast.

Answer 7

History and Culture

Archaeological finds indicate that Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. The Lake itself is over three million years old. Ohrid town is first mentioned in Greek documents from 353 B.C, when it was known as Lychnidos or “the city of light.” Only much later in 879 A.D, was it renamed Ohrid. The name probably derives from the Macedonian phrase “Vo Hrid” – roughly meaning “the town on the hill.” Apart from its ancient theater (which is still in use today), the ancient Lychnidos boasted a classical agora, gymnasium, civil basilicas and temples to the Gods of Greek Antiquity. When under Roman rule it developed more of the typical Roman architectural traits, and became an important transit point on the Via Egnatia trade route that bisected the Balkans. The town as we know it today was built mostly between the 7th and the 19th century. During the Byzantine period, Ohrid became a significant cultural and economic center serving as an Episcopal center of the Orthodox Church and as the site of the first Slavic university run by St. Clement and St. Naum at the end of the 9th century. At the beginning of the 11th century, Ohrid briefly became the capital of Macedonia’s greatest medieval ruler, Samuel, whose fortress still presides over the city today. During Ottoman times Ohrid remained the seat of the autocephalous Ohrid archiepiscopacy until 1726. During its Byzantine apogee, the town was renowned for its 365 churches and monasteries. These and a large number of sacral edifices have been preserved and make up a large part of Ohrid’s rich medieval past. Today, one of the city’s museums has a collection of more than 800 Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, most of which were painted between 11th and 14th century. Art historians consider this collection as one of the most important in the world, along with those of the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow and Mt. Athos in Greece.

Answer 8

There's an awful lot of history in Jerusalem, and all the biblical places are near eg Bethlehem. I went there and could have spent alot longer, so many churches and the original manger, and of course the wailing wall, all worth a visit. Hope you decide to go, its an awe inspiring experience.

Answer 9

I went to Williamsburg, VA last year. We hit up all the historic tours and I believe this year is the 400 year anniversary of the Settlement at Jamestown. Lots of history there. And pretty inexpensive too. There's even a few amusement parks close by.

Answer 10

Been all over Alaska, B.C. the US and Mexico, have traveled over a lot of Asia and China but moved to Saigon Vietnam. It has the warm south China sea within 3hrs bus ride. In Hanoi you can go to Sapa and see the Montayards, they walk up and down these hills like goats, this is like the Swiss Alps. Found the Philippines a bit on the dangerous side albeit beautiful.