Suppose you’ve argued whether Lara Croft or Indiana Jones is the best movie archaeologist. In that case, you might wonder if there’s a way to experience those great adventures in real life. The world is full of amazing destinations rich in history, culture, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. From Roman ruins to the Pyramids of Giza, archaeologists experience the very best of far-off destinations. Here are five places you can visit to live out your archeologist fantasy.
1. Italy and Greece
Ancient Greek and Roman history overlap in many ways, and both have served as the foundation for much of European and North American fine art and popular culture. But watching the movie Gladiator doesn’t quite live up to a trip to the real Coliseum in Rome.
Fortunately, Italy and Greece are easily accessible places for tourists and history buffs, and you’ll find many amenities and tours for your travels. The hardest part about your journey will be narrowing down the places you want to see. One easy way to set aside the stress of planning a trip is to book a Mediterranean cruise that will take you to key destinations in both countries.
2. Cambodia
Did you know there’s a place where you can follow Lara Croft’s footsteps? Well, at least you can visit one of Angelina Jolie’s favorite places in the world and see the ancient temple where they filmed parts of her movie.
Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia and the home of the once-flourishing Angkor Empire. The Angkor temple complex outside of Siem Reap is the largest single religious site in the world. From the temple ruins, you can walk inside to see ancient art carved into a riverbed. Cambodia’s historic temples have a lot to offer.
The Angkor temple complex is often crowded, especially during the high tourist season. Still, you can escape the crowd by purchasing a three-day pass and including the more distant locations in your itinerary, such as Kulen Mountain, Banteay Srei Temple, and the River of a Thousand Linga.
3. Mexico
If your experience with Mexican culture and history stops at Taco Tuesday, you’re missing out. Central America is a treasure trove of ancient culture and historic sites. Pre-Columbian civilizations ruled the region and left awe-inspiring landmarks behind, and their descendants carry on the traditions of language, food, and culture to this day. Some of the must-see destinations in Mexico for archaeology lovers include:
- Chichén Itzá, where you can see Mayan ruins and step pyramids.
- El Tajín, where you can find monuments built by the Aztecs.
- Palenque, where you can explore 7th-century Mayan buildings.
- Teotihuacan, where you can walk among holy Aztec monuments.
4. Peru
While you’re near South America, you should hop over to Peru to continue checking off places on your archaeologist bucket list. The powerful and expansive Inca Empire extended throughout Peru in the 15th and 16th centuries, and they left behind beautiful and impressive monuments and temples, including the famous Machu Pichu. But there’s, even more to see if you have time.
After getting your fill of ceviche on the coast, you can head towards the Amazon and see archaeological sites from cultures that predate the Incas for hundreds of years. Still shrouded in mystery, these sites reveal just how much history remains for us to marvel at.
5. Egypt
You might think that Egypt is an overblown travel destination for archaeology lovers. However, today’s researchers are still finding new tombs and artifacts after all these years. It makes Egypt a must-see addition to your list of destinations. With fantastic museums to explore and the local culture to enjoy, Egypt will not disappoint.
Ancient history may be in the past, but your upcoming adventures are waiting for you in the present. By visiting some of the unique places in the world, you can see beautiful and haunting monuments that will surely leave an impression for a lifetime.
