1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is definitely one of the top destinations for history buffs. Hidden in the midst of a jungle on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountain range, the location is home to an amazing array of ancient remains that date back to the extinct Inca civilization. Know as the Lost City, Machu Picchu was built in 1462 and was abandoned a century later. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it takes a four-day hike to arrive at the remains!
2. Petra, Jordan
Known as the Red Rose City and filled with awe inspiring structures carved out of sandstone, Petra was once a busy hub of trade including spices and silk that has connections with India, China, Egypt and Greece. Today it is regarded as an historical treasure and receives up to thousands of visitors every day. The city’s monastery, treasury and theatre are among its most popular sites.
3. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
This ancient city in the heart of Cambodia was once the centre of the mighty Khmer Empire that ruled South East Asia. As the empire began to fade, they left behind this array of magnificent buildings and temples, and Angkor Wat was eventually reclaimed by the jungle and remained undiscovered all the way up until the 1860s. Travelers can visit the stunning temples and wind their way through the incredibly maze of Preah Kan.
4. Chichen Itza, Mexico
This amazing destination is hidden deep in the jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the preserved ruins give you an insight in to one of the largest cities of the Mayan civilization. The site is filled with amazing ceremonial structures like pyramids, palaces and temples, with the Temple Of The Warriors being one of the most amazing ancient ruins you are ever likely to see.
5. Khajuraho, India
This temple town in the north of India is home to one of the largest groups of medieval Jain and Hindu temples in the world. Presenting stunning feats of medieval architecture, there are 20 remaining temples from what were originally a staggering group of 85. Richly decorated both inside and out with an array of intricate carved sculptures, the temples present a eulogy to love and life, creating an interesting link with the home country of the Karma Sutra!
6. Giza Plateau, Egypt
Nestled on the west bank of the iconic River Nile, the Giza Plateau boasts many of the most amazing and impressive relics and ruins of the ancient world. Structures like the Great Pyramid, the Great Sphinx and numerous other large temples cannot truly be appreciated until you have seen them in person. It is almost unbelievable to think that these buildings and monuments were constructed in a time before modern tools and vehicles!
7. Acropolis of Athens, Greece
The acropolis is undoubtedly one of the defining images of ancient civilization that we have in modern times. One of the lasting symbols of the Ancient Greeks, the flat-topped rock sitting 150 meters above sea level is an absolute masterpiece of architecture, with the Parthenon, dedicated to Greek goddess Athena, perhaps being the most stunning structure of all.
