INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
In the centre of Athens, just southeast of the Acropolis, stands the ruined Temple of Olympian Zeus. In 1515 BC, Athenian tyrant Peisistratos laid the foundation for what he envisioned being the greatest temple in the world. Unfortunately, construction was abandoned five years later when Peisistratos’ son, Hippias, was overthrown in 510 BC. Over the years,...
Epidaurus was once celebrated as a place of miraculous healing, but these days visitors don’t come seeking a cure for what ails them, they flock to see the remarkable ancient Greek theatre. It’s hard not to let your mouth fall open when the theatre at Epidaurus first comes into view. I remember being shocked at...
One of my favourite days in Rome was the day I visited Palatine Hill. As I walked around this beautiful hill, past gardens and remnants of opulent palaces, I imagined how luxurious it must have been when it was ancient Rome’s most exclusive neighbourhood. History of Palatine Hill As Rome’s most central hill, the Palatine...
As we made our way over to the dirt covered track in Ancient Olympia, my heart started to beat a little faster. Could I do this? Was I ready? Or would I be left behind in the dust? The Greek sun mercilessly beating down on me, I started to feel flush as I stepped up...
Nestled between the rugged peak of Mount Parnassus and a spectacular valley of cypress and olive trees is Delphi, regarded by ancient Greeks as the most sacred site in the world. About Ancient Delphi- History and Mythology Delphi is said to have been founded by Zeus, who determined it to be the centre of the...
One of my favourite archaeological sites in Italy is the Roman port town of Ostia Antica. You may not have even heard of it because it’s often overlooked by visitors to Rome, as evidenced by the lack of crowds. I know Rome has so much to see, but Ancient Ostia is only 45 minutes out...
The Temple of Hephaestus is the best preserved Doric temple in Greece. It was built on the western edge of the Ancient Agora in honour of God of the Forge, Hephaestus. The temple has 34 columns, a frieze depicting nine of the Twelve Labours of Heracles and was once surrounded by foundries and metalwork shops....
In a race against the clock, we each hopped on a bicycle and pedalled as quickly as we could down the dirt road leading us into Coba’s ancient jungle. Tires flicking up dirt, handle bars creaking and rattling, pedals spinning as fast as our legs could turn them, we laughed loudly all the way to...
The Pantheon was first built in 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa (whose father-in-law was Augustus). The temple was rebuilt around AD 120 by Emperor Hadrian but Agrippa’s name was left inscribed over the entrance. The Pantheon is famous for its extraordinary dome, the largest masonry vault ever built. It’s considered the most important achievement of...
From almost any point within Athens you can see the Acropolis standing high above the city, a monumental beauty built in homage to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. When I arrived in Athens, I could not wait to visit the Acropolis, one of the most famous ancient Greek sites. Walking towards it and getting my...
It was a scorcher of a day. 45 degrees Celsius, not a cloud in the sky, and I was off to visit one of the largest open-air archaeological museums in the world- Ancient Ephesus. The weather conditions weren’t ideal for visiting a place where shade was non-existent, but with only one day in port at...
Chichén Itzá is Mexico’s most famous, and most visited, ancient Mayan sites. The spectacular focal point of this pre-Columbian/pre-Hispanic era city, is the Temple of Kukulkan, more commonly known as El Castillo. El Castillo has 365 steps, one for each day of the year. There are 91 steps on each side and the top platform makes...
Nestled in a valley between Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Roman Forum still impresses, just as it must have centuries ago when it was the centre of Roman public life. During my tour of the Roman Forum, I was engrossed in its rich history and fascinated by the remaining structures. Walking along the ancient streets,...
The Sanctuary of Athena was a temple built at the gateway to Ancient Delphi honouring the goddess of Athena. The full name for the site is the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (pronaia meaning “the one before the temple”) and it served to welcome visitors who came to Delphi from the east. The sanctuary consisted of...
If you have an interest in Greek mythology and archaeology, then the ruins of Knossos Palace make for an interesting stop during a visit to the island of Crete. As the capital of the Minoan civilization on Crete, Knossos is associated with many great stories in Greek Mythology. According to legend, it was here that...
One of the biggest challenges of visiting Rome is dealing with the crowds of tourists. Everyone wants to see the most famous sites and I am no different. I’ve travelled thousands of miles to Italy, of course I am going to go see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, and Vatican. These places are popular...
In a city full of ancient ruins, no other structure in Rome is as iconic as the Colosseum. The Colosseum has been regarded as a symbol of Rome since the Middle Ages. The significance of the Colosseum was reflected in Bede’s writing when he wrote in 7th century, “As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome shall...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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