logo The Top 15 Historical Sites in the World BY NOMADICMATT Parthenon in Athens, Greece The world is filled with mind-blowing to things to see, both natural and man-made. There are so many breathtaking and incredible historical sites built by ancient civilizations, it’s sometimes hard to narrow down which are the best. Think of all the lists of historical wonders out there and how different they are sometimes. Everyone has their own, including me. Below are my favorite historical sites that I think every traveler should try to visit at some point (or don’t. That’s up to you but I think you should). The story these ruins tell is part of humanity’s story, and that is why I love them the best. Machu Picchu Machu Picchu, Peru, UNESCO, Incan civilization Located in southern Peru, this ruined city lies on top of a mountain that’s only accessible by train or a four-day trek. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, it was an important cultural center for the Inca civilization but was abandoned when the Spanish invaded the region. (It is famously referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas,” though that is actually Vilcabamba). The location was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, and it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Concerns over growing numbers of tourists have led to limitations on how many people can enter the site, though only by a fraction of what is necessary. Hopefully they will limit it even more so this site can last for hundreds of years more. For more travel tips on Peru, check out this detailed planning guide. Tikal This Mayan city-state is one of the largest and best-preserved ruins of that civilization, and was a dominant force in the Mayan world during the Classic Period (200-900 AD). Located in Guatemala, this place lets you experience your inner Indiana Jones early in the morning or late at night when the tourists go home and it’s just you and the jungle. It is very serene, and that made for one of the best travel memories I have. Be sure to spend the night in the park, as you then really get to see it without the crowds. I particularly enjoyed seeing the sunrise from atop the temples. (Random trivia: The city at the end of Star Wars: A New Hope? Tikal!) For more travel tips on Guatemala, check out this detailed planning guide. The Pyramids at Giza They’re over 3,000 years old, and we still don’t have a good idea as to how they were built or how the Egyptians made them so precise (were aliens involved?). The three pyramids align to the stars and the solstices and contain tons of chambers that still haven’t been (and cannot be) opened. I mean, how did they create those little chambers where people can’t even crawl through? The largest one, called the Great Pyramid, was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and has limited access to it. The Pyramids are truly a marvel of human engineering that was fit for kings. (You will also find the Sphinx nearby, another historical site whose mysteries baffle researchers and are the subject of many conspiracy theories.) Angkor Wat This ancient city in Cambodia was the center of the Khmer Empire that once ruled most of Southeast Asia. This empire fell into decline, but not before building amazing temples and buildings that were later reclaimed by the jungle for hundreds of years. Though Angkor Wat is packed with tourists, it’s still breathtaking to see. And the temple regions to the north and south see far fewer tourists than the main temple grouping. (Though admittedly, some of them are simply piles of stone rubble now.) The most popular temples are Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, and Angkor Thom, and they always have crowds. In order to really experience the temples, you’ll need to purchase the three- or five-day pass. The best time to visit is early in the morning before the big tour groups arrive and stay late after they have gone. For more travel tips on Angkor Wat, check out this detailed planning guide. Petra Carved into a canyon in Arabah, Jordan, Petra was made famous by the third Indiana Jones film when he went to find the Holy Grail. The site was “discovered” in 1812 by a Swiss explorer who followed some local tribesmen there; prior to that, it had been forgotten to the Western world. Though its founding is unknown, it appears this place had settlers as early as the 6th century BC. Under Roman rule, the site declined rapidly and was abandoned by the late 4th century. In 1985, Petra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Stonehenge Located near Salisbury, England, this megalithic structure is over 3,000 years old, and its stones come all the way from Wales. Scholars still are not sure how the builders got the stones there and have tried to replicate the feat, with dismal results. Moreover, we only have a vague idea to its purpose (we’re basically just guessing). Stonehenge is now fenced off, and you can no longer go into the circle; visitors can only walk around the attraction. But it’s worth visiting for the mystery behind it and an excellent and detailed audio tour. For more travel tips on England, check out this detailed planning guide. The Colosseum and Forum The Colosseum and the Forum are right next to each other in Rome, so I included them together. Remnants of a civilization that once controlled the known world, these sites are breathtaking not only for their beauty but also for their history and age. You’re standing in the spot Caesar walked and gazing into the arena where gladiators battled to the death. The Colosseum has slowly crumbled throughout the ages, and much of it is restricted now, especially the floor and basement where everything was organized. The Forum is great to walk around (and it’s free), though a ticket is required for Palatine Hill. I would definitely get a guided tour, because the information presented by the authorities doesn’t go into much depth. For more travel tips on Rome, check out this detailed planning guide. The Parthenon Though it’s currently (and seemingly has been forever) getting a face-lift, the Parthenon is still astounding and breathtaking. This ancient temple to Athena stands as a symbol of the power of Athens and a testament to Greek civilization. Moreover, it provides a sweeping view of Athens and nearby ruins, whose temples and buildings are equally as wondrous. Over the centuries, much of it and the surrounding structures have been destroyed by war and thieves. Luckily, the structure still stands… at least for now. Note that there is scaffolding along the right side of the structure; considering it has been there for over five years, I doubt it is going anywhere anytime soon. They do things slowly in Greece. For more travel tips on Athens, check out this detailed planning guide. Easter Island Located out in the Pacific Ocean, Easter Island, a special territory of Chile, is home to Moai statues that are the only thing left of a culture that once lived here. These gigantic and impressively carved heads are just another reminder that primitive people were not really all that primitive. The stones that attract visitors to this island are made out of volcanic ash; many still remain in the quarry, left behind by the inhabitants as diminishing resources on the island left their tribes doomed to wars that finally killed them off. For more travel tips on Chile, check out this detailed planning guide. Taj Mahal Built in the 1600s, this building in Agra, India, is a testament to undying love. This white marble tomb built for Emperor Shah Jahan’s deceased wife is a must-see for everyone. In 1983, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, and also has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj sees between two and four million tourists annually, so there have been recent restrictions on tourism in an effort to help protect the site. However, the greatest threat is the air pollution that is destroying the marble. The Alhambra The Alhambra is Granada’s — and Europe’s — love letter to Moorish culture, a place where fountains trickle, leaves rustle, and ancient spirits seem to mysteriously linger. Part palace, part fort, part World Heritage site, part lesson in medieval architecture, the Alhambra has long enchanted a never-ending line of expectant visitors. During the Napoleonic occupation, the Alhambra was used as a barracks and nearly blown up. What you see today has been heavily but respectfully restored. This is a beautiful site with so many various gardens and builings, and its view of the historic area of Granada is second to none. For more travel tips on Granada, check out this detailed planning guide. The Great Wall of China The Great Wall of China actually consists of numerous walls and fortifications. It was originally conceived by Emperor Qin Shi Huang (ca. 259–210 BC) in the third century BC as a means of keeping out the Mongol hordes invading the country. The best-known and best-preserved section of the Great Wall was built in the 14th through 17th centuries, during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Though the Great Wall never effectively prevented invaders from entering China, it’s still a massive engineering and construction feat and human accomplishment. For more travel tips on China, check out this detailed planning guide. Chichén Itzá Chichén Itzá, meaning “at the mouth of the well of Itzá,” is the second most visited archeological site in Mexico and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It’s one of the most important Mayan historical structures in the Americas and has been restored greatly in the last few years. For more travel tips on Mexico, check out this detailed planning guide. Volubilis A major trading center and the southernmost settlement during Roman times, Volubilis in Morocco is one of the best preserved (and least frequented) ruins of its kind in the world. I found it empty of tourists, not built up, and open in a way that really lets you get up close and see the structures without being behind ten feet of barriers and jostled by crowds. Most of the city is still unexcavated, so the site has a very raw feel to it. I’ve been to a lot of Roman ruins in my travels, but I love this one the best. It’s a lovely day trip away from the crowds and noise of Fez. Entrance is 20 MAD (Moroccan dirhams), or about $5 USD. For more travel tips on Morocco, check out this detailed planning guide. Sukhothai Located in a beautiful in north-central Thailand, Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand for a couple hundred years. This is site is often overlooked by travelers, as few stop there on the way to Chiang Mai. The central area contains 21 temples enclosed by a moat. Its many temples showcase the unique Sukhothai style of decoration, which incorporates Khmer (Cambodian) and Sri Lankan influences. It’s a huge, huge site and takes a good day or two to see. Most of it is exposed to the sun, so bring sunscreen or you’ll get massively sunburned. For more travel tips on Thailand, check out this detailed planning guide. The world has many amazing historical sites, and even if you don’t make it to these, there are plenty more out there worth seeing. The more you know about the past, the more you can understand why people act the way they do in the present. Looking for more places to travel? Check out my in-depth planning guides to over 60 countries and go somewhere great today! Photo Credits: 2, 3 Related Post My (Current) Ultimate List of Travel Movies My 7 Favorite Travel Blogs of 2015 All Rights Reserved logo BUDGET TRAVEL FLY CHEAP DRIVE CHEAP SLEEP CHEAP MONEY, HEALTH & SAFETY PACKING SAVE UP FOR TRAVEL FROM HOME DESTINATIONS JAPAN CHINA KOREA THAILAND CANADA FRANCE SOUTH AMERICA UNITED STATES WORK & TRAVEL GET INSPIRED GET INSPIRED OUR ADVENTURE TRENDING HOW TO SELL EVERYTHING YOU OWN & TRAVEL THE WORLD JEN AVERYSEPTEMBER 17, 2014 Though the very thought of what I’ve done would have shocked my former self years ago, I now take pride in having sold all of our possessions. It’s liberating knowing there’s nothing collecting dust in a locked-up storage bin, or piles of useless items to sort through in my parents basement. It’s all gone, save for the possessions in our 28-litre backpacks. But what if you don’t want to let it all go? No problem! This post will help you effectively de-clutter and sell your stuff, even if only some of it. After all, every dollar earned is another dollar towards a flight, a bus ride, a hotel – one dollar closer to your next adventure! Jasper Wouldn’t you rather be here anyway? Our experience Twice now we have sold all of our possessions with the objective of getting the money back in the bank, ridding ourselves of crap, and inflating our travel savings. Everything described here is from our own experiences. The first time we sold everything we owned in 2012 (and I truly mean every single last thing!), we made $6,500.00 total in cash sales. We earned an additional $5,500.00 selling our car. That’s a grand total of $12,000 from two people living in a two-bedroom apartment over three years! The second time we sold all our belongings (2014), we made approximately $1,000 after minimalist living in a one-bedroom apartment for a year in Australia. In that time, our possessions had all been either given to us for free or bought used. We pretty much broke even or made slightly more than what was spent acquiring those items. Cumulatively, that’s a grand total of $13,000.00 and let me tell you, for any savvy traveller, that money will take you far. IMG_2186 IMG_2253 IMG_2440 IMG_2505 IMG_4241 The cleansing process from our condo in Toronto. Selling all of your life’s possessions is not easy. I’ll be the first to say it’s anything but! This guide concisely lays out the steps to selling everything – or at least some things – to maximise profit and minimise the stuff that is holding you back from adventure. “But here’s the thing–no matter how many possessions you have, you never feel secure. As soon as you get one thing, there is always something else you “need”.” ― Karen Kingston, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui Step 1: Detach from your attachments The utmost important step of selling items is not the actual selling, but your commitment to passing it on. And remember – that’s all it ever is. Not dumping, not getting rid of, not wasting – you’re passing something on. In an era where we senselessly burn through resources in the name of consumerism, passing things on is a good way to make money and help the environment. Our car filled with the final stuff pile to pass onto friends and family Moving day! Our car filled with the final stuff pile to pass on or sell to friends and family I won’t spend much time rambling on how to detach from your “things”. Just know that the more you sell, the more you’ll feel smothered by the remaining items that are unloved, unused, and just unnecessary. Next, rest assured that you will most likely not miss that item. Heck, I can’t remember 90% of the crap we sold! Besides, nearly everything is replaceable and/or can be re-bought cheaper second hand. We’ve always thought it was senseless to place items in storage where they would only depreciate in value. My view is to purge everything you can part with. You may as well make the maximum profit while an item is more current. It’s not going to get any newer! If you want more in-depth and convincing help on ridding your belongings, I recommend reading Rolf Pott’s, “Vagabonding: The uncommon guide to long-term travel” and Tynan’s, “Life Nomadic”. Step 2: Sell early, sell often Having had two very different experiences selling our possessions, I strongly advocate for giving yourself as much time as possible to maximize profit. In our first sell-off in 2012, we began selling three months pre-departure. I cannot emphasise enough the value of time. Without it, you will end up purging items by the bag load to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Not that donating is bad (it’s awesome!), but you are missing out on monetising on at least some of your possessions if you need the cash. When you have time, you have patience. Sorting and pricing requires mental energy. Create designated evenings or weekends where it’s “stuff sorting” time – possibly accompanied by music and beers if you so wish to pump yourself up for your impending travels (from our experience, this is effective until about beer #3). Our selling routine went something like this: Determine if item is sell, donate, or keep*. (*If it’s keep, ask yourself why. Is it irreplaceable? Choose your keeps CAREFULLY! Re-visit your “keep” pile on several occasions. It gets easier to pass on as you revisit) If selling, take a few quality photos. Photograph the front, sides and back as appropriate. Take clear photos in good lighting – sunlight is best, so snap during the day and open the curtains. Good photos often determine not just if an item sells, but whether it looks deserving of the listed price. Don’t be lazy with postings. Detailed description paint a clear idea of the item for buyers. It will not only improve your likelihood of selling, but getting your asking price. Be convincing and specific. State an item’s true condition, features, colour, and any freebies or extras you’re willing to include. Help the buyer envision its quality and potential use (e.g. “would make a great gift for the holidays” or “a lovely piece to brighten up any living space”). Finally, make sure to include a link to a mass album or a page of all your listings to say something like, “I’m selling many more items as I’m travelling abroad, feel free to check them out here: ____”. Physically sort items and have clear piles for what’s what. It’s ideal to keep your “for sale” items together. If interested buyers are picking up from your house, you can then welcome them in to show your other items for sale. On average in our experience, half of buyers who see our other stuff will buy something else too, especially if a bundle price is offered. Once you have a clear routine, you’ll get efficient at sorting and selling. For many is the most painful part of the process, but it is where you will likely make the biggest chunk of savings for your trip. It pays to sort and sell ahead! Storage room mess If you ever feel discouraged in your sorting, just look back at this photo. It’s our HORRENDOUS storage room mess of 3 years and we actually emptied it, item by item. If we can tackle this, I promise you can tackle your clutter too! Step 3: Research and price properly Researching and properly pricing items is key to getting the most money back in your pocket. Are you starting to see a pattern here? You need time to research. Research generates more money! As you choose items to sell, try and confirm the regular retail price (RRP). If you’re always guessing, you could be really underselling a piece, and it takes hardly any time to do a quick Google search. Check Amazon or eBay to see going rates for your item in new condition. Now: pricing. I usually sell somewhere around half price of an item, with a 10% buffer above or below. If you’re totally unsure, especially with larger items, search locally on Kijiji or eBay to see prices of similar items. When in pricing doubt and when you have the time, start higher (time permitting) and see if you get any bites. I usually give big-ticket items 1-2 weeks before price-dropping. As you can see, this is why having the time on your hands is essential to maximise earnings! Step 4: Sell everywhere IMG_4050 Our apartment turned garage sale – price tags on every last thing. Whenever buyers came to pick something up, I would invite them into our “shop” to have a look. About 50% of the time, buyers would buy at least one other item. The less venues you’re using to sell your items, the less potential buyers are seeing them. If you have the patience and hours, post on all venues possible that are used in your local area (e.g. Kijiji, Craigslist, VarageSale, Facebook, etc). After having tracked literally every transaction from our first sell-everything-you-own-experience in Toronto, most of our buyers were from: 1. Facebook friends 2. Kijiji 3. Craigslist respectively. I found that making a Facebook album titled “For Sale” was an easy way for friends to “shop” for items that they could then pick up the next time I saw them. This can be more appealing for friends, especially for big ticket items, which for us were often bought by people we knew. Kijiji and Craiglist were close seconds for our sales. While I cannot swat away the flakey no-shows, I can only say stay strong, as it’s a major selling outlet. I never wasted my time delivering items to buyers. Only on a handful of times we met people in a public place that was convenient. Not to mention, with pick-ups you can invite people in and sway them to buy something else if you have more for sale! In our second experience selling everything in Sydney, we had less success via Facebook and sold most items via Gumtree (Australia’s equivalent to Kijiji). Hence, you need to figure out what’s common in your community. Finally, a new service I discovered on our brief return to Toronto is VarageSale. It’s a community based selling group in the U.S. and Canada. It requires a Facebook account so your face & name is on display and in my experience has far less no-shows. You could also try selling online via Ebay, though we’ve never personally used it for sales. Step 5: Stay strong! IMG_4064 Sometimes you just need a Reddit break after a mass decluttering spree. The final important note of selling everything you own is to simply stay strong – mentally and emotionally. Don’t mourn for the pieces of plastic and metal that were once shelf ornaments, dish sets, or a TV stand. You no longer need them in your life. You’re off on an adventure, remember?! My travel memories have – and always will have – significantly more value than any physical item I’ve owned. As I’ve wiggled my toes in the white Galapagos sands or burned my thighs climbing the slopes of Machu Picchu, I have never longed for my IKEA wall frames or designer shag rug. Rest assured, you WILL NOT miss your crap! The Thrifty Gist Sort & sell everything you don’t need. Give yourself plenty of time & be patient! Put a good effort into taking bright, quality photos & provide detailed descriptions in your postings. Don’t be lazy! Post on every platform used in your community – Facebook, Kijiji, Gumtree, Craigslist, VarageSale being common ones Materialism is seemingly impossible to avoid in our modern world, but freeing yourself of it can be your primary financial means to travel. Keep at it, and chase your dreams! Have you ever rid yourself of all your possessions? What are your tips for effective sorting and selling? LIKE IT? SHARE IT! 432 Sign up for our newsletter for cheap travel tips, deals, and thrifty inspiration. No spam, ever. We promise! email address Subscribe JEN AVERY Jen is a five-foot-short fireball with an itch for adventure. Besides travel, her shameless vices include wine-fuelled nights with good company, road trips to remote places, and squealing at adorable elderly dogs. (Also: COFFEE!). RELATED POSTS THE REALITY OF DEATH & WHY IT INSPIRES ME TO TRAVEL JEN AVERYMARCH 28, 2015 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO LONG-TERM TRAVEL ASAP JEN AVERYMARCH 21, 2015 5 SPECTACULAR ROAD TRIPS AROUND THE WORLD (WITH ROUTES) JEN AVERYMARCH 3, 2015 THE SECRET FORMULA TO LONG-TERM TRAVEL JEN AVERYFEBRUARY 21, 2015 HOW TO START COUPONING FOR BEGINNERS: 2017 GUIDE JEN AVERYFEBRUARY 16, 2015 EXTREME COUPONING: FAQS WITH COUPON EXPERTS JEN AVERYFEBRUARY 16, 2015 SAVING FOR TRAVEL AT HOME: FRUGAL FOOD TIPS (PART 2) JEN AVERYFEBRUARY 8, 2015 WHY PLANE CRASHES DON’T SCARE ME OUT OF FLYING JEN AVERYFEBRUARY 6, 2015 COMMENTS logo ABOUT FAQS JOBS SPONSORSHIP PRESS CONTACT © 2017 THRIFTY NOMADS • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • PRIVACY POLICY OUR WEBSITE CONTAINS SOME AFFILIATE LINKS IN RELEVANT AREAS. THIS MEANS WE GET A SMALL COMMISSION, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU, FOR RECOMMENDING A PRODUCT WE PERSONALLY USE, TRUST, AND OWN. Buy & Sell Travel Tickets and Hotel Bookings Do you have a pre-booked travel tickets that you can no longer use? A plane ticket or a hotel booking that needs to be transferred? Or, are you looking for last-minute vacation deals? Welcome to TransferTravel.com, the #1 travel marketplace for unused and pre-booked travel. Transfer Travel provides a free, secure, and convenient online platform for buying, selling, and transferring unwanted travel tickets and hotel bookings.
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu