At present, traveling abroad is inadvisable. However, that state of affairs will eventually lift, and we’ll once again get the opportunity to go overseas. When we can make vacation plans, the temptation is to lounge around on a beach in a warm country.
The thought of soaking in the best CBD bath bombs on the market in a hot tub in Aruba is definitely alluring! After all, the cannabinoid could help us relax and ease anxiety. A study published in Neurotherapeutics in 2015 investigated this assertion. The researchers found that CBD did indeed have potential as a means of helping people with anxiety disorders.
However, the current situation has given a lot of people some perspective. Some have decided that they want to learn more about the world we live in. This can include taking a trip to the past to see how other civilizations lived. It is truly fascinating to see the differences and similarities between modern-day humans and those that lived hundreds, or even thousands, of years ago.
In this article, we briefly look at three of the greatest historical places on Earth to visit. Each location was a major hub of civilization, and being there gives visitors a genuine sense of the past.
1 – Istanbul (Turkey)
Most travel guides suggest taking a trip to Rome. The Eternal City is linked with romance and also with the legendary Roman Empire. However, relatively few people make the connection between Istanbul and Ancient Rome. This is a surprise since the Turkish city was the capital of Rome’s empire in the east. The so-called Byzantine Empire lasted more than twice the length of Rome’s.
Once called Byzantium and then Constantinople, Istanbul was the capital of FOUR empires! The city was considered the most difficult to conquer in history by many historians, and even today, it retains many clues to its past splendor. There are few buildings on Earth with a more interesting history than the magnificent Hagia Sophia, for example.
Istanbul is a city where east meets west, and you get to see entirely different cultures living side by side. It is not a location where you can see all the sights in a day or two. Visitors also find that the nightlife is thriving, and the variety, and quality, of cuisine, exceeds most other cities.
2 – Taroudant (Morocco)
Taroudant is a relatively small city in south-eastern Morocco with a population of around 80,000 people. It isn’t even in the top five places to visit for those who visit the popular North African tourist nation, but it should be. Taroudant is a unique city insofar as it is almost entirely located within its walls. These walls are almost six kilometers long, and there’s a lot of history confined within.
Many people don’t realize that Taroudant was briefly the capital of Morocco during the Saadi Dynasty (1549 – 1669). The gargantuan souks and imposing ramparts provide a clue to this city’s one-time military importance. A visit to Taroudant brings you back to the 16th century. Today, it remains a popular market town and is approximately three hours from Marrakesh.
3 – Padua (Italy)
The city of Padua remains an almost hidden gem. Despite being filled with attractions for art, culture, and history lovers, the city is continually overlooked in favor of Verona and Venice. Use this to your advantage by exploring its streets, which are less crowded than its more famous counterparts.
Padua was founded in the 12th century BC, which makes it over 400 years older than Rome. It was the second richest city in Italy after Rome by the first century BC. It is also the location of Italy’s second-oldest university, which was established in 1222. Galileo Galilei is a famous resident of Padua, having lived there for almost 20 years. He once described his time there as the happiest in his life.
Padua is a city where ancient civilizations thrived, and you can still see echoes of the past in the form of numerous magnificent structures. The Scrovegni Chapel is a must-visit for art lovers, while the Basilica of Saint Anthony remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites.
It is also a city that likes to party! The annual Festa Della Lingua is one of the highlights of the calendar. It takes place on February 15 and celebrates the miracle that preserved St Anthony’s tongue. When considering a trip to Padua, check out its calendar and time your visit to coincide with one of its many festivals.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Historic Cities
We thought it would be fun to check out a few historical cities you may not necessarily have thought about visiting. Sure, places like Rome, Giza, and Vienna have an incredible amount of history, and all are worth visiting. However, it is also worth checking out Istanbul, Taroudant, and Padua too. Each has a unique history, with stories going back centuries. In some ways, visiting them is akin to traveling back in time.
