Ancient world travel

Submit a travel story

Mayan Ruins of Palenque, Mexico

Amidst jungle-shrouded hills overlooking the Usumacinta River basin in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, the Mayan site of Palenque is a jewel for anyone interested in ancient Mayan civilization. Palenque offers a little bit ...

County Clare: Green, Ancient Ireland

County Clare, Ireland, is otherworldly: hilly, lush green paddocks (pastures) separated by centuries-old stone fences and dotted with small herds of cows, horses and donkeys. And sheep – glorious in shagginess and shades of white, ...

Mayan Ruins in Quirigua, Guatemala

I’m fascinated by the Mayan civilization and its monumental architecture, artwork and culture and have visited ancient Mayan sites throughout Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Some sites are sprawling, and it’s amazing to step back in ...

Santorini: Oia and Akrotiri

Santorini is one of the undisputed jewels of the Greek Islands. Two of its most enchanting attractions are the village of Oia and the archeological dig Akrotiri, once a prominent ancient town. Oia and Akrotiri ...

Teotihuacan: City of the Gods

Located roughly 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, Teotihuacan is an essential day trip if you’re visiting Mexico City. Considered Mexico’s most important archaeological site, Teotihuacan thrived as a civilization roughly between 100 and 700 ...

Knowth, County Meath, Ireland

"All of these mounds have a hole straight down into them. When you go up top, you'll see," says the guide at Knowth. County Meath, Ireland, is one of the earliest known developments – older ...

Timeless Athens

En route to Athens, my flight connected in London with a stopover just long enough to view the famous Elgin Marbles in the British Museum. Greece has been determined to have them returned to their ...

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is located in Coolidge, Arizona, about an hour’s drive from either Phoenix or Tuscon. It’s believed that this ancient structure was occupied by one large family of the Hohokam society. ...

Delphi: Sanctuary of the Ancient Greeks

In the shadow of Mount Parnassus amid olive, pine and cypress trees stands one of the truly sacred spots of the ancient world. About 2,000 feet above sea level, Delphi is one of the best ...

Rome (in a Day)

“I love it here but after a while we get a little tired of seeing all these naked statues,” a Midwest couple confided to me about their first trip to Rome. I had already decided ...

Fun and Games in Coba, Mexico

The site of pre-Colombian ruins on the Yucatan peninsula, Coba, reachable on a day trip from Cancun, was at one point inhabited by over 50,000. Coba’s Nohoch Mul is the highest pyramid in the Yucatan ...