101 Things to Do Before You Die: Ancient Remains by The TI Review Team
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Visit the Most Extraordinary and Atmospheric Ruin by Amar Grover
Angkor Watt, Cambodia. The most extraordinary and atmospheric ruin one could hope to see. Cambodia’s recent tragic history merely heightens the sense of achievement - and loss - of an ancient and artistic people.
Visit Bran Castle by Melissa Rossi
Take a trip in the Romanian countryside to Bran Castle. Traffic jams of sheep and cows only add to the appeal of the lost-in-time countryside where the spindly towers of the castle that was inspiration for Dracula peeks through thick forests.
See A Ruined Armenian City by Jeremy Seal
Ani, Eastern Turkey. A ruined Armenian city, which stands in No Man's Land on Turkey's border with Armenia. Ani is among the greatest examples of medieval architecture in the Near East, but what truly stirs the soul is its remote and earthquake-ravaged setting.
See the Grand Jaguar by Tom Brosnahan
Deep in Guatemala's jungle province of El Peten, climb the Temple of the Grand Jaguar (44 m) as chattering parrots flock to nearby trees and monkeys shriek in the jungle canopy, awaiting the main event: moonrise.
See the Ruins of Tikal by Andrew Ferree
Before us, tower the restored ruins of Tikal, which more than 2.000 years ago was a blooming town with at least 10.000 inhabitants, in the very heart of North Guatemala draped in the vast green of El Petén. Tikal is still imposing and strangely intimidating, its setting is lush and teeming with wildlife, and with a mysterious and overwhelming atmosphere. It is a daily testament of the former splendor and greatness of the Mayan civilization.
Visit the Manhattan of the Ancient Maya by Isabella Tree
Tikal, Guatemala: the Manhattan of the ancient Mayan cities; temple skyscrapers towering above the jungle that, to my mind, equal any of the great man-made wonders of the world. Sunrise from top of Temple IV and sunset from Temple III are incredible. These are also the best times of day for seeing wildlife - howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, deer, foxes and cotamundi, and even, if you’re lucky, the beautiful long-tailed quetzal bird.
See th Remains of Whole Cities by Nigel Tisdall
Tour the Roman ruins of Tunisia, where the remains of whole cities lie stretched out in the sun. Start with the great collection of mosaics in the Bardo museum in Tunis, then visit Dougga, Bulla Regia, Thuburbo Maius and El Djem before crashing out on the beaches of Djerba or plunging into the Sahara.
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See the Plain of the Unexplained by Phillip Sen
The Plain of Jars is exactly what it says it is. A plain full of jars. Whether the thousands of artefacts scattering the otherwise empty grasslands are dynastic burial chambers, ancient brewing vessels or simply Neolithic dustbins, no-one knows. Don't ask any questions, just enjoy the enigma that is all that is left of a once great civilisation.
Tour an Iron-Age Fort by Nick Maes
There are two Caradoc’s in Shropshire and both are lovely. A summer’s day on Caer Caradoc near Leintwardine and the distant Welsh hills look hazy and flat. This is a truly ancient place – yet the iron-age hill fort that crowns the hill is still very much apparent. Grasshoppers buzz in the fine dry grass and buzzards circle in blue skies overhead. Be sure to take a simple picnic.
Stand Inside the Great Pyramid in Giza by Peter D. Smith
Go inside the great Pyramid at Giza, near Cairo. It's narrow, so you have to crawl, claustrophobic, smelly but when you stand silently in the King's Chamber, where Cheops was laid to rest in a red stone sarcophagus over 4500 years ago, you will be moved beyond any other emotion you might have experienced.
Visit Spiritual Stones in India by Fiona Dunlop
Hampi: The ruins of this 14th century kingdom lie in central India, a day’s drive by creaking Ambassador from Goa. Gigantic boulders, crumbling temples, a slow river, pilgrims, parakeets and monkey descendants of Hanuman - it’s one of those rare and magical places where natural wonders merge into manmade and mythical ones. Fiona Dunlop
Visit the Glorious Palaces of Iran by Kamin Mohammadi
Iran, Isfahan: See Isfahan, the 18th century capital of Iran, with its glorious palaces and eye popping mosques, its wide, tree-lined boulevards and bridges harbouring old fashioned tea houses. First stop should be the vast main square lined by the fabulous bazaar and two mosques and the Ali Qapu Palace.