4 Days in Easter Island- Itinerary for a Self-Guided Tour of Rapa Nui
“We’re most looking forward to spending 4 days in Easter Island,” I’d say when friends asked about our upcoming trip to South America. “What’s Easter Island?” some would ask, a…
Photo of the Week: The Lion Gate at Mycenae, Greece
This week I’m featuring a photo taken at Mycenae during my 2007 trip to Greece. The aptly named Lion Gate is the main entrance to the citadel of Mycenae, an…
Photo of the Week: Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius
The origins of Pompeii may be unfamiliar to most, but the city’s catastrophic demise is a story known around the world. Pompeii was founded by the Campanian Oscans in the…
Photo of the Week: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens
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…
Photo of the Week: Theatre at Epidaurus, Greece
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…
Palatine Hill and Domitian’s Palace- Roman History, Mythology and Ruins
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…
Ancient Olympia- Birthplace of the Olympic Games
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…
Ancient Delphi- The Navel of the World
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…
Visiting Ostia Antica- Harbour City of Ancient Rome
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…
Photo of the Week: Temple of Hephaestus, Athens
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,…
Coba, Mexico- A Mad Dash Towards a Terrifying Climb
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…
Photo of the Week: The Pantheon, Rome
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…
Tour of the Acropolis- Athens’ High City
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…
Ephesus- Exploring an Ancient City
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…
Photo of the Week: El Castillo, Chichen Itza
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…
The Roman Forum- History, Monuments and Tips for Visiting
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….
Photo of the Week: Tholos of Delphi at the Sanctuary of Athena- Delphi, Greece
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…
Knossos Palace- Discovering Minoan Culture and Mythology
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…
Off the Beaten Path in Rome- 4 Places to Escape the Tourist Crowds
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…
The Colosseum- Iconic Symbol of Rome
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…