I dream of traveling the whole world like most people do; it’s on almost everyone’s bucket list. I have a list of destinations solely based on the history of the place which some people think is weird but it’s not. As long as I can remember I have had an unexplained interest in history. I love to reading histories be it of a person or a place. I like to imagine how it was during the olden days; it’s one of my favorite pass times. I have a travel wish list to satisfy the history buff in me.

• Pompeii

Pompeii was an ancient Roman town-city along with Herculaneum was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. It is said to have been a bustling town since 1^st century AD. After the eruption though Pompeii and other towns were buried and remained undiscovered until a part of the place was unearthed in 1599 but remained forgotten till 1748 when explorers rediscovered the site. The objects buried beneath Pompeii were well-preserved under the ash due to lack of air and moisture. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Athens

Athens, Greece is one of the oldest cities in the world. The city has a recorded history of over 3000 years but it is said to be inhabited for the last 7000 years. In ancient Greece, Athens played an important role in art, literature, drama, philosophy, and science. There are beautiful structures symbolizing the Greek civilizations like the Parthenon and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is a must-see for history lovers.

• Machu Picchu

This ruined city is located in Peru which is accessible only through a train or a four-day trek as it is situated at the top of a mountain. It was built as an estate for Inca Emperor Pachacuti during 1438-1472. This beautiful ancient city was abandoned after the Spanish Conquest of the region and discovered again after decades. It was named as one of the New Wonders of the World in 2007.

• Colosseum

Rome has been the heart of art and culture in Italy since centuries. The most symbolic structure in Rome is the Colosseum which was built in the first century AD. It is also the largest amphitheater in the world. It was used for Gladiator combats, spectacles, and even executions during the early Roman Empire. It has crumbled a little over the years and parts of it are restricted but it is still a very captivating part of the western civilization.

• Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is situated on the bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is a magnificent structure of white marble built by the Mughal King Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and famous as a symbol of love all over the world. It is an architectural gem from the period of the Mughal rule in India.

There are many more fascinating historic places I hope to see someday the list could go on and on but these are the ones which sit at the top of my list. I have imagined visiting them since I read about them in history text books. Cities like Athens and Rome have such an incredible and vast historic significance even in today’s world.