Almost any destination in the world offers tourists unique historical details through tours, museums and architecture. Some regions are exceptionally rich in natural and human history, making them ideal vacation destinations for history buffs. Reaching from the ancient temples of Angkor, Cambodia to the assembly lines of Detroit, the meaning of history is vast.
8 Historical Vacations for History Buffs
Take a dive deep into the past in one of these historic destinations.
Angkor, Cambodia
Claim to Fame: The capital of the Khmer Empire
Religious and industrial architecture dating back to the 9th century, including the Angkor Wat Temple, is among the biggest reasons Angkor is a historic destination. After the fall of the Khmer Empire, a variety of people, from Thai to French, have made their mark on the region.
Athens, Greece
Claim to Fame: The birthplace of democracy
Named after the goddess of wisdom, Athena, this city was ruled by ancient kings before the birth of democracy near the beginning of the Common Era. The rich political history of Athens, which includes centuries of trade and numerous invading peoples, is paired with beautiful architecture from throughout history.
Detroit, Michigan
Claim to Fame: The birthplace of the Model T
Once a French fort and later controlled by the British, car-loving history buffs enjoy Detroit for its reputation as the Motor City. At the turn of the century, Detroit had a reputation for manufacturing and a location between many of the raw materials necessary for production, giving auto companies a place to call home.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Claim to Fame: The city’s millennia old walls
Inhabited as early as the 4th century, various civilizations (including the Byzantines and Venice) thrived here, protect by walls more than 80 feet high. As an independent nation, it traded with empires in the Middle East, India and Africa. This varied past makes for a unique historical vacation.
Giza, Egypt
Claim to Fame: The Great Pyramids of Giza
These man-made wonders need no introduction. Egypt was home to some of the earliest and most powerful people in known history, and the Great Pyramids of Giza are the most recognizable relic of the ancient civilization. Nearby Cairo is home to other ancient structures, as well as more modern evidence of British rule and metropolitan aspirations.
Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
Claim to Fame: Kharakhorum, Genghis Khan’s capital city
Located along one of the many branches of the Silk Road, this region is still home to nomadic societies, just as it was centuries ago. The Orkhon Valley is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors will find evidence of the ancient empires who once ruled here among the beautiful mountains and lush pastures, perfect for hiking.
St. Augustine, Florida
Claim to Fame: The oldest city in the US
Named by explorers from Spain, St. Augustine is the United States’ oldest continually occupied European settlement. In the city’s museums, you’ll find information on the region’s native people, Spanish missions and corporate grandeur through the last few centuries. History buffs will love walking the cobblestone streets, bringing the historic details of the city to life.
