Europe is full of awe-inspiring ancient ruins just waiting to be explored. Humans are estimated to have been living on the European continent for at least 45,000 years, according to scientific evidence. From the mysterious standing stones found throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland to the jaw-dropping architecture in cities like Rome that dates back thousands of years, Europe’s ruins provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our ancestors and the advancement of the human species.
Some of the oldest ruins date back at least 9,000 years, and they’re absolute must-sees for history buffs. On the other hand, if you’re not fascinated with the ancient world, they may seem a little boring. Travel expert Rick Steves has excellent advice when it comes to enjoying ancient ruins during your journeys.
Steves has traveled across Europe countless times. He’s authored bestselling travel guidebooks, hosted his own show, and developed a profitable tour company, so you can trust his travel tips. While Steves is a big fan of historical sites, he understands that ruins might seem like a letdown. He suggests ensuring that you brush up on the history of your destination in order to have a little context before visiting ancient sites, and use your imagination to envision what life might have been like in order to thoroughly enjoy the experience.
The power of using your imagination
Brush up on your ancient history
Before Steves became a celebrity, he was just a kid backpacking around Europe in search of the inspiration that only travel can bring. While his experiences were plentiful and rich, he wasn’t always impressed by ancient sites. “In my student days, I bummed through Greece’s Parthenon surrounded by people looking like they were having a good time — and I was convinced they were faking it. Two years later, after a class in ancient art history, I understood how Greek society was designed,” he wrote. His newfound knowledge provided him with enough context to fully appreciate his experience. “Clearly, there are two kinds of sightseers: those who know what they’re looking at … and those who don’t.”
While having an existing knowledge of history definitely helps, Steves insists that travelers don’t need to be fresh out of a History 101 course to enjoy visiting ancient ruins. Consider ordering a book with photos of the ancient sites you’ll be visiting alongside renderings of what they looked like in their prime. If you forget to order them before you depart, you can usually find some in souvenir shops or gift shops at the sites you visit, according to Steves. Do some research online, or watch a documentary in preparation for your trip.
Steves also suggests paying a little extra for the audio guides that are often available at historic sites, so you can learn about the history as you explore. Booking a guided tour, or hiring a private tour guide is another wonderful option. Ancient ruins are popular tourist hot spots and can become overcrowded, so Steves recommends booking tickets in advance with timed entry when visiting attractions in beautiful ancient cities.
