| With Indiana Jones back in the cinemas once | | | | Machu Picchu at sunrise on the fourth day. |
| more, an interest in ancient civilisations is | | | | Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt Out of the Seven |
| no longer confined to professors and | | | | Wonders of the World listed by the ancient |
| archaeologists. Indeed, cultural heritage | | | | Greek historian Herodotus, the Great Pyramid |
| holidays are growing increasingly popular, | | | | of Giza is the only one that can still be |
| with many AITO tour operators offering trips | | | | seen today on an ancient history holiday to |
| that look at some of the most notable ancient | | | | Egypt. Built over 4500 years ago, the Pyramid |
| ruins in the world. While most of the great | | | | was built as a tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh |
| monuments of ancient civilisations have been | | | | Cheops. It took over twenty years to |
| eroded or destroyed, some still survive, and | | | | construct, and was the tallest man-made |
| visiting one of these sites is like going on | | | | structure in the world for several thousand |
| a holiday in ancient history. In addition to | | | | years. Chichen Itza, Mexico Cultural heritage |
| being spectacular structures in their own | | | | holidays to Mexico inevitably tour the ruins |
| right, they form an invaluable part of any | | | | of ancient Mayan civilisation, and Chichen |
| cultural heritage holiday, giving a glimpse | | | | Itza is one of the most important Mayan sites |
| of a way of life that has long since | | | | in Mexico. The temple complex was built over |
| disappeared. If you fancy yourself as the | | | | 2000 years ago, and most of the buildings |
| next academic adventurer and are considering | | | | remain intact today, including the Temple of |
| a cultural heritage holiday abroad, here are | | | | Kukulkan, the Great Ball Court and the Temple |
| five of the most important places to visit | | | | of the Warriors. It was the capital of Mayan |
| around the world. The Parthenon, Greece | | | | civilisation for almost a thousand years - |
| Anyone on a specialised classical Greece | | | | why Chichen Itza was abandoned is not known, |
| holiday will see many amazing sights, | | | | but archaeological research suggests its |
| including the Temple at Delphi and the ruins | | | | downfall was violent. The site is truly a |
| of the Temple of Zeus at Mount Olympus. But | | | | must-see for those with an interest in |
| dwarfing them all is the Parthenon in Athens, | | | | ancient Mayan culture, with some of the best |
| often regarded as the most important | | | | preserved Mayan architecture left standing |
| classical monument that is still standing | | | | today. Coliseum, Italy Situated at the centre |
| today. It is an ancient temple to the goddess | | | | of Rome, this colossal amphitheatre (the |
| Athena, and is one of the finest examples of | | | | largest ever built in the ancient Roman |
| ancient Greek architecture and artwork. The | | | | empire) is almost 2000 years old. Originally |
| inside is a treasure trove of sculptures | | | | known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the |
| (though much of its content now resides in | | | | Coliseum could hold over 50,000 spectators, |
| the British museum), and the temple is placed | | | | and hosted gladiatorial contests, |
| in an unforgettable location on the | | | | performances and historical enactments. |
| Acropolis, looking down over Athens. Machu | | | | Despite damage from earthquakes and robbery, |
| Picchu, Peru This "Lost City of the Incas" | | | | it has stood the test of time and remains one |
| was only rediscovered at the beginning of the | | | | of the landmark sights for a cultural |
| 20th century, and is an essential place to | | | | heritage holiday to Italy. |
| visit for those interested in past | | | | |
| civilisations. Situated on top of a mountain | | | | Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of |
| above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, this | | | | the Association of Independent Tour Operators |
| excellently preserved site is the one of the | | | | (AiTO). With AITO's cultural breaks you can |
| finest remaining examples of Inca | | | | choose from tailor-made cultural heritage |
| architecture and has been voted one of the | | | | holidays, historical tours, musical trips and |
| New Seven Wonders of the World. You can reach | | | | many more. The independent tour operators |
| Machu Picchu by train from Cusco, but for a | | | | that AITO represent specialise in worldwide |
| really adventurous cultural heritage holiday | | | | holidays tailored to their customers' |
| you can walk the Inca Trail, a multi day hike | | | | requirements. |
| through a number of Inca ruins that reaches | | | | |