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