Top 10: Historic & Cultural Places

Top 10: Historic & Cultural Places

Harry Marks
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History buffs, this one is for you. If you're tired of beaches or ski resorts, then why don't you set off on a journey and discover 10 lands that have served as the home to great civilizations, legendary battles, great statesmen, revolutions, and various aspects that have defined and shaped the world, as we know it?

Admittedly, practically every current day country could have made this list, as these 10 destinations offer tourists a safe trip and promise to teach you various things about life, arts, culture, history, and humanity, while ultimately proving that history is indeed a never-ending spiral. In other words, yes, Mesopotamia (current day Iraq) may have been the cradle of civilization, and Israel may have had an interesting history, but we would not send our readers there today. This list will take you places far and wide, and will span various time periods. So get ready, as we are about to sail away.

10. Russia

red square, russia
Russia has always been enigmatic to foreigners. Whether this is because of its geographical size, its Communist past or the excessive James Bond flicks, today Russia is struggling to gain some balance and stability. But Russia's vast human and natural resources make it a great country that will one day rise to the top of international circles again.

Russia is huge, and no, we do not necessarily suggest you trek out to Vladivostok, but cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg provide a glimpse into much of Russia's past to help find out why Ivan was so Terrible and Peter so Great.

The country has changed faces many times. St. Petersburg became Leningrad and then was reverted back to St. Petersburg after the fall of Communism. For the more adventurous types, visit some of the legendary battlegrounds where German troops clashed with Russians during World War II, such as where the Battle of Stalingrad took place from 1942 to the spring of 1943. So many men lost their lives in what was perhaps the biggest turning point of the War on the Western front.

Where must you go: St-Petersburg, where you will revisit the place where the Tsar's soldiers changed their minds and turned the tide of history.

9. France

The French manage to make most lists, and there is a reason for this. While France has enormous things to offer any tourist, a student of history will particularly take interest in France's past with visits to Versailles, where Louis XIV built the most lavish of palaces. The 18th century marked the Enlightenment, as France produced some of the most brilliant thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whose works influenced far more than originally thought possible.

Following this was the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire. The Revolution and subsequent Republic toppled the monarchy. What followed was a series of violence. This "Reign of Terror" marked the assassinations of the King and Queen, which raised the ire of other European monarchies. To this day, Paris still bears some scars; its streets are still stained, figuratively speaking of course, thanks to their "great" invention, the Guillotine. The country's past dates back even further as the core of the Gaul Province, much of which was lost to the Roman Empire during the reign of Honorius.

Where must you go: Palais de Versailles, a sign of the excess that surrounded French aristocracy during Louis XIV's monarchy.

8. China

great wall of china, china
Chinese civilization, as described in mythology, begins with Pangu, the creator of the universe, and a succession of legendary emperors and culture heroes. Today, anyone who is fortunate enough to visit China will confirm that it is definitely a different world. Much of this lies in China's storied past.

The most important figure in this period is Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius), who lived in the middle of the 6th century BC and whose goal was to reform government so that it could better take care of the welfare of the people. Lao Tzu is credited with being the founder of Taoism and also for having sought to reform government.

As in Confucianism, Taoism's central tenet is living according to the Way (Tao) of Heaven; Confucianism, however, construed the Way of Heaven as involving an active moral life; Lao Tzu, on the other hand, advised non-interference and non-striving. Thousands of years later, China was radically transformed with Mao Zedong's Revolution, shifting China towards Communism. Today, China is trying to embrace open markets, yet it still maintains a tight grip on the country's social and political pulse. With a huge population, China offers tourists a truly different experience.

Where must you go: Hong Kong, where East met West for decades and served as the gateway into China for Westerners.

7. Portugal and Spain

While it may be unfair to lump these two countries together, the two spearheaded the Age of Discovery, sending off Conquerors to "discover" new lands and improve trade. Yes, Mexicans speak Spanish and Brazilians Portuguese, but the real interesting thing about Portugal and Spain is that centuries after their journeys, the influence of the lands that they sailed to are still very much present back home.

From spices to fabrics to tobacco, a lot was promoted, and trade took on a greater dimension. In hindsight, no one can defend the slave trades or taking land away from Native Americans, but very much in the nature of history, hopefully these things sensitize us today and will teach future generations.

Where must you go: Salamanca's mighty monuments in Spain and Sintra's historic castles in Portugal.

6. United States (North America)

fort yellowstone, wyoming
It is a shame that most history books start in 1492, because for some reason, I think that there is a history before this date. Regardless, North America is great for two reasons: firstly, visit any destination and learn about Amerindian culture and history, be it in Oklahoma, Nevada, Quebec, Yukon, or Alaska. Secondly, North Americans may take this for granted, but the birth of the United States of America marked a utopian attempt to implement the theories set out during the Enlightenment by French philosophers.

While the US clearly has many shortcomings 200 years after its birth, it still has a lot to offer. You will also see how the 13 colonies grew to 50 prosperous states through the most rapid creation of wealth ever. Up north, Canada has a brief but interesting history as the battleground between France and the United Kingdom, all along the Amerindians' turf.

North America is the legacy of the British Empire, another worthy contestant throughout history that has given us, amongst other things, the most spoken language in the World.

Where must you go: New York City, because there is really no other place like it on earth.

Learn about history in the most culturally rich place...