Shovel bum or history buff, if exploring the past is a big part of travel's allure for you, there's ample grist for your mill, from hamming it up in the stocks at Colonial Williamsburg to exploring ancient temples and cities, to treading (and even digging occasionally up) the stones of archaeological sites.
cover photo: Xavier Senente
Chensiyuan Like many kids in the United States, while growing up my parents would each summer pack us into the car and set off on a family road trip of varying lengths. Usually they were (more or less) fun, and it certainly instroduced me to new experiences as well as learning a lot about my country. And as this summer´s road trip season, it also dovetails with the USA´s observance of its 250th birthday, culminating on July 4, which marks the date of the signing of the Declaration of…
Read more…Municipalidad de MirafloresThis country´s capital is a vibrant modern metropolis of around 10 million, with excellent dining, nightlife, nearby beaches, and an atmospheric, UNESCO World Heritage colonial core dating back to 1535. And it´s also home to a number of Incan sites as well as others which are not just pre-Columbian but also predate the Incas; these huacas are temples, funerary, administrative, and commercial centres spread throughout the modern city, and provide a fascinating look at…
Read more…Let´s face it, most people flock to the 227 inhabited islands of Hellas because of their thousands of gorgeous beaches. But many also offer history buffs plenty to admire, and there are a number which are also worth visiting for their historical marvels alone, dating back millennia. Here are the five most important... read post
Read more…Mariordo Some of the world’s most famous ruins can be found in this expansive, steamy lowland peninsula covering the southern Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo (as well as, many people don’t realise, northern Belize and the Guatemalan state of Petén, home to Tikal). The “Big Three”, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Uxmal, are celebrated for a reason. But if you’re particularly fascinated, as I am, with the Mundo Maya, you’ll want to add several more days to your visit here,…
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Chinese Terracotta Army, Ancient Art, Furniture, Vintage, Books, Tea & Food in Rome
http://www.buzzinrome.com/?p=1763Good to see your post, Will. Next time I'm in Gettysburg, I'll want to take that ride, too. I've been so damned busy lately that I haven't called Mary. Must correct. Meanwhile, how is she doing?
While in Gettysburg in September I had the opportunity to traverse much of the the battlefield by horseback. Having been to Gettysburg battlefield many times this was a first for me. The feeling of being on horseback and experiencing the imagery of the battle (but not the incredible courage) which Pickett's men did in his famous charge is an unforgetable feeling. It is well worth takin
g the ride !
Wanna Know What the Popes Read? Go to the Vatican Library Exhibit!
By BuzzInRome
It took three years of extraordinary building works to reopen to the public in September the historic "Library of the Popes". 1,600,000 printed volumes, 80,000 manuscripts and 100,000 archival units, 8,400 incunabula, about 300,000 coins and medals, 150,000 prints, drawings and engravings, and over 150,000 pictures.
These are just the key figures of the Vatican Library.
On this occasion, which was long awaited by thousands of scholars (about 20,000 attend each year), the Vatican Library is revealed to the public through an exhibition in the Braccio di Carlo Magno, Saint Peter's Square, running until January 31.
The exhibition will look into the history of a precious and boundless heritage such as the one preserved in the Vatican Library (founded in 1451); but it is also an opportunity to illustrate, with the help of technology, the immense cultural, religious and human value that it has for men and women of today and for future generations.
A guided, multimedia tour available in Italian, English, French, Spanish and German which offers a view even of the otherwise inaccessible "internal" areas of the Library. Such as the extraordinary Sistine Hall of the Library, painted in the late sixteenth century and rebuilt for the exhibition, complete with splendid frescoes and furnished with reading tables where visitors may don white gloves and consult the precious manuscripts (in facsimile). It is also possible to see the "laboratories" where the Library staff do their daily work. And the last room contains a laboratory for the restoration of ancient manuscripts, precious bindings and printed books. The Library's restoration experts work in front of the visitors and can interact with them by answering questions and providing general information on methods and techniques of restoration and preservation.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections displaying some of the most important manuscripts of Western history, dating from the early Christian era to the present day; precious incunabula and rare printed volumes from all periods; drawings by the greatest artists in Western art; art prints; and an extraordinary selection of coins and medals.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMkMsbU-30A&feature=share">You Tube video of the exhibition</a>
By BuzzInRome
“What are you doing Friday night?”
“I’m going to visit the Vatican Museums.”
“Oh, I see, free for dinner on Saturday then?”
“Nope, I’m afraid not, I’m going to the Colosseum!”
If someone declines your invitation for these reasons, they may be telling the truth! After the great success of the summer, Rome’s top monuments night openings were extended until October. Therefore these are the last days for your under-the-stars visits.
The Vatican Museums will be open on Fridays from 7pm to 11pm, last entrance at 9:30pm, until October 29. You’ll be able to see the Museum’s artworks, buildings and yards under a different light, there will be music and poetry shows and Saint Pious V’s Halls with Middle Age and Renaissance ceramics will be opened for the occasion. Booking required: www.musei-vaticani.va.
October 23 is the last Saturday for a moonlight visit of the Colosseum from 9 pm until midnight. Guided tours in English will be provided by archeologists. Booking required: +390639967700. Moreover, the Colosseum has two more suprises for you. Just a week ago, after 40 years, it opened its dungeons, where gladiators were locked waiting for their combats and lions and tigers were kept in cage before being transported by lifts up to the central fighting arena. The upper section of the third ring, also closed for decades, will be accessible to visitors who will marvel an unsurpassed view of Rome’s ancient forum. Both areas can only be visited with a guided tour.
Last but not the least, free night visits will be offered until the end of 2010 in most of the State-owned museums every last Tuesdays of the month from 7pm until 11pm. Just to mention some of my favorites: the Borghese Museum and Gallery, the newly renovated Ancient Art Gallery, Sant’Angelo’s Castle, and Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli. The complete list is available here in the “Lazio” section.
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