Long before the invention of airport lounges and long-haul flights, travel was an adventurous endeavor with only explorers and a handful of brave (or crazy?).) will try. Spending months at sea, traversing vast expanses of ocean in dangerous conditions is standard for the course. Now we have a way to wake up in Sydney and fall asleep in New York in a few hours, and it's comfortable.
While some might say that this ease and accessibility of travel is a trade-off against historical and cultural losses, we believe the opposite. Travel allows us to explore, understand, respect, and preserve the remnants of human history with each generation. An important aspect of travel is seeing things that remind us of things from the past. It helps bring the pages of a history book to life in a way that the classroom can't.
So if you've always wanted to travel back in time, this is your last boarding**. You don't need a time machine, or even a delorean, just go back in time at these historic resorts to get a glimpse of the days gone by.
Rising out of the desert of central Australia, Uluru is an iconic sandstone rock formation and one of Australia's most famous attractions. With a history dating back about 500 million years, Uluru is more than just a photo opportunity. The huge red rock is 348 meters high and has a base around 94 km and considered one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. Uluru is a place of deep spirit. While this is especially true for the Anangu people and the traditional owners of this land, visitors from far and far can feel a powerful presence the moment they see it.
While its spectacular panorama is obvious, when you look closely, you'll discover the true beauty of Uluru. Ancient megaliths are home to rare plants and animals, as well as caves painted with extraordinary rock art and important spiritual sites. Carrying ancient wisdom expressed through traditional markers, the story of the ancestors of creation is passed down from generation to generation, just as it has been for thousands of years. While most stunning at sunrise and sunset, nothing prepares you for the touching experience of visiting the rocks at any time of the day.
Many visitors wishing to tick this icon off their bucket list are struck by the amazing spiritual connection they have discovered to the surrounding landmarks and rugged inland landscapes. Located within the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru has special cultural significance and has been described as a place where the earth and memory come together. Here, Australians will feel connected to their land like never before. Visiting Uluru is a life-changing experience that gives modern Australians a glimpse of life on our land as it was lived thousands of years ago by its traditional owners. Inspiring a new appreciation of the spiritual significance of this land in its culture, visitors will leave Uluru with greater respect for the traditional caretakers of our land.
Melbourne is a thriving, modern city known for its bohemian vibe, famous foodies, chic shopping, and vibrant nightlife. However, alongside the towering skyscrapers and corporate towers are magnificent old buildings, striking historic buildings, and historic attractions and landmarks. The city's well-preserved historic buildings span every era of the mid-1800s, and it is these antique gems that give the Victorian capital a unique edge. From heritage-listed monuments to majestic cathedrals, from Italian architecture to French Renaissance-style lavish architecture, from colonial gardens to Melbourne's maritime history, much of Australia's history and identity can be found on city streets.
No building in Melbourne is as iconic as Flinders Street Station. While still a modern commuter hub, the original terminus has stood on site since 1854. Standing on the opposite corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street is the perfect opportunity to capture the ornate Art Nouveau facades adorned with copper-clad domes, pressed metalwork, stained glass, wrought iron balustrades and a plethora of unique decorative elements.
Another synonym for Melbourne is the Royal Exhibition Gallery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1880 and inspired by Italy's Florence Cathedral, the striking interior was home to the World's Fair** era and is now considered one of the last remaining "industrial palaces".
Escape the city and head to the waterfront of Port Phillip Bay to explore the colourful cultural icons and historic assets of the Brighton bath box. Much has been written about Victorian morality and the ways in which it influenced people's lifestyles, and the Humble Bath Box is a reminder of Melbourne's most popular waterfront playground in the late 19th century, which still exists today as it did more than a hundred years ago.
The Old Melbourne Prison has been a major symbol of Melbourne skyline authority since the mid-1800s and was once Australia's most notorious prison, incarcerating petty offenders alongside the homeless and mentally ill. During its 70-year working life, the prison imprisoned some of the country's most famous criminals, including the notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor. The iconic jungle ranger Ned Kelly was also executed here along with 132 other criminals. This bluestone former prison is now a museum that shares stories of prison life and has the opportunity to explore its Echo Hall.
For a sobering glimpse into the lives of our early settlers, drive a few hours west to Ballarat, where the Suffen Hill Living Museum depicts the story of Australia's gold rush. Once a sleepy ranch settlement, the discovery of 1851** sparked the world's largest alluvial gold rush, making Ballarat a regional city built on wealth in record time. Nestled on 15 hectares of former gold mines, Mount Shufen brings Australia's gold rush history to life through a living town with underground mines, excavations, coaches, costume figures, 1850s homes, shops, schools and **.
While Fiji is now known as a relaxing beach resort, it has been inhabited for about 3,500 years and has a long history of indigenous traditions and values as well as tribal wars and even cannibalism. Any visit to Fiji should be more than just a 'fly around' holiday, as it's only a short drive from the main tourist resorts, an ancient culture and landscape waiting to be discovered.
Fiji's early settlers were first settled by Melanesians, bringing with them a wide variety of food and agricultural practices, as well as establishing hierarchical communities based on descent and personal merit. They lived in geography and family clans, developing sophisticated irrigation systems to develop their settlements. There is only one traditional village left in Fiji, located on the Ba Hills, and a visit to Navarre Village is a great insight into the island lifestyle that has been lived for generations. Here, thatched-roof houses, called bures, are home to people who live on seasonal** wild boars, wild yams, and jungle fruits by growing their own root crops, fruits, and vegetables.
Arriving at the village is a special experience in itself, as you can travel in a 4WD vehicle through remote pristine wilderness and dense jungle. Crossing the creek, it's easy to see that this landscape has not been trampled on by mass tourism and has not changed for thousands of years. You will be greeted by the chiefs and hear stories about how the tribes lived in the past, long before Europeans discovered them.
Sitting around the kava bowl, you'll take part in a ritual that has been going on for hundreds of years, taking you back to a time and place you've never been to and appreciating the world back then. These people have fished here for generations, their ancestors planted crops that continue to sustain them, and have been their home for hundreds of years, this incredible natural lifestyle is what they grew up up with. It really gives you a sense of how different our modern life is and how people have lived around the world over the centuries.
However, there is also joy in modern history. Fiji is a very popular holiday destination for Australians, and over the years, countless Australian tourists have flocked to the island nation, from family vacations to destination weddings, honeymoons, vow renewals, baby's first holidays, and everything in between. Australians have been making their own personal histories on the shores of Fiji for years, and many love to come back, whether it's year after year or on special occasions to relive and ease those special personal memories.
Aotearoa (New Zealand) was founded in the 13th century when Māori from Polynesia settled in the country, bringing with it a fascinating history and culture. Traditional Māori heritage is an ancient and enduring culture that is still proudly displayed today. Stunning Maori historic sites, taonga (treasures) and beautiful colonial-era architecture create a strong era blend across the country.
A heritage and home to the Tūhourangi-ngāti Wāhiao people, Huakare Warewa is an incredible region known as the only living Maori village in New Zealand. The Maori of the village are located in the geothermal area of Taupo, and their ancestors can be traced back to the original occupiers of the valley in 1325. According to legend, the energy given by the geothermal landscape to life helps to preserve the village, which has a history and culture of more than 200 years.
A symbol of independence and perhaps New Zealand's most important historic site, the Treaty of Waitangi was held as a protected area where Māori chiefs and the British Crown signed New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi. Today, the ** features an immersive museum experience where visitors can discover the stories of Indigenous peoples, learn about their way of life, and how treaties came to be.
Despite New Zealand's long history, the Hawke's Bay region is perhaps one of the most unique restoration stories in the country's architectural history. On the morning of March 3, 1931, the dramatic story of the towns of Havelock North, Hastings, and Napier unfolded as Hawke's Bay took place on 7Class 250**, which killed more than 1920 people, permanently receded the coastline and destroyed buildings. The popular Art Deco style of the period was just beginning to become popular in New Zealand at the time, and many buildings in the area were rebuilt in this style. Since then, the artistic architectural design has been preserved and is now the main highlight of the visit, with many historical tours and festivals held throughout the year. Visiting Hawke's Bay is like stepping back in time to the Roaring Twenties, where gangsters ruled the streets, Prohibition ruled the nightlife, and clappers ruled their hearts.
Any Australian who wants to travel back in time in New Zealand can't miss a visit to the Edwin Fox, the second oldest surviving merchant ship. Located in Picton, the ship was built in 1853 and was the only surviving vessel to transport convicts to Australia under a British charter. For many Australians, exploring the depth and deck of the boat is the closest they can get to following in the footsteps of their ancestors. For many, their existence and way of life in this "blessed country" is due to the harsh conditions that their ancestors endured aboard this magnificent navigator.
Europe's history is rich and unique, with a patchwork of traditions and cultures spanning thousands of years. Civilizations rise and fall, kings and queens are crowned, and architectural marvels that have stood the test of time are built by hand, brick by brick. When it comes to historical sites in Europe, there are almost too many places worth mentioning, but some of the most important locations, landmarks, and structures are making a lasting impact on the modern world we live in now.
At the top of the list of historical attractions in Europe is Greece, considered the cradle of Western civilization, the birthplace of democracy and the Olympic Games. Its ancient history and magnificent temples are still evident today, with sites such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, and the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.
Known for being a Xi center of learning, Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracted some of Europe's greatest thinkers, and for 500 years it was a Benedictine monastery, a fortified medieval village, a pilgrimage center, a monastery and even a prison until 1874, when it was listed as a historical monument and restored. The impressive architecture and unique natural location make for an impressive silhouette and popular historical attractions.
If we are to learn from history Xi the triumph of justice over **, then the Berlin Wall is undoubtedly a symbol. The remains of this historical monument represent the liberation of the whole world and serve as a reminder of Germany's past political oppression. The fall of the Berlin Wall is one of the most important moments in recorded history, and witnessing it in person cannot be compared to books and movies. A visit to the Berlin Wall is a surreal and moving experience, a reminder of World War II and the dark past that humanity can never return to.
A tour of Europe's history would not be complete without a visit to Italy and its Roman historical sites. Pompeii has been virtually frozen since 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the town in a thick layer of ash, leaving the entire city in place. Meanwhile, in the heart of Rome, the iconic Colosseum offers an insight into the imperial era. With a capacity of 50,000 people, this ancient arena was built in 70 AD and played an important role in Roman heritage, celebrations, castrations, and famous gladiator fights.