Travel is more popular today than it’s ever been before. Only very recently in world history has the average person had the luxury of being able to book a flight (or get on a bus, or a boat) and head off to new and unexplored locales, purely for the pleasure of it.
In recent times, the rise of the Internet and social media have helped to remind everyone of just how incredible travel can be, with Instagram largely being filled with travel photos from exotic and fascinating locales.
But what should you do when you’re on vacation? Should you just hit up all the hottest clubs and party towns you can find? Or should you check out all the modern art galleries?
There’s nothing wrong with these two options. But it would be well worth your time also getting down to historical sites such as Crowne Pointe, and getting in touch with the past.
Why? Here are a few reasons.
Because they help you to understand and relate better to the people and events of the past
As human beings, we live in the present, but we always orient our perspective in light of the past, and the intricate events and complex figures of history.
When you travel to historical sites, you are able to “connect” with those past peoples and events, and that can give you a surprising amount of fulfilment and sense of context in the world at large.
If you’re travelling to Bohemian Switzerland, in the Czech Republic, for example, you’ll probably primarily be going for the awe-inspiring natural vistas. But you may find it really fascinating to see the hotel built centuries ago at the top of the mountain, for aristocratic travellers. Or to learn about the aristocratic explorers from centuries past, who carved their markings into rock in the heart of a great gorge.
Because there are many great and legendary stories to be found there
Many of the greatest stories we know of come from the past. This includes myth and legend, but also the everyday historical realities of the olden days.
If you’re travelling to Prague, for example, you will likely stop by the house of John Dee, an English occultist, alchemist, and spy, and learn something about his story.
Or maybe you’ll learn about the tunnels that connect an ancient alchemical laboratory to the main square of Prague, and the Royal Castle alike.
The best fiction often takes its inspiration from history. So, if you enjoy a good yarn, it can be well worth your while seeking out the stories to be had at different historical locations.
Because historical sites often do a great job of capturing the soul of a place
When we think of great world cities, we don’t typically think of the Metro, the rave scene, ot the assorted pop-up restaurants to be found there.
At least, not first and foremost.
A large part of the reason why we travel, in general, is to experience the “soul” and culture of a place. Historical sites often do a great job of capturing and distilling the soul of a place, and showing it to us in the form of landmarks, works of art, and historical narratives that have influenced the society down the ages.
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