Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations For History Buffs
tejaswi bhagavatula Bhagavatula Tejaswi is writer.
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Are you and your partner students of history? Are you part of that rare breed of people who choose to appreciate the great heritage that we have sprung from? Did you gasp as you read from your History texts in school, only daring to imagine treading the same earth that served as the platform for the progress of history? Then you’ll naturally want to make this a priority as one of the things you want to accomplish during your honeymoon. If you are passionate about understanding the roots of the heritage that such history bloomed from, you’ll want to experience those lands for yourself. Which is why we present to you the best honeymoon destinations that offer rich heritage, beautiful sights, and some of the best food, drink and comfortable stay for a thoroughly enjoyable time spent together.
Read on and peruse our selection of some of the more superlative locations for the potential history loving couple to spend their honeymoon in.
1. Budapest, Hungary:
The scenic cityscapes of Budapest represent the capital of Hungary. A favourite destination of tourists, who number in the millions, this is a warm, welcoming city for honeymooners especially. You can sense the time that has passed here, with every cobblestone possibly with its own tale to tell. Once a vibrant centre of Jewish tradition, since it had a sizeable population of Jewish nationals, the city holds some chilling scars of anti-semitism and you’ll find a lot of World War history here as well. Full of parks, museums, churches and castles, you’ll never have the problem of running out of places to go to. Stroll around the city and take in the sights, imbibe the sense of history that permeates every street corner.
Must See Sites: The Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Castle District, The Palace of Arts, Statue Park, Margaret Island and the State Opera House.
What’s more: The city is also renowned as a premier spa destination; the surprising range of baths in the city will astound you. Once you’ve had your fill of history, you can always explore the city’s vividly thriving nightlife, with a host of pubs and bars to choose from. Though of course, we would recommend eating at one of the innumerable restaurants first; it will help you pace yourself, and you will have an elevated dining experience. A worthy addition to any list of top honeymoon destinations.
Best Time to Visit: Between March and November.
2. Malta:
A surprising black-horse, this pearl drop of an island in the Mediterranean makes for a perfect romantic escape. Along with a vast range of significant historical monuments that come from Arabs, Byzantines, Carthaginians, Greeks, Pheonicians, Romans as well as most infamously from the Knights of St. John, the birthplace of the Spanish Inquisition; the city also boasts of beautiful beaches and a vibrant wine industry.
Must See Sites: The island’s capital city, Valletta, has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1980. This city is a rolling stratum of concentrated history, with over 320 monuments within city premises. The city is filled with architecture reminiscent of the Renaissance and remains of ancient fortifications still pepper the horizon.
What’s more: 320 monuments. 320.
Best Time to Visit: Beautiful all round the year, it seems best to visit in the winter, when it isn’t as hot and draining.
[Read More: 10 Serene International Honeymoon Destinations For The Globe-trotting Couple]
3. Trujillo, Peru:
While it is true that the more famously known Machu Picchu and the rest of the Inca Trail draws the majority of Peru’s tourist trade, to the intrepid explorer, they just scratch the surface of the rich history of this region. Moving away from this obvious tip, you would move on to more hidden wonders, one of those being Trujillo. A northern city, it was established by the Spanish in the middle of the sixteenth century. It was also one of the first cities to rise up in defiance and declare independence from their colonial overlords. The city proudly bears its varied colonial and pre-colonial history and wears it on its sleeve through colourfully charming facades.
Must See Sites: The remains of what was the largest adobe city in the world, the intricate labyrinth of ruins that make up what is left of Chan Chan, the old capital of Chimu, are just a few kilometres away.
What’s more: What is left of the Moche Temples, the remains of altars to the sun and moon, is also close by.
Best Time to Visit: July through October would be ideal.
4. Petra, Jordan:
Also known as the Red Rose City, this astounding feat of architecture is a testament to the potential of human ingenuity, imagination and accomplishment. Carved right into the walls of sandstone cliffs and outcrops, this was once a bustling centre of commerce and trade. A hub for multiple trade routes, Petra has seen silk, spice and everything in between being handled by traders from China and India; who used this city as a platform to forge connections with traders from Egypt and southern parts of Arabia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, thousands of eager tourists tromp through the winding canyons, the carved stretches of which are called siq.
Must See Sites: Travel on foot to get there and then roam around and soak it all in. Both the famous Treasury and the Monastery are not to be missed, along with the theatre.
What’s more: Colonnadded Street will net you some really funky curios. Numerous lesser known sites also await the more driven explorers.
Best Time to Visit: Visiting between March and May, or September and November seems to be ideal for the honeymooning couple.
5. Angkor, Cambodia:
One of the most famous places in the world, the primordial city of Angkor was the seat of power of the mighty Khmer Empire, which once stretched over large parts of South East Asia. But once their flag started to wane, and their time in the sun began to decline, the people of the Khmer Empire moved their capital, lock, stock and barrel; leaving a legacy that is carved into the stunning structures and temples. Abandoned in despair by humanity, Angkor was quickly welcomed back by the loving arms of the forest, which is reclaiming it stone by stone with vine over vine. Lost for ages, it was only found again in the 1860’s.
Must See Sites: The masterpiece that is Angkor Wat, the world famous temple complex of Angkor. Also, visit the lesser known, but equally magnificent Angkor Thom, an ancient fortified city.
What’s more: Explore the elaborate markets of Preah Kan; after winding your way through the little streets, you can go admire the superb carved bas-relief on the red stone cliffs of Banteay Srei.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit seems to be between October and May, if you like it dry. You can also visit between May through October if you’re a fan of rain, which lends a particularly lush green to everything around you.
6. Chichen Itza, Mexico:
Lost amidst the forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Chichen Itza is the hidden remains of the ruins of one of the most important cities of the long defunct Mayan Civilization. Noted for grandly illustrating the meeting of the Mayan and Toltec cultures, Chichen Itza will astound you with its numerous elaborately decorated, highly intricate ceremonial structures that include palaces, temples, pyramids and observatories.
Must See Sites: The Great Hall Court, the Temple of Warriors and El Castillo.
What’s more: The gargantuan Mayan site of Coba is also close by, and deserves not to be missed. The city of Merida is the best starting point to explore the historic trail of Mayan sites that make up the Puuc Route.
Best Time to Visit: The in season is during winter, which is generally from October to April. If you want to see the Descent of Kukulcan, which happens on the slopes of El Castillo, then you should plan to visit in March.
[Read More: 6 Most Affordable Honeymoon Destinations Outside India for Nostalgia]
7. Rome, Italy:
Once considered the centre of the world (all roads lead to Roma), the birthplace of the mighty and vast Roman Empire, it is home to some of the most superlative examples of that civilization’s astonishing ruins. A hot bed of history and the seat of Vatican, the fate of much of the world was decided within these very city walls. From the flowery times of the Renaissance and the brutal history of the Borgias, to the more recent times, Rome has always been at the centre of events.
Must See Sites: Duh, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Platine Hill are obvious rites of passage. Along with numerous museums and galleries that hold some of the most spectacular pieces of any similar collection in the world.
What’s more: This stylish capital also lives in the modern era, but is so full of interesting things to see. Travel Rome’s oldest road, Via Appia Antica, and visit a host of old sites such as the Catacombs of San Callisto and remarkably preserved ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. Also just a train ride away are the magnificent remains of Ostia Antica, an old Roman port.
Best Time to Visit: A gorgeous place to be in any time of the year, with the months from June through August seeing the heaviest traffic.
8. Beijing, China:
This massive modern metropolis is steeped in rich history that goes back almost 3,000 years. The seat of the Han Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty for eons, Beijing is now home to an evolving Chinese populace that is leaving the trappings of tradition and are migrating into a new era. Age-old temples reside right next to modern towers, providing a rather interesting ambiance. The mystical air of this ancient city will engender the bloom of romance.
Must See Sites: The Forbidden Palace. Period. This is not to be missed. As well as the Temple of Heaven, which is always highlighted by romantics. The Ming Tombs are also spectacular, as is the world famous Great Wall of China. Enough said.
What’s more: The Gate of Divine Prowess, Jingshan Park, Lake Houhai are all worth a gander.
Best Time to Visit: The period between September and October is considered best for travel.
9. Luxor, Egypt:
Veritably steeped in history, Luxor is bursting with it from every seam. With Cairo being the usual choice, Luxor ends up unfairly overlooked which is a monumental travesty. Monumental, get it? The site of the famous Pyramids of Giza and the Cairo Museum of Antiquities is usually enough for the layman Egypt lover. But with a surplus of sheer archaeological treasure chests, Luxor is just as culturally significant, if not more so; for this was the site of the fabled city of Thebes, (she of a hundred gates), and of the Temple of Karnak.
Must See Sites: Meander through the Valley of the Kings, where exploration and digging are still happening to this day.
What’s more: This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find no dearth of things to see and do. Explore the grandeur of ancient Egypt to the hilt.
Best Time to Visit: The most convenient time to visit Luxor is between October and April.
[Read More: The Ultimate Handbook For A Spectacular Maldives Honeymoon]
10. Paris, France:
A constant in any top 10 honeymoon destinations list, the city of romance, as it has been dubbed by the popular media, Paris is an experience in and of itself. Flaunting some of the most ostentatious segments of human history alongside some of the darkest moments of revolt, Paris is a regal paradox. Lazily indulging the river Seine, the city is full of beautiful little spots. Even in the midst of a concrete jungle, you will find a little window flower box that has no business appearing to be that colourful. Hop from one chic little coffee shop to the next, gorging yourself on croissants as you do. And remember, in Paris, there is no such thing as a time that is too early for a glass of wine.
Must See Sites: The dark allure and strange beauty of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, the inspiring air of the Pantheon of Paris, along with all the treasures at the Palace of Versailles, which is now known as the Musee du Louvre or the Louvre Museum, the resting place of the fabled Mona Lisa and her beguiling smile.
What’s more: For a trip to the other side, take a night time tour of the infamous Catacombs of Paris, if you dare.
Best Time to Visit: To see Paris at its scenic best, visit between June and August.
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