While in Cyprus they built roads, harbors, theaters, baths, aqueducts, temples and villas.
In 1962 a farmer ploughing his field in Paphos accidentally unearthed Roman ruins, specifically, the remaining floor mosaics of opulent villas.
These mosaics are considered amongst the finest in the world. They are vibrant records of the everyday life of the Romans as well as the mythological legends of gods, goddesses and heroes.
The Archaeological Park of Kato in Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
York is a medieval walled city and holds almost 2,000 years of history within its walls.
The Romans built the city in 71 AD.
After about 800 years the Vikings captured York in 866 AD. Contrary to the popular belief of Vikings, the ones that settled in York were mainly a peaceful bunch. They farmed the land and were great craftsmen, traders, artists, engineers and shipbuilders. Over the one hundred years that York was under Viking rule the city prospered.
The city was incorporated in the 12th century and for a while was only second in size and importance to London.
York also boasts that it is the cathedral city of the archbishop of York and has historically been the ecclesiastical capital of northern England.
Volubilis, in north western Morocco, was founded in the 3rd century B.C.
In the 1st century A.D., under Roman rule, it expanded dramatically and became an important outpost of the Empire.
It was located in fertile land that was perfect for agriculture and far from the chaos of Ancient Rome.
Volubilis was an exotic paradise in the Roman Empire.
Now, the ruined Roman city is the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco.
It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
From 650 B.C. to 146 B.C., Carthage was the most powerful trading and commercial city in the Mediterranean and one of the most affluent cities of the classical world.
It had a sophisticated 200-dock harbour, a wealthy population and was a sprawling metropolis of temples, markets and estates.
The city was one of the most important trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean
It is now a residential suburb of the city of Tunis.
Amongst the 400 Roman amphitheatres that are still in existence, this among the 20 largest.
The Roman’s specifically designed their amphitheatres for putting on spectacular combats between gladiators or animals.
John is a big Francophile, so we decided to create a "home base" in Aix en Provence to explore the area and soak up the lifestyle and culture of Southern France.
The history goes back centuries.
The Romans settled here in part due to ready access to natural springs. Aix en Provence is often referred to as the city of water. As the town began to take shape during the Middle Ages, there were hundreds of fountains created for domestic use.
Now there are just 30 fountains that are still in use.
It was also home to the famous Oracle of Delphi. Pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean would visit it to receive the prophecies of Apollo through the Priestess Pythia.
Delphi is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Enroute, we had two nights in Zadar and were able to experience their famous sunset and listen to their Sea Organ.
On the north it is bordered with Slovenia, and on the south and west it is bordered by the Adriatic Sea.
It is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea.
From an Italian perspective it is considered the Tuscany of Croatia.
Or, if you look at it from a French perspective, it is considered the Provence of Croatia.
There is a mix of architecture, ranging from Roman, to mediaeval to Venetian.
Pompeii was founded by Greek colonists, probably around the 9-8th century BC. After many centuries and battles it became a Roman city.
Nearby, Herculaneum was a wealthy seaside escape for prosperous Roman citizens.
The two cities are about 11 miles apart.
They both were destroyed on August 24th AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted. The devastation of the eruption was unprecedented.
Around 2,000 people died in
Pompeii and 300 are known to have died in Herculaneum, however, the entire
death toll in the area could have been around 16,000.
Both cities are currently UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Pantheon is my favourite building in Rome. I think it is because it is so well preserved.
The exterior does not get me excited in a city of magnificent old buildings. But the interior is fascinating.
Roman legend has it that the original Pantheon was dedicated to Romulus, their mythological founder, after he ascended to heaven from that site.
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The city does a great job of lighting up their beautiful buildings, statues and monuments.
