My favourite historical trip would be Gettysburg. Not just for what it means in historical terms but to pay tribute to the Irishmen who fell on the field of battle regardless of which side they were on. There's a monument to the Irish Brigade who fought courageously and helped save the day for the Union. It's a Celtic Cross, sculpted by an Irishman who fought for the Confederacy
There are so many monuments there you'll take days to find it!
However, as a non-knowing Civil War person, its a great place to go. America know how to include all at these places, whatever your age, knowledge or ability!
I've been lucky to have visited many cities (mainly European) with tremendous histories. Now number one on my "must see" list is the Golden Ring in Russia. Not that this is sensible to undertake in the present political climate...
More viable alternatives in the short term are the Belgian/French World War One battlefields, the Normandy beaches, and Sicily.
I have two dream trips one is visiting historical Great Britain. I want to see the castles, Runnymede, Hadrian’s Wall, everything I’ve been reading about. I’m a tactile person, and I want to touch the walls, and see everything right in front of me. The other trip I’d love to take is the Lewis & Clark Trail — not all of it, but west of Ft. Mandan. The western part of the Trail has been less affected by the intrusion of people. I want to see the land the way Lewis & Clark saw it — pristine and beautiful.
Runnymead is really no more than a small hill but theres a great little cafe and it's nice to sit and think there..
Now Hadrians Wall... Amazing all the way. Near the beginning from the west (furthest from Newcastle) is a monument to where Edward I died. Thoroughly recommend
next time I'm in Naples I have to get a good look inside the Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo. Neapolitan royal history is super entertaining. Where you off to, Dan?
My historical trip would be to the UK. There's something incredibly fascinating in knowing that each step you take, you're walking in history. Wherever you go, you're moving through some forgotten part of history. It's tangible, traceable, and very addictive.
Comparatively, Australia is such a young country. Sure, we have the history, but you can't step into any town or city and see it - at least, not in the way I imagine on the other side of the world
Ohhh this is hard! I have been the UK many times but have mostly stuck with the southern highlights. I would love to do a 6 week driving tour of the North, The Midlands and Wales - if I have time I will hit Scotland. So many historic sights to visit and I particularly would like to hit the sites of the major battles and castles of the Wars of the Roses.
My top two are Hampton Court and Normandy Beach where the D-day landings occurred. If I could have a third, I'd pick The Plains of Abraham in Quebec, Canada. The decisive battle for Canada was fought there. When the English won, "New France " and the rest of Canada was handed over to the English and the rest, as they say, is history. The ripples of that battle are still felt here even though I'm on the opposite coast. Fascinating stuff!
At first I read it as where in history would you like to travel and as a military historian, my immediate reaction was NO WHERE! But in modern times, I would love to go to visit some WWI battlefields.
I find that interesting as WW 1 is a major part of my national identity as a Canadian. We learn about Vimy Ridge and Ypres in 10th grade social studies. Good luck with your book. It needs to be written.
As an American, WWI is particularly difficult to find information on. There isn't any real way to portray ourselves as the Great American Heroes, so we just pretend it didn't happen.
My goal is to write a book about things that Americans should know about the First World War. I have an outline, but I'm still getting the actual thing together!!
Great post Dan, of course. Fantastic question, too. In the Before Times (before Covid) my husband & I experienced over 85 countries. I've done the Tudor thing many times & could easily do it again. There's a villa in USVI we're partial to, the secrets of Venice are enchanting, however my dream trip would be Morocco or the Canary Islands or maybe the Maldives. Thanks for asking. Cheers & safe travels!
Right now, my husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland. The husband graciously tolerates my history obsession and even seems interested at times. I am planning on a private tour with the Montebank Comedy Walk and I want to do another, slightly more hardcore, history tour with a historian. These Edinburgh tours will tick a couple of boxes off my dream site list. I have so many. I haven’t been to Hampton Court and that is extremely high on my ever fluctuating bucket list. I want to see all of the things they don’t show to the average tourist. How do I get in on that action?
My UK dream history trips that I’ve not done would be Bletchley Park, Blenheim Palace and Westminster Abbey. My ultimate overseas dream history trip would be to Pearl Harbor.
Hi Dan. I’m looking forward to reading all about your travels! I am finally going to England this year for ten days in June. What are your top recommendations for travelers going to England for the first time? History related of course! Thank you.
My favourite historical trip would be Gettysburg. Not just for what it means in historical terms but to pay tribute to the Irishmen who fell on the field of battle regardless of which side they were on. There's a monument to the Irish Brigade who fought courageously and helped save the day for the Union. It's a Celtic Cross, sculpted by an Irishman who fought for the Confederacy
Isn’t it funny- the Irishman wants to see the American battlefield and the Americans just want to see castles? (I’m fully including myself here…)
There are so many monuments there you'll take days to find it!
However, as a non-knowing Civil War person, its a great place to go. America know how to include all at these places, whatever your age, knowledge or ability!
I had no idea! You've given me another thing to research. 😊
I've been lucky to have visited many cities (mainly European) with tremendous histories. Now number one on my "must see" list is the Golden Ring in Russia. Not that this is sensible to undertake in the present political climate...
More viable alternatives in the short term are the Belgian/French World War One battlefields, the Normandy beaches, and Sicily.
I have two dream trips one is visiting historical Great Britain. I want to see the castles, Runnymede, Hadrian’s Wall, everything I’ve been reading about. I’m a tactile person, and I want to touch the walls, and see everything right in front of me. The other trip I’d love to take is the Lewis & Clark Trail — not all of it, but west of Ft. Mandan. The western part of the Trail has been less affected by the intrusion of people. I want to see the land the way Lewis & Clark saw it — pristine and beautiful.
Runnymead is really no more than a small hill but theres a great little cafe and it's nice to sit and think there..
Now Hadrians Wall... Amazing all the way. Near the beginning from the west (furthest from Newcastle) is a monument to where Edward I died. Thoroughly recommend
next time I'm in Naples I have to get a good look inside the Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo. Neapolitan royal history is super entertaining. Where you off to, Dan?
My historical trip would be to the UK. There's something incredibly fascinating in knowing that each step you take, you're walking in history. Wherever you go, you're moving through some forgotten part of history. It's tangible, traceable, and very addictive.
Comparatively, Australia is such a young country. Sure, we have the history, but you can't step into any town or city and see it - at least, not in the way I imagine on the other side of the world
Ohhh this is hard! I have been the UK many times but have mostly stuck with the southern highlights. I would love to do a 6 week driving tour of the North, The Midlands and Wales - if I have time I will hit Scotland. So many historic sights to visit and I particularly would like to hit the sites of the major battles and castles of the Wars of the Roses.
My top two are Hampton Court and Normandy Beach where the D-day landings occurred. If I could have a third, I'd pick The Plains of Abraham in Quebec, Canada. The decisive battle for Canada was fought there. When the English won, "New France " and the rest of Canada was handed over to the English and the rest, as they say, is history. The ripples of that battle are still felt here even though I'm on the opposite coast. Fascinating stuff!
At first I read it as where in history would you like to travel and as a military historian, my immediate reaction was NO WHERE! But in modern times, I would love to go to visit some WWI battlefields.
I find that interesting as WW 1 is a major part of my national identity as a Canadian. We learn about Vimy Ridge and Ypres in 10th grade social studies. Good luck with your book. It needs to be written.
As an American, WWI is particularly difficult to find information on. There isn't any real way to portray ourselves as the Great American Heroes, so we just pretend it didn't happen.
My goal is to write a book about things that Americans should know about the First World War. I have an outline, but I'm still getting the actual thing together!!
Great post Dan, of course. Fantastic question, too. In the Before Times (before Covid) my husband & I experienced over 85 countries. I've done the Tudor thing many times & could easily do it again. There's a villa in USVI we're partial to, the secrets of Venice are enchanting, however my dream trip would be Morocco or the Canary Islands or maybe the Maldives. Thanks for asking. Cheers & safe travels!
Morocco and Istanbul are on my bucket list. I want to wander the bazaars and find a magic carpet.
Right now, my husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland. The husband graciously tolerates my history obsession and even seems interested at times. I am planning on a private tour with the Montebank Comedy Walk and I want to do another, slightly more hardcore, history tour with a historian. These Edinburgh tours will tick a couple of boxes off my dream site list. I have so many. I haven’t been to Hampton Court and that is extremely high on my ever fluctuating bucket list. I want to see all of the things they don’t show to the average tourist. How do I get in on that action?
To be able to visit all the castles in the uk.
My dream history trip would have to be St. Petersburg, Russia.
St Petersburg is amazing. I went there when I was studying history at uni as part of my trip to Russia
My UK dream history trips that I’ve not done would be Bletchley Park, Blenheim Palace and Westminster Abbey. My ultimate overseas dream history trip would be to Pearl Harbor.
Hi Dan. I’m looking forward to reading all about your travels! I am finally going to England this year for ten days in June. What are your top recommendations for travelers going to England for the first time? History related of course! Thank you.