History Hound Travels

At Medieval History Timelines you can compare the timelines for persons and buildings from the time of Alfred the Great to the start of the Tudor dynasty. There are maps showing castles, abbeys and cathedrals throughout the UK, as well. And each article contains links to related sites. You can even create your own timelines, and look at virtual reconstructions. You’ll find some photos, too, and even some Google Earth Placemarks.

For those of us in the U.S., few destinations are as historically significant as London. After all, until 500 years ago, the history of England was our history, too, and they continued to run parallel for quite a while after that. The area around Westminster where the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center is located is rich in beauty and tradition. Here you’ll find Parliament, and the famous Abbey. Did you know that Henry VIII granted the Abbey cathedral status partially to spare it from the destruction many other churches suffered during his reign?

Now it goes without saying (but I’m gonna say it anyway, LOL) that you can’t see all there is to see in London in one day. You will need to find a hotel in London. If it were me, I’d try to find one that had been around for a while— like a couple hundred years, at least. After all, if you are going to England to see major historical sites, why would you want to stay in a new London hotel? The old ones have much better stories to tell.

The Ancient web is an online resource for Students, Teachers, and anyone interested in the cultures of the ancient world. That means you and me!! AncientWeb.org: The Ancient Worlds Great Civilizations has articles on several different historically significant peoples. You’ll find info on mythology and religion here as well as history. Use the menu on the left for easy navigation.

Who can resist a virtual trip to Niagara Falls? This quintessential honeymoon destination is actually comprised of three separate waterfalls and two merged but distinct cities, one in Canada and one in the US, and was the setting of Niagara starring Marilyn Monroe and Wonderfalls (a television series). The falls also provide hydro-electric power to both Ontario and New York.

Daredevils from 22 to 63 have gone over the falls on purpose, and the youngest purpose to go over by accident was just seven years old! It is now illegal to go over the falls, but people still do it occasionally. The last person to go over was Kirk Jones in 2003. Now, I have to tell you that while I would like to go to Niagara Falls, I have zero desire to go over them.

Should you wish to go, I invite you to check out this site for Niagara Falls Hotels. I like this site because in addition to the hotel listings, you can find good articles about your intended destination. Just look in the right hand sidebar for links, or start with this Niagara Falls travel guide. You’ll find enough information there to get started on your planning, and then click the links on the right even more information.

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The maps are for sale. Looking at the marvelous pictures of them is free. Antique Maps are as much works of art as sources of information. Inaccuracies aside, they are worth studying for a couple of reasons.The first I have already alluded to- they are simply beautiful. It’s obvious that early mapmakers took great pride in their work, much like those who made illuminated manuscripts.

Secondly, it gives us a pictorial representation of what those who came before us actually thought the world looked like. It’s easier to understand the ideas of Copernicus, for instance, if we can see what he “saw”.

Anyway, enjoy the site, whether for the beauty or for the education.