I have recently vowed to myself to do a bit more research on my future destinations before I arrive. Not of cafes or hostels, but of a place’s history.  That way, I can gain a better appreciation while I’m there. And not just what I slept through in high school history class, ancient history, too.

We’ve all heard the legends of cities swallowed up by water, or left in ruins from epic battles that are scattered throughout the textbooks. Visiting a place that is millennia old, is an extremely powerful experience.

Although some of the stories of these ancient cities have yet to be proven, this Telegraph photo gallery takes you toto the remains of the cities you can visit right now. While in various degrees of ruin, you can wander through the remains of Troy, what has been rebuild of Babylon, and the more well known, and similarly stunning  sites of Machu Pichu, Angkor Wat (pictured above), and others.

Who says traveling isn’t educational? My teachers would be so proud.