Rediscover these abandoned cities by traveling to see their ruins, where you can readily imagine their lost-to-time structures and civilizations.

When the lost city of Kweneng, South Africa, was discovered last year, it wasn’t because someone found a fossil there or excavated it with a shovel. Instead, archaeologist Karim Sadr relied on LiDAR technology, which uses lasers to measure distance, to create detailed images of the surrounding Suikerbosrand hills, where Tswana-speaking people first built stone settlements in the 15th century.

It was a slow process that spanned more than two years, sort of a digital version of clearing vines from a hidden temple. Sadr pored over the data looking for patterns beneath the area’s thick brush. Rounded shapes emerged on the black-and-white LiDAR images, helping to reconstruct the lives of families who lived in the stone homesteads, herded cattle, and created ash heaps (typically the remainders of feasts) to flaunt their wealth. While scientists had long believed that the hills held a series of small, lost-to-time communities, Sadr’s finds extended far beyond the aboveground ruins already visible on the site. “There was no real ‘eureka’ moment,” said Sadr, “but it seems that one day I was looking at a collection of villages and the next day I saw a city.”

Cities such as Kweneng are forgotten for a variety of reasons, and their remains have always exerted a powerful draw on inquisitive travelers. While Kweneng’s visitor infrastructure isn’t quite as developed yet, there are plenty of other rediscovered cities to visit. Whether you’re among the dusty palaces at Xanadu or walking along ancient Troy’s battlements, you can channel your inner explorer while visiting these ruins, whose cultural breadth and evocativeness show how enduring lost cities can be.

Persepolis, Iran

Achaemenid Empire kings fortified a natural stone terrace into an imposing platform when they founded Persepolis in the 6th century B.C.E., leveraging the landscape to awe-inspiring effect and military advantage. After centuries in the sand, the delicate carvings, inscriptions, and palaces of Persepolis were excavated in the 20th century. Apadana Palace dominates the oldest part of the site, where travelers will see 13 of the original 72 towering stone columns—the only survivors of a 331 B.C.E. attack by Alexander the Great. If you travel to Iran, we recommend booking through a tour operator like Intrepid, which can help facilitate visas.

Petra, Jordan

The entrance to Petra is designed for maximum impact, leading visitors from a shadowy gorge to views of soaring, tangerine-colored rock. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Petra was carved by Nabateans (who likely established it as the capital city in the 4th century B.C.E.) and is Jordan’s star attraction. It’s still easy enough to find solitude in the now-uninhabited desert site. Ditch the tour groups by climbing a steep pathway to the High Place of Sacrifice; its pair of monumental obelisks are believed to represent Nabatean gods.

Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

Founded in the 9th century, this forest city developed a unique architectural plan of stone pathways, plazas, and houses over centuries, but dense jungle swallowed them shortly after the arrival of Europeans. The five-day trek to Ciudad Perdida (the only way to get there) is an adventure in and of itself. Brave the steep, muddy trail to reach ceremonial terraces and to meet Colombia’s indigenous Kogi and Wiwa people, who are some of the site’s modern-day guardians and live in the region.

Pompeii and Herculaneum, Italy

Billowing ash from Mount Vesuvius dimmed the sky above Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 C.E., then buried the cities for nearly 17 centuries. While history this ancient often requires leaps of imagination, the tragic past remains eerily vivid here. Take a transporting walk through the cities, which are about a 20-minute drive apart, to see brilliant frescoes, visit the site of an ancient brothel, see the petrified bodies, and pay your respects in the Temple of Apollo.

Knossos, Greece

The Minoan palace at Knossos was already ancient when Homer wrote his Odyssey, and it has myth and history layered into its Bronze Age foundations. Archaeologist Arthur Evans began excavations of the site on Crete in 1900; he linked his findings of the remains of the palace to the mythological labyrinth where the minotaur—a half-man, half-bull born to a Cretan queen—lurked in darkness. While that story remains unproven, travelers can judge the creature’s legendary origins for themselves when visiting the palace’s east wing, which is adorned with a fresco that depicts three figures and a giant vaulting bull.

Caracol, Belize

Trees curl around Caracol’s stone pyramids, which the Belize jungle overtook after residents abandoned the site in the 11th century. Its architectural achievements are impressive even by modern standards: Caana, the temple complex at the heart of Caracol, remains the tallest structure in the country at 141 feet, and archaeologists believe the Maya metropolis would have dwarfed the area of today’s Belize City. Rediscovered in 1938, Caracol draws far fewer visitors than nearby Tikal—plan an early-morning visit and you might have it to yourself.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Carved high in the Andes, Machu Picchu was a fitting sanctuary for the Inca, who honored the turbulent gods of the mountains. Emptied by the fall of the Inca Empire in the 16th century, the gorgeous synthesis of peaks and fortifications have drawn adventurers to Peru since the citadel was rediscovered in 1911. Journey to Machu Picchu by footpath, bus, or luxury train, then trek to the neighboring peak of Huayna Picchu for classic views across the main site.

Troy, Turkey

A dramatic setting for the ancient world’s most consequential love triangle, Troy has a 4,000-year history that merges with myth near Turkey’s Aegean coast. Discovering Troy was a driving passion for Heinrich Schliemann, an archaeologist who used Homer’s Iliad like a treasure map and found the site in 1870. After you walk through the ancient fortifications and palaces here, see the troves they once held in the Troy Museum, which opened in October with interactive exhibits highlighting gleaming jewelry, marble statues, and other treasures.

Ubar, Oman

As camels laden with frankincense crossed the Empty Quarter of the Arabian peninsula, travelers gathered for dates and gossip at trading posts deep in the desert. Lost to the blowing sand for nearly 1,000 years, Ubar is one such site; it was found in 1992 using images taken from space. Located on the southernmost edge of Oman, Ubar is two hours inland from the Arabian Sea city of Salalah. Make the trip to see stone walls and fortifications that are rising from the dusty ground as excavations proceed.

Xanadu, China

Kublai Khan ruled his empire from the city of Xanadu, surrounded by a grassland steppe that stretched to the horizon in every direction. Located about five hours northwest of Beijing, this is where Mongolian and Han cultures mingled, and travelers debated philosophy in gracious palaces and gardens. Find the remains of that cosmopolitan capital in Xanadu’s excavated temples, stone walls, and tombs, which were abandoned to the windy plains in the 15th century.

El Mirador, Guatemala

Only an adventurous few will reach the ancient Maya city of El Mirador, which dates back to 1,000 B.C.E. and is shrouded by the largest tropical forest north of the Amazon. There are only two ways to get here: Charter a helicopter or trek two days from the road’s end at the village of Carmelita. Make the journey to El Mirador to climb La Danta, a towering pyramid whose crest swells above the surrounding canopy.

Dr. Marc Siegel shares his top tips for preventing illness on the road

Travel is a big part of the holiday season, with statistics showing that more than 119 million Americans plan to embark on some type of journey between Christmas and New Year’s.

Unfortunately, traveling also increases the risk of getting sick — but there are steps you can take to increase your chances of staying healthy while away from home.

“When you’re traveling, when you’re on the road, there’s a lot of risk of stress and disorientation,” Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

“You’re not in your usual habitat, and that can make people disoriented, upset, anxious or even sleep-deprived, especially when changing time zones.”

Siegel shared some of his top tips for preventing illness during holiday travel.

1. Stay well-hydrated

Staying hydrated has been shown to boost the immune system and protect against illness.

Water is always best, but other hydrating fluids include plain coffee or tea, sparkling or flavored waters, 100% vegetable juice, and milk or milk alternatives.

2. Keep up with your exercise routine

It’s best to travel while “well-exercised,” Siegel said.

“If you have a regular exercise routine, I wouldn’t suspend it a week before travel,” he said.

“If you’re regularly exercising, sleeping right and eating right before you go, I think that that puts you in much better shape when you’re traveling.”

3. Wipe down surfaces

Siegel said he’s a “big believer” in wiping down surfaces, especially when traveling by plane.

“You wouldn’t believe what these surfaces carry — we’ve studied that,” he said. “There are a lot of germs in that tray table, and it’s the person next to you who could be sick.”

4. Stay up-to-date on vaccines

“When you’re about to take a trip, it is a good time for you to think about whether you’re up-to-date on your vaccines,” Siegel said.

One immunization that isn’t given enough attention, according to the doctor, is Tdap, a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

It is given at least once every five to 10 years.

“There’s a ton of whooping cough around this year,” Siegel said. “Thousands of cases are reported, but many thousands aren’t.”

The doctor also recommends the shingles shot for those over the age of 50 and the pneumonia vaccine for people 60 and older.

“When you’re under stress from travel, that might be when you could get sick,” Siegel said, as the immune system isn’t functioning at an optimal level.

“That’s when shingles might reappear,” he warned. “Shingles is actually a chickenpox virus that’s dormant in your body for years, but can recur at times of stress.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that everyone 6 months and older receives COVID and flu vaccinations, with rare exceptions.

5. Pack a travel health kit

For those who take multiple daily medications, the doctor recommends traveling with one pill bottle and putting the various pills in it, making it less likely for any to get misplaced.

“Make sure you have more than enough,” he advised. “You never know when you’re going to get delayed, especially around holiday travel.”

Siegel recommends bringing three or four extra days of pills for all medications.

“Depending on what chronic illnesses you may have, it’s a good idea to be up-to-date with blood draws and visits to your doctor” before traveling, he added.

6. Get sufficient, quality sleep

It can be challenging to maintain a regular sleep cycle while traveling, Siegel noted, especially when time zones are changing.

“The more you can catch some winks while traveling, the better off you’re going to be,” he said.

For those who have trouble falling asleep while on the road, Siegel recommends identifying what makes you drift off at home and using those same techniques.

“I get asked a lot for sleeping aids,” he said. “For people who are traveling on long trips, I personally am uncomfortable giving medication if the patient hasn’t been taking it already.”

7. Use masks as needed

While masks “got a bad name” during the pandemic because of mandates, Siegel noted that they are tools that can be used for those who are ill or at a higher risk.

“If you’re a person who’s at risk of an infectious disease or has a chronic illness, the last thing you need is to get the flu, COVID or RSV.”

The doctor recommends considering a mask for tight spaces where there are a lot of people around.

“You don’t know what they have or what they are harboring,” he said.

“That’s why I would consider one, especially if you’re at high risk.”

Overall, Siegel said, “staying hydrated, eating right and sleeping properly as best as possible is the way to go in decreasing stress while traveling.”

Such is England’s reach on popular culture, you may think you already know the country before you visit. Though if you’re expecting to be surrounded by a bunch of well-heeled James Bonds or a gaggle of eccentric Monty Python characters, then think again.

But while the everyday English aren’t quite the same as how they’re portrayed in film, television and books, this is a country with a number of peculiarities that are good to know before visiting, especially when venturing outside of London. From practicalities like train prices to etiquette tips on how the English approach queueing, it’s always important to be ahead of the game when visiting this wonderful and varied country.

Here are a few key things to know before traveling to England.

You may need a jacket, even in summer

Preparing for all types of weather is an essential part of the English experience. England’s maritime location in the wild North Atlantic means that even in summer, biting winds and untimely rain showers can unexpectedly scupper a balmy afternoon.

That doesn’t mean you need to take an umbrella everywhere, but just pack a jacket in your suitcase and always check the weather on whatever app you use. As a rule, London is usually a couple of degrees warmer than other parts of the country.

And if not, we’ll still discuss the weather

It’s in our blood, a part of our national psyche. And the more lamentable the forecast, the more likely we are to talk about it. Come rain or shine, prepare to offer an opinion on the day’s weather, and express that it’ll hopefully brighten up as the week goes on.

Train prices can get steep

Unlike some other countries in western Europe, England’s train system was privatized many years ago and this, along with other factors, has lead to some of Europe’s highest train prices.

Try to book ahead of time and look out for cheap advance fares. While not as quick as train travel (and certainly not as romantic), coaches such as National Express and Megabus offer far cheaper prices when traveling across the country and are highly recommended for those on a budget.

There’s a whole world outside of London

London’s big, bold, and full of iconic English landmarks and experiences. But it isn’t everything. If you have the time to explore beyond the capital, you’ll discover a variety of landscapes, people, and cultures.

From the wild coastlines of Cornwall to the soaring hills of the Lake District, there’s much to see in this ancient land.

Crossing the English Channel means different plug sockets

Yes, England is in Europe but it doesn’t always play by European rules (in more ways than one). If you’re backpacking around Europe, remember that the UK and Ireland use type G plug sockets (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern) so make sure you have the right power adapter when arriving in England as it differs from the rest of the continent.

Many museums are free

England is home to many of the world’s greatest museums and you won’t need to pay a penny to enter some of them. Especially great for rainy days in London, you can peruse dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum or masterpieces by Turner at the National Gallery and spend the money saved at the pub later on.

Pronouncing place names will be a challenge

Alongside some truly bizarre place names, England also has several towns and counties that aren’t pronounced the way they are spelled. Names with a -ter suffix are particularly notorious for this.

Bicester is pronounced biss-ter rather than bi-ces-ter, Gloucester is pronounced gloss-ter rather glou-ces-ter, Leominster is pronounced lem-ster rather than Leo-minster. You get the picture.

Hit the beer garden when the sun comes out

The English need no excuse to go to the pub on a sunny summer afternoon and sitting indoors is almost unthinkable. Find a table in the beer garden at the local boozer and order in a few cold pints. Job done.

Expect to hear a different accent in each region

Traveling just a few short miles in England can often mean a change in accent, so train your ears to prepare for this. Regional accents are hugely diverse and, while they’re still noticeably English, can be difficult for even fellow countrymen to understand.

The accent you’ll hear in Birmingham (“Brummie”) differs wildly to what you’ll hear when you arrive in Newcastle (“Geordie”). London is a separate case as it’s so cosmopolitan that you can expect to hear a variety of different accents and languages throughout the day.

Never jump a queue

Sometimes polite to a fault, the English are very orderly when queueing and those who jump a queue can expect stern looks and grumbling at the very least. So get in line and patiently wait your turn to avoid any awkward situations.

You’ll hear “sorry” a lot

Even in situations where the fault lies with you, you might receive an apology. Only Canadians say sorry more than the English so get used to hearing it and, eventually, saying it.

English food has come a long way

Stereotypes about the English are often amusing and sometimes painfully true, though the one about the poor standard of English food can be comfortably consigned to history’s trashcan.

Towns and cities across the country are now dotted with superb restaurants offering a strong emphasis on fresh and locally grown produce. You’ll find cuisine here from all over the world too, amid an ever-growing list of Michelin-starred restaurants.

As has its beer

The pub is a rite of passage here and the English love a pint of beer. But England has grown out of its cruel 1970s caricature of warm stale beer and these days there are myriad styles to sample, up and down the country.

From real ales at historic Victorian pubs to craft beer at bright modern taprooms, choose from sours, stouts, saisons, New England IPAs and beyond.

Summer is festival season

From Glastonbury in June to Reading and Leeds in August and everything in between, there are lively music festivals running throughout the summer in England. No matter what week you’re here, there’s bound to be a festival on somewhere.

There are also a plethora of smaller festivals that are often great value and easier to navigate too, such as Birmingham’s superb Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival.

If you encounter any health issues, you’ll be in good hands

Visitors from EU countries will be covered for some treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) if they fall ill during a visit by using their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors from non-EU countries that have a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with the UK may be also be covered for some treatment needs, particularly emergencies.

Measurements can be confusing

Don’t be surprised if you get into a metric muddle. For some things, the English use metric measurements and for other things we use imperial. Though metric measurements became legal in the UK back in 1875, Britain has never fully transitioned to using metrication in all situations. Roads are still measured in the imperial unit of miles for example, and height is often discussed in feet and inches.

Are you looking for an extra-special spot in which to propose, planning the dream honeymoon or simply seeking somewhere especially amorous to take your other half on holiday? Whatever the reason, these dreamy destinations — from Croatia and the Caribbean to India and Italy — are perfect for an unforgettable trip. Here’s our pick of the world’s most romantic getaways.

1. The Maldives

We wanted to argue against the Maldives to avoid the obvious. But how can you not fall for tiny specks of warm-weather paradise where transparent turquoise seas lap ivory-white beaches? Where jungly interiors hide spas; where you’ll find spectacular restaurants, some of them underwater; where vast villas let you descend straight into the sea or come with their own private plunge pool? Where butlers attend to your every need then melt away, magically, and where days can be spent together watching dolphins, toasting blood-orange sunsets or alone on an empty sandbar? Where the snorkelling is astonishing and the real world seems like a whole solar system away? Answer: you can’t.

2. Malawi

This one might be less obvious, but hear us out. First of all, safaris in general — with the option to spend all day with an expert, hawk-eyed private guide, including sundowners at a scenic spot, before relaxing inside huge, lamplit tented suites — are effortlessly romantic. Malawi has two terrific (and blissfully uncrowded) spots for this purpose: Majete is prolific in terms of the big five, while beautiful Liwonde supplies amorous boat trips along its palm-studded river. Both have top-notch luxury camps. Then there’s the clincher: Lake Malawi, a huge freshwater expanse with secluded island resorts, golden-sand beaches and water sports from snorkelling to kayaking. Sorted.

3. France

Yes, Paris is a cliché, but for good reason. Whether strolling hand-in-hand through Montmartre’s intimate lanes or sipping champagne high up the Eiffel Tower, the French capital is one of the most romantic places in the world. The self-styled “City of Love” oozes passion, from Rodin’s erotic sculpture The Kiss, to the Wall of Love — where over 300 declarations of love are inscribed in multiple languages. After a candlelit bistro dinner for two on the Champs-Élysées, take a walk along the lamplit Seine — the very heartbeat of Paris.

4. The Caribbean

With coral reefs, palm-fringed beaches, and a lilting calypso vibe, the Caribbean is perfect for an intimate getaway together. The best time to visit for dry, warm days is from December to April. The most romantic destinations include Cuba, set to a salsa pulse of Latin love, and gorgeous St Lucia: its needle-sharp Pitons and secluded beaches lend a touch of paradise for budding cupids.

5. Iceland

Looking for the perfect place to pop the question? There’s a volcanic black-sand beach at Jokulsarlon where chunks of stranded sea ice sparkle like diamonds. Bathe in the warm geothermal waters of the world-famous Blue Lagoon and luxuriate in local mineral-rich silica spa treatments together before embracing the otherworldliness of the northern lights.

6. The Seychelles

The Seychelles is the definition of a loved-up destination, not least for honeymooners seeking beach holidays. With brilliant white sand, crystal-clear azure waters, sparkling corals, and a selection of world-class adults-only resorts, it’s one of the most romantic getaways on earth. Snorkel with turtles, browse black pearls in the boutiques of Mahé, or settle in for a drink watching blood-red sunsets illuminate the warm Indian Ocean.

7. Croatia

Irresistibly Instagrammable, the Dalmatian coast of Croatia is the ultimate tonic for couples seeking quality time together. Explore craggy limestone coves and islands by boat or lace up your boots to wander around the red-tile-roofed Unesco world heritage locations. Try avoiding peak summer, when cruise vessels overwhelm this coast. Instead, choose the shoulder seasons on either side to enjoy a more bearable Mediterranean climate, quieter old town streets, plus intimate bars in which to toast your love with some Dalmatian wine from the coast’s sunkissed vineyards.

8. Greece

With Sappho’s erotic poetry and Byron’s romantic verse, Greece has long been a favourite with lovers and romantics. There are hundreds of islands to explore, promising a vast array of amorous holiday options for couples. You might spend your days exploring historic Athens — perhaps Lycabettus Hill for its smouldering sunsets — or toast the volcanic beauty of popular Santorini by the swimming pool with a crisp assyrtiko. Younger couples can party the night away on Mykonos, while older hands may reaffirm their vows in historic Delphi at the foot of Mount Parnassus.

9. Italy

Italy is a paragon of love and one of the world’s most romantic destinations — from a gondola ride on the Venetian canals to Tuscany’s rural idylls. Yet the Amalfi coast, particularly, is a visual and sensual aphrodisiac. The 15th-century Duchess of Amalfi’s ultimately tragic life was defined by amore along a coastline framed by unforgettable vistas and coves. Positano’s picturebook hillsides of pastel-shaded houses enchant, while amid glorious gardens and the operatic setting of Ravello, couples can gaze lovingly at spellbinding sea views from Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity.

10. India

Could the 17th-century Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, be the most romantic figure in Indian history? His dedication to his departed love, Mumtaz Mahal, led to the construction of the ivory-white marble mausoleum of Agra’s Taj Mahal — at the heart of India’s Golden Triangle. A fabulously romantic holiday would explore Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, perhaps on a luxury rail journey. Besides the sublime Taj Mahal, seek out an Ayurvedic massage for two in Delhi.

11. Scotland

Take the famous steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and you can expect to be moved by lochs, castles, and mountain glens where golden eagles fly. Smokestacks and rattling rails might sound like a holiday for train buffs rather than a romantic getaway — yet the scenery in Scotland is divine. Imagine, en route, a cosy dinner for two, perhaps in a castle, enjoying local venison before retiring with a peaty whisky in front of a roaring fire. That’s how to sample the true earthy romance of the Scottish Highlands.