Architecture & Cultural Heritage

Last updated on June 22nd, 2026 at 06:34 pm

Step into the stories told through buildings, landmarks, and historic spaces old and new.

When I travel, I go out of my way to tour ancient sites, architectural gems (castles, chateaux, you name it), and cultural icons such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Architecture & Heritage Hub includes posts related to history and heritage, including cathedrals, temples, cave paintings and more.

How to Use the Architecture & Cultural Heritage Hub

Check out the posts in this hub for practical tips and stories about many of the world’s most iconic sites (with more being added every year!). Find out if you should climb up to the Acropolis in Athens. Read about some of my favorite cathedrals in Europe. Delve into prehistory at sites across Europe.

Above all, marvel at the incredible passion of the people who built monuments that startle us with their beauty and ingenuity even today.

Bangkok Temple Tour Review: Grand Palace, Wat Pho & River of Kings

If you only have one morning to tour the temples in Bangkok, which temple should you choose, and should you ...

Interior courtyard at Jim Thompson House in Bangkok

Is the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok Worth Visiting?

When I was researching what to see in Bangkok, one small museum kept popping up again and again: the Jim ...

7 Reasons a Small Group Tour Is the Best Way to Visit Ayutthaya in Thailand

With just three days to spend in Bangkok on my three-week whirlwind (and fabulous) Thailand adventure, I initially wasn't sure ...

Carol Cram in front of the formal gardens at Villandry in the Loire Valley with the chateaux in the background.

10 Best Loire Valley Castles (Châteaux): Fairytale Magic

The Loire Valley is where the kings and queens of France went to play, and looking at the châteaux they ...

Caorl Cram in front of the Seine with the Notre Dame in the evening light in the distance

H1: Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris: My Visit Since the Reopening (Skip the Line)

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has, literally, risen from the ashes and is again open to the public. If you’re visiting ...

Should You Go Up the Eiffel Tower in Paris?

Riding to the summit of the Eiffel Tower—or even to the second level—has long been a Paris must-do. Millions flock ...

View of Athens and the Acropolis of Athens: A panoramic view showcasing the city of Athens with the Acropolis prominently perched on a hilltop, highlighting its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Should You Make the Climb to the Acropolis of Athens?

Ah, the Acropolis of Athens! It is the pinnacle of Greek culture and a mecca for cultural travel. It's both ...

Carol Cram at the Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to the Roman Baths Museum

The Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England, is the city’s foremost must-see attraction. If you only have time to visit ...

The Colosseum Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)

You’ve arrived in Rome! Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Colosseum as your taxi whisks ...

Best Cathedrals in Europe for Art, Architecture & History Lovers

Europe’s great cathedrals are among the most extraordinary works of art ever created. Rising above town squares and city skylines, ...

7 of the Best Prehistoric Sites in Europe

Europe is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary prehistoric sites: ancient stone circles, cave paintings, burial mounds, and ...

About Carol Cram

Carol M. Cram is the author of five award-winning novels inspired by art and the women who shaped it, the creator of Artsy Traveler, an arts-focused travel blog, the founder of Art In Fiction, a curated database of 2,500+ novels inspired by the arts, and the host of The Art In Fiction Podcast. She also authored 60+ textbooks on computer applications and taught at Capilano University for over two decades. She lives with her husband, artist Gregg Simpson, on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC.