8 Ways to Ruin Your Vacation

Romantic, mysterious and more or less falling apart, ancient ruins are the true thrillers of the traveler's landscape. "Ruins evoke contrast between what is lost and what is retained, and between civilization and nature," Claire Lyons, Curator of Antiquities at the famous J. Paul Getty Museum has said. Read on for eight ways to "ruin" your vacation, but beautifully, at these ancient sites around the world. 
1
Delphi, Greece
Remote, dramatic, mystical: that's ancient Delphi in Greece, in antiquity home of the Oracle of Delphi. The rocky mountain setting adds to the allure of the theater, Tholos, and (if you can find it) the oracle itself.
2
Ephesus, Turkey
The ancient Greek city of Ephesus is found in present-day Turkey, along the country's Mediterranean coast not far from the modern city of Izmir. It was oneof the 12 cities of the Ionian League. The façade of its iconic Library of Celsus is actually an ancient Roman building.
3
Chichen Itza, Mexico
The pyramids in Giza, Egypt are more famous but the huge step pyramid at the heart of the complex of Mayan ruins on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula known as Chichén Itzá is no less impressive. Its the archaeological highlight of the Yucatán Peninsula and the ancient city itself dated from 600 A.D. to the up to the 1200s.
4
Leptis Magna, Libya
The ruins of Leptis Magna on Libya's coast almost seemed designed to amaze. This was a thriving ancient Roman city left remarkably intact despite the passage of time. The Arch of Septimius Severus, Severan Basilica and theater are some of the more evocative relics on the large site.
5
Pompeii, Italy
Pompeii was a vibrant Roman resort city until the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD completely destroyed it, leaving it buried under volcanic ash for centuries. As a consequence of that natural disaster, the city's myriad artistic treasures were marvelously well-preserved, making Pompeii a repository of culture unique in the world. 
6
Kourion, Cyprus
There are many Greco-Roman theaters from antiquity, but only Kourion on the island of Cyprus is built into the northern slope of a clifftop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It traces its origins back to the late-second century BCE. At the site, you can also visit the mosaics of the House of Eustolios and House of Achilles, as well as an ancient bath complex. 
7
Palmyra, Syria
The ancient city of Palymra is famous as a Roman ruin, but its roots stretch back even farther than that to Neolithic times. Historically a crossroads city, it has suffered considerable destruction recently at the hands of ISIS, but the eviction of the group from the site gives hope that what ruins that do remain will eventually be restored. 
8
Machu Picchu, Peru
The Incan ruins of Machu Picchu date from the 15th century, making them much more recent than ancient Greek or Roman ruins, but their setting amidst lofty peaks of the Andes Mountains is truly spectacular. You can "ruin" your vacation with some great photo opportunities in this sprawling and mysterious mountaintop citadel.