Bettany Hughes has been a fixture on British tv for greater than twenty years. The 56-year-old historian and TV presenter has a particular experience in historical instances and is a sought-after lecturer. She’s written a number of bestselling books, from her first—Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore—to her most up-to-date, The Seven Wonders of the Historical World: An Extraordinary New Journey By means of Historical past’s Biggest Treasures, out on April 23.
Hughes lives in London however spends a lot of the 12 months overseas, logging about 75,000 miles within the air. Her favourite service is Sri Lankan Airways, a legacy from when she was taking pictures a present specializing in the traditional Buddhist world. “We had plenty of delayed flights, and each time there was a delayed flight, they helped with a stunning pot of ginger tea in a silver teapot,” she says. “Even after I was flying economic system, they taken care of me.”
Listed below are some hard-earned hacks Hughes has picked up whereas trekking in all places from the deserts of Turkey to the backwoods of Cambodia.
By no means apologize for double-packing.
I at all times pack two suitcases, even when meaning there’s extra to pay. They’ll have both similar issues in each, or nearly a replica, kind of like mirror suitcases. It means should you lose one, you’ve nonetheless received sufficient garments. I first traveled alone after I was 15. I hadn’t been overseas earlier than, and I traveled on my own to Italy, to be within the Alps with somebody I simply met on the seaside that summer time.
I used to be so afraid of the thought of ending up there and being a sort of burden. That’s after I began the double-packing factor: two tiny, similar suitcases. I made a schoolgirl error final October, touring to Trieste, Italy, to do a public lecture. “For as soon as,” I assumed, “I’m going to take one bag. What might go unsuitable?” And Lufthansa misplaced it. It meant I used to be caught with out my make-up, my garments. It did flip up 4 or 5 weeks later, however I’d discovered my lesson.
Attempt these two tips should you’re fearful about creepy-crawlies.
After I was researching not simply Angkor Wat but additionally Angkor Thom—which is behind Angkor Wat, and a bit extra distant—I used to be actually going out into the wild, the place the tree roots are sort of thigh-high and also you’re hacking your manner via the bushes. I had a information with me, and I admitted that the one two issues I’m petrified of in life are the darkish and snakes. He stated, “Don’t fear, look what I’ve received in my pocket.” It was a lemon. He stated, “I promise you received’t get bitten.”
Whether or not that’s true or not, I now at all times carry at the very least a slice with me always. It does imply on the finish of massive travels I typically find yourself with a barely shriveled slice of lemon in my pocket. I additionally put on Clarks desert boots, which go simply excessive sufficient up your leg that you just’re not going to get bitten. They’re simply above ankle-snakebite degree.
Need an insider’s information to Athens or Istanbul? That is the need-to-know.
The way in which to expertise Istanbul is by boat, as a result of town is laced with waters. You will get on a ferry that goes from one finish of the Bosporus to a different or throughout it, that basic factor: Journey from Asia to Europe for lower than a greenback on a ferry. And go to Athens and stroll down Adrianou Road, which is the primary pedestrian avenue, and look left. You’ll truly see the Oath Stone the place Socrates was tried. Additionally on the opposite facet, nearly immediately reverse, is the painted stoa the place we get the phrase “Stoics” from.
Observe this protocol anytime you propose to take footage.
Always remember you’re a visitor in another person’s nation. That’s at all times my place while you arrive: You’re a visitor, and you’re fortunate to be there and must earn the respect of your host. No matter you’re filming with, whether or not it’s a digital camera or an iPhone or no matter, respect the place and ensure you’ve received permission.
And I don’t imply authorized permission, however buy-in from the folks you’re with. Make eye contact, make buddies. At all times say, “Is it OK if I take a photograph?” I used to be filming on the Jordanian-Lebanese border, and we sat down in a restaurant that was filled with Hezbollah. We didn’t notice that, and it might’ve been very sticky. However the truth that we took the time to clarify what we have been doing—that I used to be doing one thing on the historical past of Mars, the god of struggle—we have been allowed to proceed. If we’d simply barreled up and brought over, with out taking the time, it might’ve ended very badly.
Go right here for an different to the overcrowded excavations of Pompeii.
The Turkish-Syrian border has among the richest archaeology, spanning 12,000 years of human historical past. There’s a spot known as Zeugma, an historical metropolis that was occupied by the Romans, initiated simply after the time of Alexander the Nice, and an extremely wealthy border city. It was on the border of what was then the Persian Empire. The extent of element of the mosaics which were found there are simply extraordinary; there are ranges of preservation which might be nearly as good as Pompeii.
A fast method to sense-check the protection of a brand new place? Depend on animal intuition.
I do a “stray pet verify” after I land someplace I’ve not been earlier than. I at all times take a look at how pleasant the canine and cats are. In the event that they’re cowering, then folks don’t deal with them effectively, and it’s essential to have your wits about you. If the canine are extremely pleasant, then that’s a superb signal, as a result of it exhibits individuals are being form to them. I’ve simply come again from Georgia, within the Caucuses, and I can’t let you know how pleasant the canine have been. They have been like emotional assist canine.
Two worthwhile souvenirs to purchase in each vacation spot.
Wherever I’ve traveled on the earth, I’ll at all times purchase a shawl and a pot of honey. If anyone is aware of my packages, I at all times have principally a suitcase filled with scarves. I discovered that wherever you journey, they’re a sunshade, they’ll wipe sweat, they’ll hold you heat, they usually can work as a tourniquet should you get into hassle. So I’ve this extraordinary collection of scarves that I carry with me, from Indian bazaars, souks in Istanbul, Albanian villages. They’re undoubtedly not Hermès, however they’ve their very own authenticity and honesty to them.
And I’ve an archaeological assortment of honey in my kitchen—a complete facet wall. I’ve come again with saffron honey from Azerbaijan. As an historian, I do know that honey lasts typically for hundreds of years. I’m nonetheless by no means in my lifetime going to get via the provides of honey that I’ve received, as a result of I actually deliver them again from each single location I’ve been to.
Two Greek islands price a particular journey.
I like the Greek islands. You count on them to be wonderful, however Icaria is so lovely. It’s the place Icarus supposedly died when he fell to the bottom, and it’s nearly utterly unspoiled. There are freshwater springs; there aren’t many vehicles. There’s a person known as the Odysseus of Honey who travels round by boats getting recent honey from the bees. It’s a fairly dreamy island. And go to Naxos, one other Greek island, the place lots of the marble got here from to construct the Greek sculptures. However there they have been quarrying out a sculpture, in all probability Dionysus or Bacchus, the god of wine, and stopped midflow within the facet of the mountain—a half-finished statue. You possibly can nonetheless see the chisel marks.
