I can’t remember the first time I learned about Hagia Sophia, but this magnificent structure has been on my mind ever since.

The incredible jewel of Byzantium, the precious possession of emperors, a building so beautiful that it became the model for many other less grandiose creations.

How intriguing to learn about it’s history, the different functions it has served, the different architectural elements that form it, the different faiths that have claimed it…

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One of the most important things you need to consider when planning a trip is booking airline tickets.

Your whole itinerary of the things you want to see and do may be affected by this decision alone.

Especially when you’re traveling across the world to another time zone and you lose some precious sleep hours.

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My entire travel philosophy is that travel should be a life-changing experience, that’s why I focus on cultural travel, because to me it’s the most rewarding kind of holiday.

Sure, sometimes you just want to chill out on some remote beach (who wouldn’t?) but whenever I can I am always looking for opportunities to learn and experience different cultures.

But how exactly can we be open enough to make the most of our cultural travel experiences? How can we say that we really saw it all?

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I am not much of a sports fan, but the 2012 Olympic Games are of great interest to me, especially when I think about their connection to the ancient Greek games.

And I should confess I was somewhat ignorant about what their association to history and culture.

But in researching about this topic and listening to historian Diana Uribe, I learned just how important they are for us as western civilization and as guardians of our heritage.

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The impact that the French Revolution in 1789 had on western civilization cannot be underestimated.

It is in large part the foundation for how most of our governments work today and it is remembered each year on July 14th all over France during their national holiday, Bastille Day.

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