The assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BCE is one of the most famous events in ancient history and one that has been widely popularised in works of art, books, and movies, including Julius Caesar (1953), Cleopatra (1963), and the series Rome (2005).

Between 60 and 70 senators, led by Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus, had plotted to assassinate him in opposition to the level of power and influence he had amassed after his appointment as perpetual dictator of the Roman Republic. The plan was to stab him when he attended the senate meeting set for that date.

Despite warnings from a seer, Caesar ultimately decided to leave the Regia, his official residence as Pontifex Maximus, that evening and attend the summons for a senate meeting to be held in the Curia of the Theatre of Pompey, since the Curia Julia was undergoing construction work. When he arrived he was stabbed 23 times and died in the site, the remnants of which can be found today when visiting the archaeological area of Largo di Torre Argentina.

The beginning of the Viking Age is often associated with the raid to the monastery of Lindisfarne, also known as the Holy Island, which took place in 793 AD, likely on the 8th of June. This event has been popularised by recent depictions of the event in series such as Vikings (2013).

The Holy Island is a tidal island located in Northumberland, where a monastery to several saints relevant to Celtic Christianity were worshipped, and which served as a pilgrimage site for many Christians at the time of the raid. Many monastic treasures were looted, and many of the monks were killed or enslaved. This is probably one of the reasons why the attack caused great consternation to the western catholic kingdoms.

Although the monastery raided by the Vikings was destroyed, a new monastery was bult in its place, which ruins can still be visited today, along with the Lindisfarne Priory Museum housing several artifacts found on the site. You can also experience the rising tide which converts Lindisfarne into an island and visit the Lindisfarne Castle.

The most famous and one of the deadliest eruptions of Mount Vesuvius occurred during Roman times, specifically in 79 AD. Although the exact date of the eruption was originally placed between 24 and 25 August, based on interpretations from the transcripts of Pliny the Younger’s letters to Tacitus, the exact date is currently debated with environmental and archaeological evidence suggesting that the date of 24 and 25 October, in the autumn and after the harvest, is far more likely.

The eruption buried the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae, for which Titus, as the emperor reigning at that time, organised significant relief efforts. The finding of these well-preserved settlements, centuries later, made the eruption famous and it was popularised by works of art, literature, and cinema.

You can visit these sites today, with Pompeii being the most popular and extensive, Herculaneum being relatively better preserved, and with other lesser known Roman villas around Castellammare di Stabia which are also very well preserved.

The signing of the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede, near Windsor, marked a pivotal moment in the history of governance. This document was drafted as a peace treaty between King John of England and a group of barons alienated by heavy taxation and failed military campaigns, laid the foundation for modern democracy and rule of law, including the idea that no one is above the law—not even the king.

Pressured by rebellion, the king met the barons at Runnymede, a meadow along the River Thames, to agree to a series of clauses limiting royal authority and protecting the rights of free men. Although the charter was annulled shortly after, its legacy endured, influencing constitutional law across the world.

Today, you can explore the historic meadow, which features memorials, including the Magna Carta Memorial and the John F. Kennedy Memorial. A surviving copy of the four original 1215 copies Magna Carta can be seen at Salisbury Cathedral. The cathedral itself is an architectural masterpiece, making it a perfect complement to the journey into this transformative event.

On 25 December 800 AD, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. This event marked the revival of the Western Roman Empire and solidified Charlemagne’s role as a unifying figure in medieval Europe. His coronation symbolised the merging of Roman, Christian, and Germanic traditions, laying the groundwork for centuries of European history.

Visitors to Rome can retrace the steps of this monumental event at St. Peter’s Basilica, which stands on the same site as the original basilica where Charlemagne was crowned. Remnants of the original Basilica, built by Constantine in the 4th century, can be visited in the Vatican Necropolis beneath modern St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican Museums also hold architectural fragments and artworks from the old basilica, such as mosaics and carvings. To delve deeper into Charlemagne's legacy, a trip to Aachen, Germany, where his imperial court was based, is highly recommended. Aachen’s Cathedral houses his throne and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On 25 March 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scots at Scone Abbey, marking a critical moment in Scotland’s fight for independence from England. The ceremony took place under the shadow of the Stone of Destiny (Lia Fáil), a symbol of Scottish sovereignty.

The years following the coronation were marked by a relentless struggle, culminating in Robert’s historic victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, securing Scotland’s independence. His reign laid the foundations for a united and independent Scotland, with his legacy immortalized in Scottish history and culture.

Today you can explore Scone Palace, built near the original abbey, which preserves the site’s royal connections. The Stone of Destiny, long housed in Westminster Abbey, was returned to Scotland and can now be seen in Edinburgh Castle. Nearby, Bannockburn Heritage Centre offers an immersive experience of Robert’s greatest triumph, while sites like Dunfermline Abbey, his burial place, provide a connection to his enduring legacy.

The travels of Marco Polo in the late 13th century are among the most famous journeys in history. Born in Venice, Marco Polo embarked on an epic adventure, journeying to the court of the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan in China. His travels, detailed in the book The Travels of Marco Polo, introduced Europeans to the wealth, culture, and wonders of the East, including descriptions of the Silk Road and its bustling cities.

Marco Polo praised Hangzhou as “the finest and most splendid city in the world”, where you can still admire its iconic West Lake, with its temples and gardens, including the Lingyin Temple. The Grand Canal is a key artery of trade and transportation that he likely traveled to Suzhou, which is known as the "Venice of the East.

In Beijing (then known as Dadu or Khanbaliq), he marveled at the grandeur of Kublai Khan’s palace, a precursor to the Forbidden City. The city's Drum and Bell Towers still stand as echoes of the Yuan capital he described. He also likely encountered the Great Wall, which protected the empire's northern frontier. Exhibits at the Venice Maritime Museum also serve to explore the Polo family's voyages, making it a great starting point for any journey into his world.