Pompeii is an ancient Roman city, located near Naples in Italy, at the foot of volcano Mt. Vesuvius dating back to 8th century BC. It is most known for its demise by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was once a city of 11,000 before the eruption. Serious excavations of the city started in the 1920s and work is ongoing for preserving the site.

If you find yourself in the Middle East for any reason, make your way to Petra (and Jordan in general). Jordan provides excellent natural landscapes such as Wadi Rum Desert and the Dead Sea as well as ancient civilization ruins (at Petra). The Sig, Treasury, and Monastery are the most well known landmarks of the old city of Petra.