There are only a few journeys that make you feel like a time traveler, and exploring the Roman Empire is definitely one of them.
You don’t want to just tick off the ruins you see. You want to stand where emperors once ruled, where artists found divine inspiration, and where entire civilizations rose and fell. Let us take you through these lines on a journey from Rome and Ravenna to Split, Thessaloniki, and Istanbul.
This is an expedition that moves through centuries of transformation, following the Empire’s fading glory and its astonishing rebirth as the Byzantine world. What was once a “decline” is actually one of history’s greatest reinventions. See why:
Every story about Rome starts with the obvious: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Imperial Forums. But once you walk these streets with intention, you feel something far greater than just monuments and ruins.
You’ll pass through the Salarian Gate, where barbarian forces once broke through Rome’s defenses in 410 AD, marking the fall that influenced Western history. And yet, there’s something everlasting. Rome is still Rome: chaotic, beautiful, and layered with memories that have survived everything.
If Rome was power, Ravenna was poetry. This quiet Italian city now holds some of the most exquisite mosaics in the world: glittering golds, deep blues, and endless stories told in stone.
Inside the Basilica di San Vitale, you’ll find Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora staring back at you through centuries of artistry. The precision, the color, and the devotion are breathtaking.
Ravenna usually reminds travelers that when empires collapse, their cultural and artistic expression is often what endures.
Emperor Diocletian knew what he was doing when he chose Split in Croatia for his retirement. His massive seaside palace dominates the old town to this day, blending Roman architecture with medieval charm.
Wandering its narrow alleys, you’ll find cafés, where you can sense modern life within walls built for gods and emperors. More than a museum, it’s living history: a thriving city built inside the ruins of another.
In Trier, Germany, you step into Constantine’s throne room, one of the best-preserved examples of imperial grandeur. The air feels heavy. This was a place where policy shaped nations and faith began to evolve into the Christian world we know today.
Further south, Dubrovnik shines under the Adriatic sun, its medieval walls echoing the power of Roman engineering. Walking along those ramparts, you feel the same hands that built Rome’s aqueducts inspired many cities’ fortifications centuries later.
In Greece, Thessaloniki wears its Byzantine past with pride. The churches, relics, and mosaics here bring back the ancient and the divine. It’s a place where you begin to understand that the Roman Empire didn’t vanish at all… but evolved.
And the best for last: Istanbul. Once “Constantinople”, the jewel of the Byzantine world. In the Hagia Sophia, you’ll see Roman engineering transformed by Eastern influence. The vast dome seems to float in midair, gold and light blending into something heavenly.
The “Decline, Fall, and Resurgence of the Roman Empire” tour by The Thoughtful Traveler is a living story told through cities that defined a whole era. The magic of this itinerary goes far beyond its destinations, revealing how Rome’s fall becomes Ravenna’s rise, how Split mirrors power in decline and renewal, and how Istanbul turns Roman legacy into transcendence.
It’s a trip that balances comfort and curiosity, a luxury experience with the soul of an explorer’s journey. In this tour, you can travel self-guided or be led by experts who bring these stories to life. You’ll enjoy the finest accommodations, curated dining experiences, and transportation across countries that once belonged to a single, dominant empire.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand history not just as a series of dates, but as something living and continuing to unfold around you, this is your chance. Let The Thoughtful Traveler design your journey, where marble, myth, and memory still shape the world we walk through today.
About the Author
Lawrence Cohen, founder of The Thoughtful Traveler, is a lifelong explorer who believes travel should be as enriching as it is inspiring. After decades of globe-trotting, he grew weary of checklist-style tourism and began creating immersive journeys that connect history, culture, and human stories. A seasoned traveler and author, Lawrence has visited six continents and over 40+ countries. He is pursuing a Master’s in Classical Studies at Brandeis University, and serves as a trustee of the Albright Institute, a leading archaeological organization. Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Lawrence continues to craft journeys that blend luxury, learning, and genuine discovery.
