Where to go on World Thinking Day

Who were the most renowned philosophers, intellectuals and inventors? As today is World Thinking Day, we wanted to celebrate nine of these great individuals and inspire you to follow in their footsteps.

Visit Tuscany, the birthplace of the hugely influential Italian astronomer, physicist and philosopher, Gallileo. He was born in 1564 in Pisa and played a major role in the scientific revolution of the 17th century.

Best known for its iconic leaning tower, Pisa is a city full of must-visit gems for the discerning traveller. From the splendour of the Cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Assunta and the Baptistery of Pisa to the exciting museums and galleries such as the Museum of Opera del Duomo, the National Museum of Palazzo Reale and the Palazzo Blu art gallery, Pisa truly is a cultural hub.

You can even take a tour inspired by Galileo himself, which includes a visit to see the house he lived in on Palazzo Bocca.

Take a trip to Paris and get to know the city where Marie Curie undertook her pioneering work in the field of radioactivity research. There is even a museum dedicated to her ground-breaking work, the Musée Curie.

Paris is teeming with lots of other world-class museums such as the epic Musée du Louvre, the Musée Rodin and the Musée National Picasso to name but a few.

Of course, you can’t visit Paris (particularly for the first time) without going to see the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré-Cœur and the Panthéon. When in Paris, do what the Parisians do and flâner which essentially means to stroll around and experience the city – it’s certainly the best way to see all those iconic landmarks!

If you are looking for a fabulous staycation, why not pay a visit to Lincolnshire? Located on the east coast of England, Lincolnshire is a pretty county that is full of contrasts. From the countryside with its rolling hills, hidden valleys and quaint villages to its award-winning coastline which offers one of the best places in the UK to spot breeding grey seals. Lincoln is a vibrant city that is steeped in history – a visit to the striking Lincoln Castle where the 1215 Magna Carta was signed is an absolute must.

Science fans should head over to Woolsthorpe Manor – the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton and learn more about his scientific breakthroughs such as the discovery of the three laws of motion -- inertia, acceleration, and action & reaction – which remain a mainstay of modern physics.

A delectable combination of ancient civilisations and modern culture - Syracuse continues to attract visitors from all over the world and was the birthplace of Archimedes, the ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, physicist and inventor who is widely considered to be the greatest scientist of the classical age.

Admirers of Archimedes should visit the Archimedes' Museum where you can see replicas of the inventions that made him famous during his lifetime. Syracuse, which is in the south east part of Sicily, has an impressive array of fascinating sights and monuments such as a 2nd century-AD amphitheatre, the archaeological museum and the Cathedral of Syracuse.

From street art and quirky coffee shops to lively bars and restaurants, Berlin is a vibrant city full of things to do and see. Berlin has several famous landmarks to visit including the Brandenburg Gate, the remnants of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Holocaust Memorial.

Berlin is where one of history’s greatest thinkers – Albert Einstein lived. His theories of relativity led to new techniques of looking at gravity, space, time, matter and energy.

Often referred to as the cultural capital of Europe, Berlin boasts an impressive directory of museums and galleries, many of which offer free entry at certain times of the month.

Greece’s capital is a delectable combination of history, ancient architecture and culture. Visitors to the city will see Neoclassical buildings nestled against modern structures.

Known as the birthplace of Greek philosophy, take a walk around ancient Athens in the footsteps of one of the founders of Western philosophy - Socrates whose "Socratic method," was the cornerstone for the groundwork for Western systems of logic and philosophy.

Why not download the MCMS app which will locate your position in the city via GPS and will provide you with insight as you meander throughout the city? Peruse the iconic landmarks such as the Pnyx Hill, Philopappos Hill and of course, the world-famous Acropolis.

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and was the birthplace of Hypatia of Alexandria, a leading philosopher, mathematician and astronomer.

It is Egypt’s most important cultural capital and its desirable location on the Mediterranean Sea attracts millions of visitors each year. It has an extraordinary history and even today has a wealth of interesting attractions to see, including the temple of Serapeum, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Qaitbay Fort and the Pharos of Alexandria Lighthouse and more.

Located in the south of the country, Leiden has been one of Europe's most prominent scientific centres for more than four centuries and was where renowned philosopher, mathematician, and scientist Rene Descartes uttered those immortal words ‘I think, therefore I am’.

Despite its impressive educational credentials, there is so much more to Leiden than just research and books. Take a canal boat ride along the picturesque canals and head to the beguiling old town which is widely regarded as one of the Netherlands’ hidden gems.

When you think of Holland, two images that spring to mind are tulips and windmills. Leiden is home to the Museum De Valk – the oldest windmill in the country. Leiden was also the first location where the first fields of tulips were planted. One of the must-see places in the city are the Leiden Botanical Garden where you can even take a guided tour.

With more than 2000 years of history, the Eternal City of Rome is a sight to behold. Think historic archaeological sites and ancient ruins, baroque churches and more.

It is also home to some of the most internationally recognised symbols of Rome – the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel in The Vatican where renowned painter, sculptor and architect Michelangelo created one of the most stunning ceiling paintings ever. Both the vault and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are widely regarded as one of the most influential artworks of all time and a foundational work of Renaissance Art

To find your perfect break in Rome or in any of these thrilling destinations, why not give your Personal Travel Expert a call today?