LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 14, 2017 / Europe is literally built upon layers of history, not just in terms of the ancient Greek and Roman ruins that sit side by side with modern constructions, but going back tens of thousands of years to when Neanderthals left their artist mark on cave walls. For anyone with an interest in history, visiting Europe is a must. Diamond Resorts International® Timeshare leader in vacation ownership properties with more than 370 destinations worldwide - including hundreds throughout Europe - has put together a short list of some key European history excursions for anyone heading to the continent.

For a truly European experience, take a castle vacation. They may be frightening and formidable or graceful and fairy tale-like, but there are few images that evoke or relate to history as much as a castle. Diamond Resorts International® Timeshare experts recommend taking a look online at the different styles and historical periods that you may be most interested in, as they vary tremendously by region and will help to narrow down a route of exploration. The castles built by King Ludwig of Bavaria (1845 – 1846) are models of fairy tale delight, with the famous Neuschwanstein Castle whose white walls and blue roof and tower served as the model when Walt Disney constructed his Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle. The Czech Republic, Austria and Germany are home to spectacular examples, while many castles in Ireland and England double as hotels to provide a totally immersive experience.

A tour of the Roman World can span from Italy all the way to the English countryside. Some of the Roman sites in the UK include the Roman Baths of Bath, Hadrian's Wall, which was built in 122 AD, the Fishbourne Roman Palace and Portchester Castle where visitors can see the only remaining Roman structural walls in England. Of course, enthusiasts can spend weeks touring the sites of Rome such as the Vatican, Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Constantine's Arch and of course the buried city of Pompeii where time has stood still ever since Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

Military history vacations may be another thematic way to develop an itinerary. Certainly the many sites of wars spanning the past one hundred years are a draw, such as the memorials, museums and bunkers on the beaches of Normandy can be seen, along with other important sites scattered throughout Europe, including Venice, Luxembourg and Munich.

Europe has been well documented for centuries through canvas and oils, making an art history vacation one of the most satisfyingly educational, say Diamond Resorts International® Timeshare professionals. Visit Madrid, which is saturated in art with the Prado and Reina Sofia museums where amazing Goya frescoes are on display. Most art lovers will find a tour of Paris and the French countryside immediately familiar through the works of Impressionist masters such as Monet and Renoir.