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Top Historical Travel Tours, Trips & Vacations 2025/2026
1,024 History trips. Compare tour itineraries from 58 tour companies. 17,632 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.
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Diverse Experiences on Historical Travel Tours
Historical tours led by experienced guides ensure a memorable journey filled with fascinating insights and plenty of fun, satisfying your curiosity and love for history.
- Learning about the Inca civilization in Peru
- Visiting the 3000 years old Pyramids of Giza
- Exploring the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, carved into vibrant red rock
- Discovering the mysteries of Machu Picchu, nestled high in the Andes mountains of Peru
- Seeing the Colosseum and the Forum in Rome
- Marveling at the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the largest religious monument in the world
- Exploring the ruins of Pompeii, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius
- Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, once a protective fortress, now a beautiful castle
- Listening to the various theories of the purpose of the Neolithic monument, Stonehenge
- Seeing the magnificent Great Wall of China
- Finding yourself traveling back to ancient civilization while the tour guides narrate the stories
- Taking a small ship cruise to explore the surroundings
- Visiting the iconic Acropolis of Athens, a symbol of ancient Greek civilization
History Tours & Travel Guide
History Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Many tours and small ship cruises have an element of history in their itineraries. However, some of the most historical places in the world — Rome, Athens, Angkor Wat, and Egypt, to name a few — lend history the focus of their trip for true history buffs.
You can find history tours and trip itineraries that specifically cater to history lovers. Some tour operators specialize in offering historical travel tours and offer many exciting activities for hands-on interactive exploration.
Things To Do on Historical Travel Tours
A history trip is a fascinating way to journey through time and explore the wonders of history with a dedicated, knowledgeable guide. You can explore ancient ruins, dig into the mysteries of the pyramids, bust the myths about medieval castles, or stroll through the cobblestone streets — there's something for everyone on our selection of historical travel adventures.
Going Beyond the Museum
For a truly immersive historical experience, it's far more interesting to trace the footsteps of ancient people and cultures than to stare at artifacts encased in glass. The pasts represented by said artifacts come alive after experiencing the history outside the museum walls.
Luckily, the definition of a museum has evolved in recent years. Many are outdoors, follow a specific theme, and are more interactive than they used to be.
For example, a museum in Portland, Oregon, is dedicated to hats! And, believe it or not, there's a museum in France dedicated to vampires.
There are so many avenues through which you can get a sense of culture and history; your history trips will hit many of them. Food, art, architecture, clothing, and even water sources all shape the history of people and places. The information you learn on a historical vacation will significantly enhance your appreciation of history.
Interactive History Tours
Discover how ancient people used to build their dwellings, savor the taste of historical cuisine of the Victorian era, learn to dance traditional folk dances or trace the footsteps of famous authors and artists.
No matter where you're traveling, interactive history tours provide an exciting link to the past for culture explorers. Especially if you're traveling with keen learners like children, activities where "history comes alive" are an absolute pleasure and are often included on history and not-history-specific tours.
Temples, Ruins, and Castles
From the spectacular Angkor Wat temple to the proudly standing ruins of the Forum in Rome and every anglophile's dream at Lancaster Castle in the UK, history tours will undoubtedly showcase impressive architecture.
Whether they still exist intact or are mere skeletons of their former glory, buildings such as these are always engaging and interesting to visit, especially for travelers aged 18 to 30 and 50+. They also offer spectacular photo opportunities!
Popular Countries and Their Historic Sites
Some countries and cities hold immense historical importance and attract tourists and history buffs from around the world as they offer a unique glimpse into the past, waiting to be discovered and experienced firsthand.
Asia: The Cradle of Civilization
A rich tapestry of history and culture defines Asia, and many of its countries are found on historical travel itineraries, ready for exploration.
Kyoto, Japan: Famous for its numerous temples, shrines, and traditional wooden houses.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia: The largest religious monument in the world, showcasing the architectural marvels of the Khmer Empire.
Xi'an, China: Home to the Terracotta Army, an archaeological wonder depicting the army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
Varanasi, India: One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, known for its sacred ghats along the Ganges River and numerous temples.
Ayutthaya, Thailand: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive ruins of temples and palaces from the ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom.
South America: The Land of Breathtaking Landscapes
Journey through time and explore South America's vibrant history and diverse cultures, where ancient civilizations once thrived amidst captivating landscapes.
Cusco, Peru: The former capital of the Inca Empire, known for its well-preserved Incan architecture and the nearby Sacred Valley.
Machu Picchu, Peru: An ancient Incan citadel perched high in the Andes Mountains, renowned for its stunning panoramic views and intricate stone structures.
Tiwanaku, Bolivia: An archaeological site showcasing the ruins of an ancient Andean civilization, including monumental structures and intricate carvings.
Cartagena, Colombia: A colonial port city with well-preserved Spanish architecture, including forts, churches, and colorful buildings.
Santiago, Chile: The capital city of Chile, boasting historical landmarks such as Plaza de Armas, Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Chascona, the former home of poet Pablo Neruda
Europe: Immerse in Rich Cultural Heritage
Step back in time as you stroll through some of the most historic landmarks of Europe, where centuries-old architecture and a rich history and civilization unfold before your eyes at every turn.
Rome, Italy: Home to iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon, showcasing the grandeur of the ancient Roman Empire.
Athens, Greece: The birthplace of democracy and ancient Greek civilization, featuring landmarks like the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Pompeii, Italy: An ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, offering a fascinating glimpse into daily life during Roman times.
Istanbul, Turkey: Formerly known as Constantinople, this city straddles Europe and Asia and boasts a rich history spanning the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.
Middle East: Home To Many Sacred Sites
Uncover the fascinating history and culture of the Middle East, where ancient civilizations have left their mark on the landscape for millennia. From the sacred sites of Jerusalem and Petra to the grandeur of Persepolis, the Middle East is a living testament to the enduring legacy of human civilization.
Jerusalem, Israel: A holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, featuring sacred sites like the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Dome of the Rock.
Petra, Jordan: An ancient Nabatean city carved into rose-colored rock cliffs, known for its impressive architecture and tombs, including the iconic Treasury.
Persepolis, Iran: The ceremonial capital of the ancient Persian Empire, renowned for its grand palaces, ceremonial halls, and intricate reliefs.
Cairo, Egypt: Home to the iconic Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, and Egyptian Museum, showcasing the rich history of ancient Egypt.
Central America: A Captivating Blend of History, Culture, and Natural Beauty
Delve into Central America's rich history and archaeological wonders, where ancient civilizations flourished amidst lush tropical jungles and volcanic landscapes.
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala: A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, churches, and ruins from the colonial era.
Chichen Itza, Mexico: An ancient Mayan city known for its impressive pyramids, temples, and astronomical observatory, reflecting Mayan architectural and cultural achievements.
Copan, Honduras: A major Mayan archaeological site featuring intricately carved stelae, altars, and hieroglyphic stairway, providing insights into Mayan civilization.
Tikal, Guatemala: One of the largest and most important Mayan cities, featuring towering pyramids, temples, and palaces hidden within the lush rainforest.
History Reviews & Ratings
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Nile Cruise
This was a wonderful trip - I enjoyed it enormously. Visit to the temples at Karnak & Luxor Khaled Lotfy was an excellent & inspirational group leader. He ...
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postscript
Sorry, I meant to add that Exodus should perhaps delete the reference to the "library" on the cruise from the Trip Notes. The library consisted of 16 dog-eared bo...
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History in the Heat
I've always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn't disappoint. Seeing & bein...
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Nile Cruise
I do not have a very long 'bucket list', in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight ho...
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Nile Cruise Premium
I have always wanted to visit Egypt to see the antiquities, but because of the political instability I thought it would be unlikely. So when I saw this trip adver...
Traveling to History, an FAQ
1. Does Travelstride have all the tour operators?
Travelstride has the widest selection of tours and tour companies. All the largest companies are on the site and most smaller local operators though we are adding new operators daily. Unlike other websites and agencies, we show you all the options, regardless of whether or not we are paid by the company.
2. How does the Member Savings program save me money?
Travelstride membership is absolutely free. You receive special benefits including saving up to $700 on select tours with top tour operators. The main requirement is to write a review after your trip to access the savings.
3. Can I trust the tour operator and trip reviews on Travelstride?
Yes. Travelstride has both expert reviews, written by Travelstride staff and local experts as well as traveler reviews written by people like you who have used the company and traveled to that destination.
4. What does ‘Stride Preferred’ mean?
Stride Preferred and Stride Premier are status categories to help you sort quickly through known and reliable travel companies. Since there are thousands of tour operators around the globe, Preferred or Premier badges are awarded to companies that Travelstride has determined meet the highest standards of professionalism, customer satisfaction, and quality.