Top Historical Trips Around the World

Morning Time at Valley of the Kings in Luxor City
Morning Time at Valley of the Kings in Luxor City | © Tanatat pongphibool / Getty Images
Nick Dauk

Senior Travel Writer

Book your way through the sands of time and journey into the past on these historical Epic Trips.

Loved by over 40s

The world has a wealth of history waiting to be explored and the best way to uncover it is first-hand. From unrecorded times to the events of yesterday, you’ll find each country brimming with an exciting and inspiring past. Where better to learn about the ancient Greeks than on a cruise of the Greek islands? How better to interpret religious texts than by visiting holy sites with members of the religions that revere them? When your wanderlust and quest for knowledge are one and the same, these trips are your living history lessons.

Pretty and historic hillside buildings in Fira at sunset; the light hits the sea water at the foot of the hill

See an unfinished temple and the Acropolis as you island-hop around Greece

Embark on your own odyssey around ancient Greece on this exciting eight-day trip. You and a small band of voyagers will island-hop to the volcanic landscape of Milos and the unfinished ancient temple of Portara on Naxos, plus take an unforgettable trip to the mainland to wander around the Acropolis in Athens. History welcomes you into every port, and if you’re seeking a deep dive, Atlantis Books in Santorini has a well-read history lesson ready to stick in your backpack.

From US$2056

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

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ENDS AT

Santorini Island, Greece

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Silhouette of woman looking at the facade of the sandstone-carved Tomb of the Roman Soldier; a man is at the entrance

Explore Petra and visit the Roman Theatre of Amman in Jordan

The adventurous and the academic alike will love this nine-day expedition through Jordan. It goes without saying that an afternoon spent wandering ancient Petra will send you into a state of awe, especially after hiking through sandstone mountains to reach the back entrance. Visits to Amman’s Roman Theatre and other archaeological treasures will guide you through the city’s history. For a more intimate view of yesterday, you’ll attend a cooking class with a local family to prepare traditional meals and spend the night with a Bedouin family in Wadi Rum to learn how they’ve prospered in the Jordanian desert for generations.

From US$2379

Next available from 6th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Amman, Jordan

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ENDS AT

Amman, Jordan

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
Wall and columns on a kiosk at the ancient Egyptian temple of Isis in the island of Philae by the Nile

Get up close to the pyramids, temples and the Nile in Egypt

Egypt may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you plan to party and travel, but just wait until you experience a felucca cruise along the Nile. The best way to travel solo in Egypt is by joining a trip, and this 10-day option takes out all the hassle, leaving you free to socialise. Start by visiting the pyramids of Giza, before travelling south to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. From here you’ll board your Nile cruise ship for a multi-day voyage upriver to Aswan, where you’ll have a cocktail party as the sun sets over the country.

From US$1868

Next available from 5th Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cairo, Egypt

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ENDS AT

Aswan, Egypt

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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A view of Splits charming European skyline

Sail from a palace to a former military base around the Dalmatian coast of Croaita

An eight-day journey into Croatia’s countryside will leave you in awe of the nation’s natural beauty, as you island-hop your way around the glorious Dalmatian coast. After exploring the ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, you’ll head over to Hvar, one of the sunniest islands in Europe. Next up is a visit to Vis, a former Yugoslav military base where nature has taken hold, before you set sail again for the olive groves and vineyards of Korcula. The historical trip ends in Dubrovnik, after you’ve explored the best of the Dalmatian coast.

From US$1844

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Split, Croatia

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ENDS AT

Dubrovnik, Croatia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Gabriella Clare Marino Pantheon of Rome, Italy

Visit Rome's ancient attractions in Italy

This nine-day tour of Northern Italy starts in the capital, Rome, where we’ll fast-track past the crowds to the Colosseum, tuck into authentic food at a local lunch spot and seek out the best of the city’s baroque architecture. From here we’ll take a high-speed train north – for art and history in Florence, and a taste of the Tuscan countryside between Siena and San Gimignano. We’ll jump back on the high-speed line to Bologna and Emilia-Romagna for two days stuffed with gourmet foodie experiences, before zipping into Milan – for designer shops, jaw-dropping architecture and a day-long train excursion to Lake Como.

From US$

Next available from 1st Jan 1970

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Rome, Lazio

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ENDS AT

Milan, Lombardia

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting to this article.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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