Top Europe Historical Tours - page 3

Experience London’s traditional pub scene—and discover historical drinking dens that most visitors miss—on this small-group, half-day tour. Accompany your guide to the history-saturated City of London, and visit at least four noteworthy pubs (drinks separate expense). Pop into centuries-old alehouses, see literary haunts favored by writers such as Charles Dickens, and learn about local drinking culture as you explore.

Specifically designed for cruise guests, this tour lets you see three major attractions: the House of Virgin Mary, the Ephesus ruins, and the Temple of Artemis. You won't have to plan any of the logistics. Direct transfers from Kusadasi Port save you the hassle of figuring out transportation, and your attraction tickets are included. Choose from group or private tour options to suit your preferences.

Make the most of your valuable vacation time by avoiding the long line at the Vatican Museums. You save hours of waiting time by booking a group tour with skip-the-line admission. Follow your guide on a carefully crafted itinerary and hear informative commentary as you admire the art and architecture. Admission is included to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica (depending on the option selected).

Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

Explore the crown jewel of medieval Granada on a tour of the Alhambra, and gain skip-the-line entry to the Moorish palace and fortress complex. Together with the Generalife Gardens and Albaicín., they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the Nasrid dynasty as well as Muslim, Jewish, and Christian history during a walking tour with your informative guide.

Make the most of your precious time in Florence with priority entrance tickets to the world-famous Accademia Gallery, best known as the home of Michelangelo's 'David' statue. Beat the crowds that are a constant at this popular attraction, and head straight inside the hallowed halls to feast your eyes on the iconic sculpture plus masterworks of Renaissance painting by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and many others. Stay as long as you like during museum opening hours, and view the art at your own pace.

Home to masterworks from Botticelli and Michelangelo (including the original 'David' sculpture), the Accademia Gallery in Florence draws significant crowds. That's not a problem on this group tour, however. Beat the crowds with skip-the-line admission, which maximizes your time to explore. Plus, you’ll tour the gallery with a guide—audio headset included—and learn insights about the masterpieces that you'd never get on your own.

Especially in peak season, the lines at the Palace of Versailles can be hard to believe. On this eminently civilized guided tour with a round trip transportation from Paris. Your guide will show you the most magnificent of the 2,000 rooms, including the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s State Apartments, and the King’s Private Apartments, then introduce you to the magical 2,000-acre (800-hectare) gardens.

Avoid the crowds and explore Irish history in peace on this Book of Kells and Dublin Castle exterior tour. Visit the Trinity College Library, home to the famous Book of Kells—widely considered among the most important of all Ireland’s ancient treasures. Listen as your guide brings medieval Ireland to life, shedding light on the Book of Kells’ profound historical significance. Afterward, enjoy a guided walking tour around Dublin Castle’s mighty exterior. Visit the gardens and yards, and learn of the castle’s role as court, fortress, treasury, and jail.

Add a bit of legend and enchantment to your German vacation with a full-day trip to the UNESCO-listed castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich. Relax for the scenic drive through the Bavarian Alps, then spend hours exploring both of the former royal residences. Conclude with free time in the charming village of Oberammergau.

Discover two gems of southern England on this full-day coach trip to Stonehenge and Bath. When booking, choose to include entry to one or multiple sights—or leave it out for a flexible experience. Visit the UNESCO-listed, ancient marvel that is Stonehenge; explore the Roman Baths; and/or explore the Jane Austen Centre. Whatever you pick, enjoy classically English sights and scenery.

Discover the famous beauty of one of Italy’s most iconic shorelines with this full-day tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento. Travel in an air-conditioned mini-coach along spectacular coastal roads, stopping to visit the region’s three most popular and beautiful villages—Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. With tips from your knowledgeable guide, enjoy leisure time in each town to stroll narrow cobblestone streets and shop for unique handmade goods.

Explore Zaanse Schans and the Dutch countryside this tour from Amsterdam. With an informative guide, admire the lush, canal-crossed Dutch landscape. Take a tour of pretty Zaanse Schans, famous for its wooden windmills and green-painted houses, and visit a cheese farm and clog-making workshop to learn about these traditional crafts. Lastly, visit a working windmill to learn about the role of windmills in the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age.

See Milan's main sights and landmarks and take advantage of your skip-the-line admission to Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' by booking this action-packed, small-group tour. Follow your knowledgeable guide through the streets of Milan, stopping at spots like La Scala opera house, the magnificent gothic Duomo and Sforza Castle. And then stroll right past the line to see the Da Vinci masterpiece depicting Jesus and his disciples eating their last supper.

The Colosseum and Roman Forum shouldn’t be missed when visiting Rome—but exploring each site alone, it can be hard to make sense of the ruins. On this guided tour, enrich your visit with in-depth context and stories from a guide. Plus, you’ll get access to the arena floor within the Colosseum, an area usually off-limits to visitors. Upgrade to include a stroll through the underground dungeons.

Avila and Segovia are two of Spain’s oldest cities, dating back to the 11th century and 700 BC respectively. Explore them both in depth on a full-day guided tour from Madrid in which you will learn about the various religious and cultural influences on each. Marvel at impressive Roman, Medieval, Moorish and gothic architecture and the regal interiors of Catholic cathedrals and ornate castles.

Discover the sacred and artistic treasures of the Vatican on a group tour led by an art historian guide. Avoid waiting in long lines with included priority admission tickets, and see some of the most important masterpieces in the Vatican Museum’s immense collection. Learn the stories behind the art through your guide’s commentary and enhance your understanding of the art.

See Charles Bridge, the Lesser Town, Jewish Quarter, Old Town, and Prague Castle on a city walking tour of Prague. This full-day sightseeing excursion includes a traditional Czech lunch and a 1-hour boat cruise on the Vltava River. Hear insightful commentary from a professional guide along the way, and fit more in than you could if you were touring on your own.

Experience the glamorous resort towns, white-sand beaches, and ocean views of the French Riviera on this full-day small-group tour. With an extended itinerary, you’ll visit Antibes, Eze, Saint-Paul de Vence, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Explore the local market in Antibes, admire the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, and see the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Nice.

Explore the intricacies of two famed Italian handicrafts on a fully guided day trip from Venice to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano with a group of up to 22 people. Watch centuries-old glassblowing techniques in Murano, and marvel at the detailed stitches of exquisite Burano lace. Your knowledgeable guide will share the history of these two artisan islands while you visit local workshops and wander the picturesque streets.

As amazing as the archaeological sites in Athens are, they’re far from the only Ancient Greek wonders nearby. Join this historical tour and leave the city for a trip to Delphi, once thought to be the center of the world. See the Temple of Apollo—nicknamed the "Navel of the World"—then the Delphi Archaeological Museum. Please note: admission tickets are not included unless you've selected the option when booking.

The Colosseum is one of Rome's top attractions, so make the most of your visit on a guided tour that gives you special access to enter the amphitheater's arena via the same entrance that gladiators once used for their battles. Once inside, explore the ancient landmark with a guide, and then head outside to tour the archaeological area of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Explore the wine region of the Douro Valley on this guided day excursion. Feast your senses on the Douro’s many magnificent wineries, restaurants, and viewpoints. Visit two prime wineries where you'll be introduced to some of the region’s best varietals. Learn about the history of the wine heritage with the help of your guide and local winemakers. Of course, no trip to the Douro Valley would be complete without tasting a few world-class wines and a traditional Portuguese lunch.

The Catacombs of Rome are a popular attraction and you can bypass the long lines outside with this exciting excursion. This tour also gives you skip-the-line access to the Capuchin Crypt and Basilica San Martino ai Monti, making it a great pick for travelers short on time. See Rome's mysterious side with a guide who knows the history well, so you can get more out of your visit.