The Best Historical Organized Tours in Western Europe
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries
Are you ready to embark on a captivating journey through time in Western Europe? We've meticulously analyzed a wide range of historical and cultural guided tours in Western Europe, considering key criteria such as price, comfort, guest ratings, service, and activities, in order to find the absolute best. Whether you seek a relaxing holiday filled with rich heritage or an adventurous exploration of historical landmarks, these amazing organized tours, holiday packages, and tour packages have it all. So, for your next trip, one of these historical tours should have everything you could want because they are the absolute best available. Let's get to it!
The Best Historical Tours through Western Europe
Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.
Why does Western Europe appeal to history enthusiasts?
Western Europe captivates history enthusiasts with its wealth of historical sites, spanning from ancient times through more recent history. Rome, Paris, and London offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Rome is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. These regional destinations provide a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure in an affordable package. Plus, the fun and easy itineraries make for a stress-free adventure while creating lasting memories.
How much do historical tours in Western Europe cost?
The average daily price of Historical Tours in Western Europe is $271 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Historical Tours in Western Europe here.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Historical Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer historical tours in Western Europe. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Contiki
Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
CIE Tours
CIE Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 5 countries, including Ireland, Great Britain, Iceland, and Italy. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
MacBackpackers
Focusing on Great Britain, MacBackpackers is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.
See All Tours from MacBackpackers
Historical Destinations in Western Europe
Wondering where historical tours visit in Western Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Rome
Rome is the capital city of Italy, and for many visitors it serves as the entry and departure point of their trip. Rome is filled with ancient ruins hidden next to modern development. It's a history enthusiasts dream. The city is also filled with cafes and Italian restaurants where you can sip wine and dine on Italian pasta dishes.
London
London is a world class international city that has charming neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. There are a diversity of attractions that offer something for everyone. Although prices can be steep, there are many free activities as well, with wandering the many markets being a favorite of many visitors.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Italy's famous Tuscany region. It's a city filled with some of the world's most famous and beautiful art and architecture. There are many iconic sights including the famous Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the The Galleria dell'Accademia where you'll find Michelangelo's David. The city is also filled with cafes and shops where you can buy fine Italian items or souvenir knockoffs.
Venice
Venice is one of the most popular attractions in Italy, and at times it does feel more like an attraction than a city. But that doesn't mean that it's not truly beautiful and romantic - a not -to-be-missed stop on any Italian itinerary. Part of the experience in Venice is simply getting lost. Tucked away in the hidden corners you'll find what really makes this city one-of-a-kind.
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Other popular destinations for historical tours through Western Europe include Blarney, Waterford, Vatican City, Tuscany, and Capri.
Historical Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Before deciding to book a tour or handle the planning yourself, it's important to consider the aspects of each travel style.
Organized Tours
- Learn detailed stories and context from expert guides.
- Visit significant landmarks efficiently.
- Access exclusive areas not open to the public.
- Guides bring history to life with engaging narratives.
- Save time on researching destinations.
- Enjoy a curated itinerary of top historical sites.
- Guides answer questions for deeper understanding.
- Group tours can provide a social learning experience.
- Avoid logistical challenges like tickets or reservations.
- Guides help connect the dots between events and eras.
- Less flexibility in the itinerary.
- Group size might impact the experience.
Independent Travel
- Full control over your itinerary and pace.
- Focus on sites that interest you most.
- Flexibility to spend more time at certain locations.
- Explore at unconventional hours to avoid crowds.
- Customize your trip around niche historical themes.
- Requires time-consuming research to plan.
- Risk of missing key details without a guide.
- May overlook important or lesser-known sites.
- Difficult to understand the full historical context.
- Navigation and logistics can be more complex.
- No expert to answer questions during your visit.
- Potential for long waits without pre-booking tickets.
- Self-guided tours may lack the interactive element.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel cheaper than guided historical tours? The answer is not simple. Tours provide many of the services that you would otherwise pay for yourself on an independent trip. Hotels, transportation, food, entry tickets, guides, and activities are provided on organized tours, whereas you would pay for everything separately on your own. To deterine the difference in price, you would need to compare the combined price of everything in a tour with everything you would book separately. Sometimes you might want to stay in a cheaper hotel, or eat at a more expensive restaurant, so the price of a tour could be more or less than what you would otherwise pay on your own. Make sure you know what is included before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
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