AROUND THE WORLD · HISTORICAL TOURS

Best History Trips Worldwide — Our Top 15

25 tours  ·  from $22 a head

The 15 best history trips you can book anywhere in the world, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Douro Valley: Historical Sites, Wine Experience, Lunch & Cruise - São Leonardo da Galafura at 640 meters
Douro River Cruises, Historical Tours, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Douro Valley: Historical Sites, Wine Experience, Lunch & Cruise

1.Douro Valley: Historical Sites, Wine Experience, Lunch & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,133 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $107Our pick

Leave Porto at 7:30 a.m. for Amarante, São Leonardo da Galafura, Régua, and Pinhão. Enjoy a traditional lunch, a 50-minute Rabelo boat cruise, and a guided vineyard visit with three wines. Guides may include Christian, Simmy, Cuber, Rita, or others, depending on the departure.

“Well organized tour with great views of the Douro valley. An excellent value with decent food and wine tasting/wine parings. Check the weather carefully since it would be much less nice on a rainy day.”

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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise - The meal: useful convenience, mixed value
Historical Tours, River Cruises, the USA River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

2.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,948 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, with narration on New Orleans, the Mississippi, Hurricane Katrina, and the Battle of New Orleans. You will go ashore at Chalmette Battlefield for a guided visit, with food and drinks available for purchase onboard.

“We had a wonderful day. Boat was fun and food was great. Everybody on the boat made us feel like family.”

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Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan - Hells Gates, where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean
Australia River Cruises, Historical Tours, Morning, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

3.Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,193 reviews · from $111

Depart Strahan at 9am for a six-hour cruise through Macquarie Harbour, Hells Gates, Sarah Island, and the Gordon River. Expect live commentary, a guided Sarah Island walk, buffet lunch, and a rainforest boardwalk. Upper-deck seating includes lunch and morning tea, while main-deck seating includes lunch.

“Wonderful! The cruise sails throughout the Gordon river viewing the dense rainforest on the banks. The boat had comfortable seating indoors and on the deck. Trip to Sarah island was great and our tour guide shared some fun facts and stories about the convicts and local timber industry . Lunch is served fresh on the boat. This is a must do when in Strahan.”

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Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch - Sarah Island: Tasmania’s penal settlement in one hour
Australia River Cruises, Historical Tours, Lunch Experiences, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

4.Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,143 reviews · 6 hours · from $109

Spend six hours cruising from Strahan through Hells Gates and Macquarie Harbor, with a guided Sarah Island visit, Gordon River rainforest walk, local Tasmanian lunch, and Huon pine sawmill stop. Guides such as Lyle, Maggie, and David bring the convict story to life.

“Friendly and helpfulstaff. Bonus was Rob was our skipper. Perfect weather and we loved the whole experience. Thoroughly recommended.”

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From Bangkok: Historical Day Tour to River Kwai - The early start from Bangkok
Bangkok River Cruises, Historical Tours, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Bangkok: Historical Day Tour to River Kwai

5.Historical Day Tour to River Kwai

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 868 reviews · 10 hours · from $51

Travel from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi with an English or Thai-speaking guide such as Luke, William, Woody, or Jokey. Visit the war cemetery and Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, cross the River Kwai bridge, ride the original Death Railway track, and enjoy lunch before returning to Bangkok.

“Pros: Overall great trip, enjoyed seeing historic sights, train ride and countryside. Con: Would have liked a ittle bit more time at museum.”

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Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart - Choosing between the north and south routes
Australia River Cruises, Historical Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

6.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 570 reviews · from $25

Cruise from Murray Street Pier through Hobart Harbour and along the Derwent River. Choose a morning, afternoon, lunch, or dinner sailing. Expect views of the Botanical Gardens, Tasman Bridge, Battery Point, Sandy Bay, and eastern-shore bays, with live commentary from the captain.

“Lovely hourtrip up up to and under Derwent Bridge, turning around and returning to dock. Good commentary along the way.”

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Porto: Douro Valley History & Wine Tour with Cruise & Lunch - Starting beside Porto Cathedral
Douro River Cruises, Historical Tours, Lunch Experiences, Portugal River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours

Porto: Douro Valley History & Wine Tour with Cruise & Lunch

7.Douro Valley History & Wine Tour with Cruise & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 433 reviews · 10 hours · from $104

Spend 10 hours traveling from Porto to Amarante and the Douro Valley by air-conditioned minibus. Visit São Leonardo da Galafura, eat a three-course regional lunch, taste three ports at a wine estate, and cruise from Pinhão on a traditional Rabelo boat.

“Guide on boat should have a microphone great trip but only a few people heard what she said”

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Krakow: Vistula River Cruise with Historical Views - Starting below Wawel Hill
Historical Tours, Krakow River Cruises, Poland River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Krakow: Vistula River Cruise with Historical Views

8.Vistula River Cruise with Historical Views

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 357 reviews · 1 hour · from $22Best value

Cruise for one hour from Powiśle Street past Wawel Castle, Kościół na Skałce, the Norbertine Monastery, Kościuszko Mound, Kazimierz, and Podgórze. An English or Polish audio guide adds context, while the small boat keeps the ride calm and personal.

“The boat was old and you can't listen the guide because of the noisy engine,but after a long day you can relax and enjoy the ride in the river”

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Sacramento: City Cruises River Cruise with History Guide - Starting at 1206 Front Street in Old Sacramento
Guided, Historical Tours, River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, the USA River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sacramento: City Cruises River Cruise with History Guide

9.Sacramento: City Cruises River Cruise with History Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 280 reviews · 1 hour · from $31

Cruise the Sacramento River for one hour from Old Sacramento with live English narration, views of Tower Bridge and the I Street Bridge, and chances to buy snacks and drinks. Arrive early for upper-deck seats, since outdoor seating is limited and narration may be harder to hear upstairs.

“Really fun and beautiful river cruise! The Captain's narration was really interesting about the the history of the river. He explained about the seals coming into the river to catch fish. Grandkids loved the sparkle face painting lady with her beautiful costume! Wonderful experience!”

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From Punta Cana: History and Culture Tour with River Swim - From resort roads to a working countryside
Historical Tours, Punta Cana River Cruises, River Cruises, the Dominican Republic River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Punta Cana: History and Culture Tour with River Swim

10.From Punta Cana: History and Culture Tour with River Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 275 reviews · 5 hours · from $31

Spend about five hours beyond Punta Cana’s resorts with guides such as Robinson, Francisco, Wester, or Franklin. Visit a countryside home, taste coffee and cocoa, see Higüey Basilica and its market, enjoy Dominican food, watch cigars being made, and finish at Macao Beach. Some options add horses and a river stop.

“Amazing experience! Very nice and friendly tour guide, fun activities, 100% recommended!”

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Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise - The Chicago River: architecture with a working-waterway story
Chicago River Cruises, Historical Tours, River Cruises, the USA River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise

11.Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 246 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $47

Board a historic Chicago fireboat at 111 N. Lakeshore Drive for about an hour on the river and an hour on Lake Michigan. Guide Cliff and the crew explain architecture, firefighting, and city history with humor. Expect open bow seating, an enclosed warm area, bathrooms, and snacks and drinks for sale.

“Amazing tour in a restored active duty Chicago fireboat. Guide had an amazing amount of Chicago knowledge. Much fun!”

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River Kwai Day Tour from Bangkok – History, Scenery & Culture - Leaving Bangkok for Kanchanaburi
Bangkok River Cruises, Historical Tours, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

River Kwai Day Tour from Bangkok – History, Scenery & Culture

12.River Kwai Day Tour from Bangkok – History, Scenery & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 206 reviews · from $97

Travel from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi in a small group of up to 15. Visit the war cemetery, JEATH Museum, River Kwai Bridge, and Tham Kra Sae, then ride the Death Railway and eat lunch by the river. Guides such as Rach and Oom are praised for strong historical commentary.

“Great tour that takes you back in time to see the Bridge over the river Kuai and ride the actual train that the POW'S and other citizens rode in. The stop at the cemetery was very moving.”

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Portimão: Silves & Arade River History Tour on a Solar Boat - A quiet boat with a social guide
Historical Tours, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Portimão: Silves & Arade River History Tour on a Solar Boat

13.Portimão: Silves & Arade River History Tour on a Solar Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 148 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $49

Settle into a small solar boat for a 4.5-hour trip from Portimão to Silves. Your English or Portuguese-speaking guide, often Pedro, Ricardo, Carlos, or Antonio, shares river stories as you watch birds and countryside. Explore Silves for 90 minutes, then return with a glass of wine.

“Very peaceful and relaxing boat trip to Silves, to have a quick walk in the medieval city or just a lunch if you have been there already. We really enjoy it!! Pedro was amazing, very nice and engaging all the time. We had even wine and water on the house while enjoying the views! Totally recommend it, thank you the expiernce!!”

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From Porto: Full-Day Douro Historical Tour - The first Douro views arrive after lunch
Douro River Cruises, Full-Day, Historical Tours, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Porto: Full-Day Douro Historical Tour

14.Full-Day Douro Historical Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 120 reviews · 10 hours · from $104

Spend 10 hours exploring the Douro with a multilingual guide, from Amarante’s Saint Gonçalo Monastery to hillside vineyards, a Port tasting, lunch, and a scenic cruise in Pinhão. Guides such as Ricardo, Anabela, and Castro have earned praise for clear explanations and good humor, though the boat trip can change with bad weather.

“Castro was a fantastic, entertaining and knowledgeable guide who also brought some laughs and good music to our tour. He also made sure to include personal time for each and every traveller. Bus driver, Jose provided us with a smooth and safe day’s travel. The Douro tour took us to more places and gave us more than just Amarante which we had thought we would visit. A great, fun and exceptional day out thanks to Castro.”

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Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise - The 20-minute walk through the bush supermarket and pharmacy
Australia River Cruises, Historical Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise

15.Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $117

Spend three hours with Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours, crossing Trinity Inlet by boat before a welcome and smoking ceremony, a 20-minute bush walk, and refreshments. Learn how local plants serve as food and medicine, with return transfers and a maximum group size of 20.

“Wonderful morning spent on this tour. Scenic boat ride from Cairns, knowledgeable friendly staff/guides ~ we learnt a lot about significant plants and practices before a morning tea of fresh fruit, muffins and coffee. Recommend to all, locals and Cairns visitors.”

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New in Historical Tours

★ 4.5Private Historic River Kwai Death Railway, War Cemetery and Hellfire Pass TourFrom $16212 reviews
★ 5.0Afternoon Ayutthaya heritage site & River Boat Ride at SunsetFrom $5310 reviews
★ 4.9Historical Guided Tour of the Seine Riverbanks with Virtual RealityFrom $3412 reviews
★ 4.2Arles: Culture & History River Cruise – Day Trip w/MealsFrom $10513 reviews

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