“One must travel to learn.” – Mark Twain

History is the thread that ties humanity together. Through travel, we are able to see and experience fragments of the past that would otherwise be unavailable to us – and, as a result, weave meaningful connections with cultures around the world.

Naturally, history is an integral aspect of all Odysseys tours. However, some of our tours are specifically designed to delve deep into the social, cultural, and artistic history of their destinations. And what better place to begin than in Europe, the birthplace of Western civilization? 

In this list, we’ve highlighted seven small group tours to Europe that are ideal for history buffs and anyone looking to learn more about the story of humankind.

The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Journey through Greece & Ancient Greece

Throughout its history – with civilizations reaching as far back as 3200 BCE – Greece has led the way in the advancement of philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, democracy, literature, medicine, and even history itself as an academic discipline. Our Journey through Greece small group tour embarks on an exploration of Greek history, traveling across the mainland with stays in Athens, Delphi, Kalabaka, Thessaloniki, and Corfu. We visit all manner of archaeological sites, ancient tombs, and ruined temples, including:

• Athens’ Acropolis and Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, and National Archaeological Museum
• Cape Sounion and its 5^th-century Greek Temple of Poseidon
• Archaeological site of Delphi, including acclaimed Archaeological Museum
• Two historic monasteries at dramatic Meteora
• Open-air Archaeological Park in Dion depicting life in ancient times
• St. Dionysios Monastery on slopes of Mount Olympus
• Thessaloniki’s 4^th-century Rotonda, White Tower, and Archaeological Museum
• Vergina, site of Royal Tombs of Phillip II
• The storied island of Corfu
• …and more!

If you prefer to focus on Greece’s southern isles, Ancient Greece combines premier archaeological sites with the beauty of the Aegean Sea. Enjoy stays in Athens, Peloponnese, Crete, and celebrated Santorini while soaking in ancient history with highlights including:

• Athens sightseeing, including Acropolis and Parthenon
• Cape Sounion and its 5^th-century Greek Temple of Poseidon
• Tour of National Archaeological Museum in Athens
• Visits to archaeological sites of Corinth, Mycenae, and Epidaurus
• Heraklion’s Minoan Palace of Knossos and Archaeological Museum
• Private cruise to Spinalonga, known for its Venetian fortress
• Archaeological site of Akrotiri
• …and more!

Bran Castle | Brasov, Transylvania, Romania

Bulgaria & Romania Discovery

Bulgaria and Romania both offer a blend of cultures and complex historical makeups to discover, from early Slavic culture and the Ottoman Empire’s rule to the countries’ alliances with the Axis Powers during World War II. Our Bulgaria & Romania Discovery tour spans from the rugged Bulgarian mountains to the Black Sea, topped by the medieval walled towns and crenellated castles of Romania. On our tour, we experience:

• Sofia, capital of Bulgaria reflecting more than 2,000 years of history
• Plovdiv’s charming old town with its mix of 19^th-century buildings and Roman ruins
• Varna’s Archaeological Museum
• Bulgarian UNESCO sites of Rila Monastery, Nessebar, Madara Rock Horseman, and the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
• Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament and Coral Temple
• Walled town of Sighisoara (a UNESCO site)
• Medieval Brasov
• Transylvania villages and fortified churches (a UNESCO site)
• Legendary Bran Castle
• Peles Castle
• …and more!

Mont-St-Michel

Provincial French Countryside

Upon uncovering the depth and complexity of France’s history, it becomes clear why it remains the most-visited country in the world. We sample the highlights of France’s prehistoric, medieval, Middle Age, Renaissance, La Belle Époque, and 20^th-century history on our Provincial French Countryside small group tour. Traveling from Toulouse to Paris, we see highlights including:

• Medieval Carcassonne
• Market town of Albi, including Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
• Cliffside village of Rocamadour (a UNESCO site)
• Caves at Lascaux IV, featuring cave art dating back to 15,000 BCE
• Renaissance-era Châteaux de Chenonceau
• Gothic abbey of Mont-St-Michel
• Normandy’s Landing Beaches and D-Day sights
• American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach
• Renowned WWII Memorial Museum in Caen
• Monet’s gardens, studio, and home in Giverny
• Paris city tour, including the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés
• …and more!

Parliament buildings in Budapest, Hungary

Journey through Central Europe

Whether you’re seeking to recapture your ancestral heritage or simply wish to discover a beautiful and poignant part of the world, Central Europe offers enrichment, enlightenment, and enjoyment. Our Journey through Central Europe small group tour provides insight into the recent histories – and distant pasts – of four distinct nations: Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Highlights include stays in Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague, as well as:

• Warsaw’s Old Town (s UNESCO site), 13^th-century Royal Castle, the former Jewish Ghetto, and the Jewish Cemetery
• Guided visits to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps
• Wieliczka Salt Mine in Krakow (a UNESCO site)
• Budapest touring, including the historic Castle District, Matthias church, and Dohány Synagogue
• Vienna’s Opera House and majestic Schönbrunn Palace
• Medieval abbey of Heiligenkreuz
• Tour of elegant Prague, including Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Josefov (Jewish ghetto), Jewish Cemetery, and the Jewish Museum of Prague
• Ample free time for independent exploration
• …and more!

Stonehenge

Journey through Britain

Britain holds a wealth of artistic, musical, and literary heritage, as well as secrets to some of the world’s most fascinating ancient civilizations. There are endless avenues of the past to explore: the royal and military history of Edinburgh; the quaint, pastoral culture of England’s Lake District; the medieval gems of Wales; the Renaissance legacy of Shakespeare; the Roman-era remains in Bath; the mysterious, prehistoric Stonehenge… Sample some of Britain’s expansive history on our Journey through Britain small group tour, featuring:

• Edinburgh touring, including the 18^th-century “New Town,” the medieval “Old Town,” Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House, and the Royal Mile
• Dove Cottage and Hawkshead Grammar School in England’s pastoral Lake District, both former haunts of poet William Wordsworth
• Wales’ 13^th-century Conwy Castle
• Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens at Stratford-upon-Avon
• Bath touring: Roman Baths, Assembly Room, Circus, Bath Abbey
• Stonehenge visit
• Windsor Castle
• London sightseeing: Tower of London, Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey
• …and more!

Temple of Concordia, Agrigento

Sicily in Depth

Architecture, archaeology, and art abound in Sicily, the island off the “toe” of Italy’s boot. Its central location on the Mediterranean left it open to a myriad of cultural influences: Arabic, African, Norman, Roman, and more. Our Sicily in Depth tour takes a panoramic journey around Sicily, bringing to life its past with stays in vibrant cities and visits to ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and more, including:

• Palermo’s Arab-Norman UNESCO sites: Palermo Cathedral, Palazzo Reale, Church of San Cataldo, and more
• Stunning Monreale Cathedral (a UNESCO site)
• Medieval walled town of Erice
• Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples (a UNESCO site)
• Outstanding mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale (a UNESCO site)
• Archaeological Park of Neapolis in Syracuse (a UNESCO site)
• Greek-tinged Taormina
• …and more!

If you’re hungry for knowledge and yearning to see history up close, consider making your reservation on one of these small group tours today. Just give us a call at the number below or submit an online reservation request and one of our Travel Counselors will be happy to assist you.