Historical Tours Around the World: Our 7 Top Picks

1.Zeus Cave & Knossos History, Villages & Olive Oil

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 89 reviews · 1 day · from $129Our pick

Spend a full day with a local driver-guide such as Nikos, Marinos, or Angie, visiting Knossos, an olive press, Zeus Cave, the Lasithi Plateau, Krasi, and Mochos. Expect a comfortable minivan, village stops, local snacks, optional lunch, and plenty of Cretan stories. Zeus Cave access must be checked before booking.

“Tour was good. Nico is professional guide and helping alot and very friendly person. The car (van) was comfortable.”

See dates & prices →Read our full review

2.Richtis Waterfall, History, Azoria, OliveTasting, NorthCoast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $119Highest rated

Spend about seven hours exploring eastern Crete in a small group of up to six. Guides such as Michael, George, Andre, and Petra lead you to Richtis Waterfall, the 3,250-year-old Azorias olive tree, an ancient settlement, a Cretan lunch, and a family olive oil factory. Hotel pickup, food, water, and transport are included.

“Great way to see some highlights of the East side of Crete. We enjoyed the relatively short hike to the waterfall at the Richtis Gorge and especially the olive oil factory tour and tasting. Lunch was a delicious variety of traditional Greek foods with a breathtaking view.”

See dates & prices →Read our full review

3.Olive Oil Guided Tasting and History in Pula

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

At the House of Istrian Olive Oil in Pula, you’ll explore Roman oil-making, watch short films, and taste premium Istrian oils beside a supermarket example. Your guide explains sensory faults, positive qualities, and polyphenols before serving a surprise dessert with extra virgin olive oil. Allow about 90 minutes.

“The museum portion was very informative. Could have been a bit more interactive to make it more enjoyable. We did the tasting portion with the desert. Our guide was quite knowledgeable and answered our questions. I will certainly question what Extra Virgin means moving forward.”

See dates & prices →Read our full review

4.Zadar Olive Oil & Wine with Dalmatian Views & History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 10 hours · from $64

Join guide Neil for a small-group trip from Zadar into Dalmatia’s hinterland. Visit Benkovac and an olive mill, taste five award-winning oils and three Croatian wines, enjoy an optional €20 cold buffet lunch, and finish above Lake Vrana with views toward the Kornati Islands.

“Fantastyczna wycieczka, fantastyczny przewodnik Neil, fantastyczne miejsca. Grupa szybko się integruje w towarzystwie takiego przewodnika. Okazało się jak mało wiemy o oliwie z oliwek i jak wielki to potrafi być skarb. Punkty widokowe niesamowite. Świetne towarzystwo właściciela plantacji oliwek. Polecam każdemu tą wycieczkę. Nie stracicie ani minuty.”

See dates & prices →Read our full review

5.Šibenik: Croatia in a Day, Vistas, History, Olive Oil, Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 6 hours · from $64

Join guide Neil in a small air-conditioned minibus from Šibenik for a six-hour tour through Dalmatia’s countryside. Visit Okit Hill, Kaštel Benković, and Kamenjak above Lake Vrana, then tour the family-run Lepur olive mill with Brane. Taste five olive oils, Croatian wines, and local food, with an optional €20 lunch.

“The day with Neil was very entertaining. We saw and learned quite a bit about Croatia. The trip to an olive plantation was also great and provided lots of information. The organization by Fiona was excellent as well.”

See dates & prices →Read our full review

6.Classical guitar concert in a historic olive press

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $70

Meet Nikos Karavias for a 2.5-hour evening of classical guitar inside a historic olive press near Naxos town. Hear Bach, Granados, Paco de Lucia, Theodorakis, and Nikos’s own Naxos-inspired music. Transport, local wine or lemonade, farm cheeses, tomatoes, and olives are included.

“Es war ein wunderbares Erlebnis! Die Kunst und die überaus freundliche Art sowie das Ambiente übertragen meine Erwartungen. Ich fühlte mich wie unter Freunden, und meine Verbindung zur Insel Naxos ist durch dieses Erlebnis noch mehr gewachsen! Herzlichsten Dank an Nikos! Ich werde dieses Ereignis ganz bestimmt wieder buchen! Angela Stroeblaus Österreich”

See dates & prices →Read our full review

7.Douro Valley: A Sensory Experience in the Douro: Wines, Olive Oil, and History

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 15 reviews · 1 hour · from $34Cheapest here

Visit Quinta de Santa Júlia, a family estate dating to 1596, with a guide such as Rafaela or Paolo. Walk through French-style gardens inspired by Versailles, see the vineyards and olive grove, then taste estate-made Douro wines, Port, and olive oil in a 200-year-old cellar. Stay afterward for photos, a stroll, or pool time.

“Rafaela was an excellent tour guide! She shared a lot of her knowledge with us and was able to respond to any question. She also personalized the experience and was very fun to talk to, she fit with our group very well. We had a lovely time and the wine and olive oil is very tasty as well.”

See dates & prices →Read our full review