If you’re intrigued by history, there is no substitute for visiting the places where past events played out. Take a journey back in time with one of our historical tours for over 50s, designed for UK travellers.

The annals of European history can be read in the characterful towns and mighty castles that line the banks of the Rhine and Danube. Historical highlights include the palaces and cathedrals of Vienna, former centre of the Holy Roman Empire, and the medieval centre of Nuremberg, a city now best known for its wartime associations. You can also see Bratislava Castle, which dominates the Slovakian capital’s old town, and the Gothic-style parliament building in Budapest, standing majestically over the river.

History trips in France for senior travellers may take you to cities like Avignon, where 14^th century papal palaces serve as a reminder of the city’s central status in medieval Europe. The walled city of Carcassonne, with its well-preserved citadel dating back to Gallo-Roman period, is an essential stop on many tours to southern France. In the north of the country, the Bayeux Tapestry Museum never fails to amaze visitors with its intricately woven depictions of the events of 1066.

Ancient Greek civilisation is credited with shaping the world we know today, and its legacy survives in iconic sites such as the Acropolis in Athens and the Delphi sanctuary. Senior history tours in Cyprus also feature spectacular remnants of antiquity such as Kourion, a once important city-state above modern-day Limassol, where impressive remains include an amphitheatre and houses containing beautiful mosaic floors.

History trips to China for over 50s give you a real sense of bygone eras in this fascinating and complex land. Walking on the Great Wall, built over 2200 years ago, is a thrill in itself, and a similar magic is felt in exploring the magnificent Forbidden City, once home to the Ming and Qing dynasties and now the symbolic heart of Beijing. The city of Xian, meanwhile, boasts well-preserved ancient city walls and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the birthplaces of Chinese Buddhism. It is also most famously the home of the Terracotta Army, an astounding collection of thousands of life-sized soldiers created to guard an emperor in his afterlife.

Browse our full collection of history tours to get the widest range of options.

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