Best History Tours with a Meal Around the World: Our Top 7

1.Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,279 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $189Our pick

Sail 24 miles along Kona’s Gold Coast to Kealakekua Bay on a catamaran with a local historian, Hawaiian music, sunset views, dinner, and one complimentary cocktail. The cruise lasts about three hours, carries up to 85 people, and returns to Kailua Pier. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals require 48 hours’ notice.

“Good dinner. Helpful staff. Great musician who played during breaks in the historical tour. Accessible for someone with a game but arrive early for a downstairs table.”

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2.Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 861 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Spend seven hours with a conservation guide in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, riding a 1950s open-top Land Rover instead of a dune-bashing SUV. Look for oryx and gazelles, watch falconry at sunset, then enjoy Emirati food, camel rides, henna, drumming, Yola, shisha, and stargazing at a private Bedouin-style camp.

“Great experience with a good variety of activities. Our guide Rammel was very good and looked after us well including some great photos taken on our phone. We enjoyed the vintage landrovers and the food was top notch. The camel ride was quite short but was just right for my liking! The photos and videos taken by the team were great quality but were also expensive - would be good to have lowe cost optiosn. Overall we recommend the experience particularly if Dune Bashing is not for you!”

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3.Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 805 reviews · from $127Top rated

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide. Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, enjoy lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, take in city views from Etihad Towers, and explore Qasr Al Watan. Expect 9 to 10 hours, a group of up to 17 people, and mosque clothing for women.

“We enjoyed very much this complete and beautiful tour, our guide Ahmed was very friendly and helpful and taught us a lot of history and contemporary aspects of the Emirates”

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4.Madrid Local’s Tapas Tour Dinner with a side of History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 530 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114

Start at Plaza de Isabel II at 6:30 pm for a 3.5-hour walking tour through central Madrid. Guides such as Pablo and Daniel lead you to taverns for croquettes, ham, Manchego, drinks, and a sit-down paella dinner, with stories about Madrid’s Arab wall, royal past, and old squares.

“Daniel was great, lots of stories and fun! We would highly recommend him to anyone coming to Madrid for the first time or seventeenth!”

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5.Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner – History and Food in Old Quebec City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 496 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $224

Join guides such as Luis, Marie, Danielle, or Etienne for a three-hour evening through Old Quebec. You will visit four restaurants for five courses with wine or beer, ride the funicular, and hear stories at Place Royale, Dufferin Terrace, and Notre Dame Basilica Cathedral. Bring an appetite and comfortable shoes.

“Tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was unbelievably delicious! I would highly recommend this tour.”

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6.Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 431 reviews · 6 hours · from $189

Spend six hours at Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve with hotel pickup, a 30 to 40-minute vintage Mercedes G-Class safari, two short camel rides, a falcon show, Bedouin village, five-course dinner, entertainment, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Saeed, Imran, Ali, and Babar are known for warm service and excellent photos.

“Great trip with many activities. Everything was amazing, totally worth it. Thank you Saeed!”

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7.Old San Juan Historical Walk, Shopping, and Dining w/ Transport

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 381 reviews · from $34Best value

Start at Plaza Colón at 9:00 a.m. for a guided walk through Old San Juan, passing the city gate, El Morro views, historic mansions, churches, and the cathedral. Guides such as Michelle, Brandon, Nathan, and Michi lead the tour. Air-conditioned transport, parking, shopping time, and hotel drop-off are included, but lunch is not.

“The travel guide was exceptional. I would definitely recommend him. He was very knowledgeable and he accommodated our needs”

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