History & Archaeology Tours

Knowledge and insight from history, prehistory and the ancient world.

Guided Tours

An expanding collection of superb holidays exploring the archaeology and history of Europe and the Mediterranean. We ensure the content and quality for a wonderful holiday and a worthwhile experience in one. And at great value for money too!

Leisure with Enrichment

Fascinating content, expert guides and small groups provide an enriching travel experience. Together with relaxed itineraries, great hotels and beautiful locations they are perfect combinations of leisure and interest.

Expertise

Hidden History is owned by Dr Simon Butler, who started leading archaeology tours 20 years ago as an extension of his work in professional archaeology. He combines archaeology and travel into the most enriching and enjoyable experiences for all.

Personal Service

As independent specialists we provide a more dedicated, personal service with flexibility and bespoke planning. Backed-up by the buying power and respected authority of the Travel Network Group and Travel Trust Association.

Featured Tours

The ingredients are travel, archaeology, history, landscape and culture. We combine them to create wonderful holidays and worthwhile experiences with a satisfying blend of leisure and enrichment.

Bulgaria: Old Europe From £1675

Discover Bulgaria, one of Europe’s richest areas for archaeology and one of its oldest mainsprings of culture. Our tour travels from capital to coast through the country’s impressive ancient sites, historic towns and unspoilt Balkan landscapes.

Departs 09 May 2020 and 12 September 2020.

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12 days

The Makings of Asturias From £1675

Celts and Visigoths, a rugged coast and spectacular mountains combine as two academics from Oxford University guide you through Celtic castros and pre-Romanesque architecture in this hidden gem of northern Spain.

22 May 2020 and 11 September 2020.

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8 days

Living with the White Horse From £645

A professor from Oxford University guides you through the latest research and excavation in one of England’s most significant ancient landscapes, where history and prehistory are etched into the soft, green, downland hills of a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

Departs 13 May and 02 September

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4 days

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Late Availability

We are now taking bookings for all 2020 tours.
Book now to secure your place at the preferential early booking prices.
Earlier bookings also allow earlier confirmation of tours.
The following three tours are the first in 2020 so need to be booked soon.

Aphrodite’s Cyprus: North and South From £1675

Uniquely, this two-centred tour stays in both the Greek south and Turkish north of Cyprus, allowing fuller appreciation of this charming island and its fascinating World Heritage; 10,000 years of human history with connections to the ancient Near East, to Greece and to the Crusades.

Departs 01 April 2020 and 14 October 2020.

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8 Days

Malta Through Millennia. From £1395

Get to know Malta, a small, sunny Mediterranean island with a surprisingly eventful past. Our well-balanced itinerary reveals its important World Heritage sites from history and prehistory alike; mysterious Stone Age temples, the magnificent Knights of St. John and a celebrated wartime role. Malta has a unique multi-cultural heritage.

Departs 03 May 2020 and 20 September 2020.

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8 Days

Sicilian Civilisations From £2195

A wealth of ancient and historic treasures awaits you in an enchanting land of sun-drenched vineyards, sparkling clear seas, vibrant cities, sleepy villages and unrivalled cuisine. A succession of civilisations has left a dazzling, cosmopolitan heritage with some of the finest art and architecture in the entire Mediterranean.

Departs 20 April 2020 and 28 September 2020.

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12 Days

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What our customers say

We would certainly use Hidden History again as we had a fantastic holiday.

Hidden Historian,

Malta's Millennia, 2017.

Length of tour and variety of visits were perfect.

Hidden Historian,

Sicilian Civilisations, 2017.

More than met my expectations. It was well thought-out and well paced. The tour notes were excellent.

Hidden Historian,

Pompeii & Bay of Naples, 2017.

An excellent and very enjoyable tour, covering a wide span of Malta’s history with an emphasis on the archaeological sites.

Hidden Historian,

Malta’s Millennia, 2016

We went on three short UK tours this year and undoubtedly enjoyed this one the best.

Hidden Historian,

Romney Marsh, 2016

Having been touring archaeological sites in many parts of the world for +50 years, I can honestly say that your Cyprus tour was outstanding in my experience.

Hidden Historian,

Aphrodite’s Cyprus, 2016.

We recently went on the Hidden History tour of Crete and Santorini and would recommend it to everyone.

Hidden Historian,

Minoan Crete & Santorini, 2016.

Country Profiles

Use our country profiles to get a feel for the archaeological and historical interest of different destinations. You can follow things up through our Reading Lists and explore travel itineraries through our Tours pages.