13-Day Historical Europe & Greece Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Sat, Oct 25 – Arrival in Kos, Greece

Morning: Fly from East Midlands Airport (EMA) to Kos (KGS) with Jet2, departing at 07:30 and arriving at 13:30 local time. Transfer via airport bus to Kos Town.

Afternoon: Settle into accommodation at Alexandra Hotel or Airbnb in Kos Town. Explore the town center and enjoy local Greek cuisine.

Evening: Visit the historic Kos Fortress to learn about the island's WWII Italian and German occupation history, or seek out remaining WWII bunkers in the area.

Day 2: Sun, Oct 26 – Ferry to Athens, Greece

Morning: Relax and prepare for evening travel. Optional stroll around Kos Town or beach visit.

Afternoon: Free time to shop or visit local museums before ferry boarding.

Evening: Board the Blue Star Ferries overnight ferry at 20:00 from Kos to Piraeus (Athens), approximately 10 hours. Overnight on deck or in cabin.

Day 3: Mon, Oct 27 – Rest and Explore Athens

Morning: Arrive at Piraeus port at 06:00; take metro to Athens city center and check in at Athens Hawks Hostel or nearby Airbnb.

Afternoon: Visit the National War Museum to understand Athens during WWII or explore the Acropolis for historical context.

Evening: Leisurely dinner near Monastiraki or Syntagma Square with views of the lit Acropolis.

Day 4: Tue, Oct 28 – Bus to Sofia, Bulgaria

Morning: Depart Athens at 08:00 on Union Ivkoni or FlixBus towards Sofia; enjoy scenic route crossing the border.

Afternoon: Continue bus journey; relax and perhaps review WWII history of the Balkans.

Evening: Arrive Sofia at 20:00; transfer to accommodation at Hotel Favorit or Airbnb; light walk to nearby restaurants.

Day 5: Wed, Oct 29 – Train to Bucharest & Overnight to Budapest

Morning: Early train departure at 07:20 from Sofia to Bucharest; enjoy countryside views on this 9h 40m trip.

Afternoon: Arrive at Bucharest Gara de Nord at 17:00. Have time to visit the Military Museum showcasing WWII history before boarding overnight train.

Evening: Board the CFR overnight train (Ister Express) at 17:45 to Budapest; rest comfortably in couchette.

Day 6: Thu, Oct 30 – Explore Budapest, Hungary

Morning: Arrive Budapest Keleti station at 08:35 and transfer to Ibis Budapest Centrum or Airbnb for lodging.

Afternoon: Visit the House of Terror Museum, learning about fascist and communist regimes during WWII, or explore Dohány Street Synagogue for Holocaust history.

Evening: Enjoy traditional Hungarian dining in the city center with evening strolls along the Danube.

Day 7: Fri, Oct 31 – Overnight Train to Munich, Germany

Morning: Leisure morning in Budapest or last sightseeing near Keleti station.

Afternoon: Prepare for travel, pack, and grab dinner before departure.

Evening: Nightjet train departs 23:05 for Munich; overnight travel saving on lodging.

Day 8: Sat, Nov 1 – Munich Exploration

Morning: Arrive Munich Hauptbahnhof at 07:48; settle into Ibis München City or Airbnb.

Afternoon: Visit NS-Dokumentationszentrum to learn about Nazi Germany or take a short train trip to Dachau Memorial (30 minutes).

Evening: Dinner in central Munich, enjoying Bavarian specialties.

Day 9: Sun, Nov 2 – Train to Zwickau, Germany

Morning: Depart Munich at 08:23; arrive Zwickau at 12:36. Short transfer to ACHAT Hotel Zwickau or Airbnb.

Afternoon: Explore the August Horch Museum that highlights the region’s industrial heritage during WWII.

Evening: Local dining and quiet evening walk in historic Zwickau center.

Day 10: Mon, Nov 3 – Train to Frankfurt via Wiesbaden

Morning: Depart Zwickau at 09:12; travel via Leipzig and Wiesbaden arriving Frankfurt at 15:10.

Afternoon: Transfer to Ibis Frankfurt Centrum or Airbnb; visit the Frankfurt Historical Museum for WWII related exhibits.

Evening: Dine at local restaurants around Römerberg square.

Day 11: Tue, Nov 4 – Train to Nancy, France

Morning: Depart Frankfurt 09:06; travel via Mannheim to Nancy, arriving at 12:15.

Afternoon: Check in at Hotel des Prélats or Airbnb; visit the Place Stanislas and surrounding sites tied to WWII events.

Evening: Sample French cuisine along Nancy’s old town ambiance.

Day 12: Wed, Nov 5 – Hire Car and Drive to Limoges

Morning: Pick up rental car at Nancy station by 10:00; begin approximately 6-hour drive to Limoges with breaks.

Afternoon: Arrive and check into Ibis Limoges Centre or Airbnb; rest after drive.

Evening: Visit the Musée de la Résistance showcasing local WWII Resistance efforts; enjoy Limoges’ historic atmosphere.

Day 13: Thu, Nov 6 – Departure from Limoges Area

Morning: Prepare for return journey. No direct flights from Limoges to East Midlands; plan train to Paris.

Afternoon: Take train (~3 hours) from Limoges to Paris; connect for flight back to East Midlands Airport.

Evening: Fly home from Paris.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Kos Fortress & WWII sites: 2-3 hours, approx. €5 entrance, minimal transport cost
• Overnight ferry Kos–Athens: ~10 hours, £30–£50 per person
• National War Museum, Athens: 2-3 hours, €8 entrance
• Bus Athens–Sofia: ~12 hours, €30–€45 per person
• Military Museum, Bucharest: 2-3 hours, €6 entrance
• House of Terror Museum, Budapest: 2-4 hours, approx. €10 entrance
• NS-Dokumentationszentrum, Munich: 2-3 hours, €6 entrance
• Dachau Memorial excursion: Half day, transport approx. €10
• August Horch Museum, Zwickau: 2 hours, €7 entrance
• Frankfurt Historical Museum: 2-3 hours, €7 entrance
• Place Stanislas, Nancy: 1-2 hours, free
• Musée de la Résistance, Limoges: 2 hours, ~€5 entrance
• Train and bus transport costs overall: Approx. £700–£1,100 per person
• Lodging average 10 nights: £150–£250 per person
• Car rental and fuel (Day 12): £110–£180 total
• Total estimated cost per person: £1,200–£1,700 (including transport, lodging, and entries)