Explore Seven of Europe’s Greatest Cities

Europe is a dizzyingly diverse continent full of cultural institutions, historical sites, shopping thoroughfares, and famous foods, all wrapped up in inspiring architecture and Old-World charm. With this deal, you can experience all of these aspects while exploring the centuries-old streets of seven cities. You’ll set foot in four countries—Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy—whose countrysides you’ll see sailing past as you travel between them on plane or rail. This vacation includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Lisbon at Mercure Lisbon or similar hotel
• Flight from Lisbon to Madrid
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Madrid at Holiday Inn Piramides or similar hotel
• Second-class rail from Madrid to Barcelona
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Barcelona at Silken St. Gervasi or similar hotel
• Second-class rail from Barcelona to Montpellier
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Montpellier at Suite Novotel Montpellier or similar hotel
• Second-class rail from Montpellier to Nice
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Nice at Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame or similar hotel
• Second-class rail from Nice to Genoa
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Genoa at Mercure Genova San Biagio or similar hotel
• Second-class rail from Genoa to Rome
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Rome at Holiday Inn Rome San Giovanni or similar hotel
• Seat reservations on rail segments
• Daily breakfast

Days 1–3: Lisbon, Portugal

Flight time from New York to Lisbon: about 8 hours

• Ride century-old Tram 28 to see this city’s stately plazas. You can hop off at St. George’s Castle—built in approximately 48 BC—to see views of Lisbon below, or explore the nearby Alfama quarter, which is marked by narrow streets and billowing laundry drying in open air.
• A Ginjinha: Enjoy a shot of ginjinha, a local cherry liqueur, in front of this hole-in-the-wall bar, which has been open since the 1840s. If you’re lucky, a couple locals may join you.

Accommodations: Mercure Lisbon or similar

Days 3–5: Madrid, Spain

Flight time from Lisbon to Madrid: about 1.5 hours

• Must-see museum: The Prado Museum, considered one of Europe’s finest art museums, with masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
• Take in a traditional bullfight at Las Ventas, Madrid’s famous bullring. The bullfighting season starts in March and ends in October.
• Museo Chicote: Step back in time to the Spanish Civil War with a drink in this watering hole, widely considered to be Madrid’s most famous bar. It once drew such famous regulars as Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra, and has changed little since.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Piramides or similar

Days 5–7: Barcelona, Spain

Train time from Madrid to Barcelona: about 3 hours

• Blend in like a local by cheering on Lionel Messi and Futbol Club Barcelona at a local bar; the team’s colors are scarlet and blue.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Museum, where intricate artwork and dioramas are carved entirely from blocks of cocoa. Admission tickets are made of chocolate squares, naturally.
• The Picasso Museum houses some of the revered Spanish artist’s lesser-known works, including rough sketches, collages, and a Spirograph drawing he made as a child.

Accommodations: Silken St. Gervasi or similar

Days 7–9: Montpellier, France

Train time from Barcelona to Montpellier: about 5 hours

• Place de la Comédie is the city’s largest public square. Here, you can see the Three Graces fountain and the Comedie Opera House’s stately architecture, which is often illuminated at night with colored lights.
• Musée Fabre: Napoleon started this museum’s extensive collection when he sent Montpellier an exhibition of the Royal Academy. Today, the museum is home to Flemish, French, and Italian works that span from the 15th–20th centuries, including Poussin’s Venus and Adonis.

Accommodations: Suite Novotel Montpellier or similar

Days 9–11: Nice

Train time from Montpellier to Nice: about 5 hours

• Musée Matisse: Located in a 17th-century villa surrounded by olive groves, this museum is dedicated to the work of Matisse, who lived and worked in Nice for 37 years.
• Place Rossetti: The pedestrian-only square in the heart of Nice is lined with sidewalk cafes, a burbling fountain, and the 17th-century Sainte-Réparate de Nice cathedral.

Accommodations: Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame

Days 11–13: Genoa, Italy

Train time from Nice to Genoa: about 3.5 hours

• Europe’s largest aquarium: The Acquario di Genova is tucked inside a ship-like structure built alongside a pier. Inside, you’ll see re-created Red Sea coral reefs, Amazonian pools, and other marine ecosystems, as well as playful seals and dolphins.
• Galleria di Palazzo Bianco: Considered one of the city’s finest palaces, this 16th-century structure houses Genoa’s best art collection. You can see works by such great artists as Caravaggio and Murillo, as well as some by notable Genovese artists.

Accommodations: Mercure Genova San Biagio or similar

Days 13–15: Rome, Italy

Train time from Genoa to Rome: about 5 hours

• The Colosseum: Despite its crumbling facade, the Colosseum—the world’s largest amphitheater—is considered a marvel of architectural engineering. It held bloody gladiator battles and animal hunts as far back as 80 AD.
• Catacombs of St. Domitilla: Enter Rome’s oldest and largest subterranean catacomb through a sunken, 4th-century church. Though you might catch sight of some human bones in this early-Christian necropolis, you’ll mostly see art. It houses roughly 80 painted tombs, including a 2nd-century fresco of the Last Supper.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Rome San Giovanni or similar

Flight time back to New York: about 9 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal? Call go-today at 800-227-3235 for additional pricing options from any departure airport not listed on the Groupon Getaways deal page.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal? Yes, you can arrange for that over the phone at the time when you redeem your voucher with go-today.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available? Check the Deal Options above to see if there is availability for the specific date you are interested in. If there are multiple dates listed in a Deal Option, call go-today at 800-227-3235 for the most up-to-date availability.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available? If go-today is unable to book the stay you want during the available dates and before the book-by date, Groupon will refund your purchase.

5. Does my child need a Groupon, and can they stay in my room? For promotions which include airfare, all travelers over the age of 2 are required to purchase a Groupon. Different occupancy arrangements can be requested with go-today at the time of reservation.

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