The Hotels

• Hotel Columbia in Palermo, Sicily
• Apartamentos Carlos V in Alcúdia, Majorca
• Hotel Apartamento Balaia Atlântico and Pateo Village Apartments in Albufeira, Algarve
• H·TOP Caleta Palace in Girona, Costa Brava

Groupon’s Guide to Costa Brava

Also known as Spain’s Wild Coast, Costa Brava offers visitors a mixture of old-world Catalonian charm, modern day excitement and Mediterranean dining opportunities. With some of the finest Blue Flag beaches in Europe, water sports enthusiasts can make the most of sailing, swimming, diving and jet-skiing opportunities.

Historic sights and museums are aplenty in the Costa Brava region, beckoning with ancient Greek and Roman ruins which can be found outside the seaside town of L’Escala. A leisurely day out may be spent in the fortified hilltop town of Begur, where tourists may stroll along winding cobbled streets featuring Moorish and colonial townhouses, quaint bars and high-end boutiques. Just outside Cadaqués, in a converted fishermen’s cottage, the Salvador Dali House Museum can be visited, while below the hilltop castle in Palafrugell, the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens allure with cascading terraces, cactus plants and coastal views.

Groupon’s Guide to Algarve

Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, attracts visitors from around the world with sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs, and tops dusted in whitewashed Portuguese houses with terracotta-tiled roofs.

Visitors may explore the town of Lagos, where cobbled streets are lined with restaurants, bars, and clubs, and the coast offers prime spots for afternoon basking. While in town, they may stop by Castelo de Silves and admire its Moorish design, impressive cistern, and red brick interiors that may date back as far as the 11th century. For a slower paced activity, the hill town of Monchique offers an insight into the traditional side of Portugal, where mule carts trot by, and traffic lights are rarely seen. Sightseers can take in the coastline of the Portimao Marina before enjoying some downtime at one of the nearby restaurants, shops and bars.

Groupon’s Guide to Majorca

Majorca is a popular holiday destination alluring tourists with vivid nightlife, numerous sporting opportunities, vibrant cities and cultural attractions. Basking in the Mediterranean sun, this island boasts an impressive reputation for the pristine beaches, complemented by the landscape of rugged mountains, shady olive groves, and ochre villages, all leading down to a glittering sea.

Guests may explore the island’s natural beauty starting with a visit to Mondrago Park, whose wooded bays are home to golden sands and a chirruping host of birdlife. Other wonders may be found in Porto Cristo, which harbours two sets of caves featuring subterranean lakes and spectacular rock formations. Moving inland, rare refreshments may be enjoyed in the town of Felanitx, famed for its wines and brandies. The Palma Aquarium plays host to over 700 marine species, as well as one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe, through which an underwater tunnel twists to bring visitors up close to the lurking monsters of the deep. Majorca has a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild winters. From June to August temperatures reach a peak of 30°C with eleven hours of sunshine a day, while in autumn, weather is still warm and sunny, but wet.

Groupon’s Guide to Palermo

On the north-western coast of the Mediterranean’s largest island lies Palermo, the capital city of Sicily, and one of the most popular tourist destinations of the island, offering travellers an array of historic and cultural attractions.

Guests may visit numerous attractions mixing many architectural styles, ranging from monuments, squares and historic buildings, to the most popular districts. Suggestive are the famous Palermo Cathedral or Teatro Massimo, as well as the traditional markets of Vucciria, Ballarò and Capo. Some other examples boasting the city’s heritage include Via Maqueda, Via Roma or Viale della Libertà, Piazza Politeama, or the Palazzo dei Normanni. Visitors may also enjoy some of the culinary specialties in the region that include unusual combinations such as almonds and pistachios, pasta with sardines, saffron and sultanas, as traditional recipes are being carefully preserved from generation to generation.