sueqn

We are trying to plan an approximately 2 week trip in May 2017 and would like to start at the Amalfi Coast and travel along the French Riviera and end up in Barcelona. We would also like to see Cinque Terre if possible. Our time frame is somewhat flexible but probably not much more then 2-1/2 weeks. I guess my question is what would be the best mode of travel. I am thinking we will fly into Naples.

Sassafrass

Have you been to Europe or Italy before?
Are you aware of distances you would be traveling?
What particularly interests you in Barcelona, the Amalfi Coast, the French Riviera, etc?
What exactly are you looking for in this trip? Do you have famous things in mind that you want to see or just a quick drive by kind of visit?
Are you planing on any of the larger cities like Rome? Florence? Venice? Or skipping all of those for now?
How much time do you want or need in Barcelona or the Almafi Coast?
There are too many options and too many unknowns to give practical advice.

PalenQ

If going slowly along the coast by land trains are best IMO if going to main cities like Nice- for lots on European trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Renting a car in one country and returning it to another usually means steep drop-off charges for doing so.

That said you may want to rent a car in say Nice and drive thru the heart of tourist Provence - Aix,Avignon, Arles area and return in near the Spanish border and train into Barcelona.

PalenQ

Amalfi Coast and travel along the French Riviera and end up in Barcelona. We would also like to see Cinque Terre if possible. Our time frame is somewhat flexible but probably not much more then 2-1/2 weeks.>

2.5 weeks

Amalfi - 4 days
Rome- 4 days
CT- 2 days
Nice- 3 days
Avignon Area- 3 days
Barcelona - 3 days

About as quick as could do via train or car

sueqn

Sorry I wasn't more specific. We have been to Europe, Italy before. We have been to Florence, Rome, and Venice. Barcelona is actually just a place for us to fly out of in route to Lisbon where we are meeting up with friends. We have been to Barcelona before so we don't need to spend any time there. Since my original post I looked into renting a car possibly in Florence and driving along the French Riviera and ending up in Barcelona the cost wasn't actually that bad and my husband loves to drive. We really want to see the Amalfi Coast but have been to Pompei so don't need to go there. I guess our interest is basically sight seeing. I guess one of my main questions is if it is possible to go to both the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre without traveling to far out of the way in route to Barcelona.

PalenQ

Why are yous going to Barcelona to fly to Lisbon - why not fly from someplace in France- you could drive along the coast the whole way but a better route IMO is to head to Aix-Avignon-Nimes-Montpellier and onto Barcelona.

Are you sure there is not a steep drop-off charge for picking up in Italy and returning In Spain.

and if liking to drive it is the best way for seeing the countryside -from Nice you could take the inland route via the Gorges de Verdon area to Aix - the coastal roads can get very very busy.