GJAJKJ

I will be going to Spain & France in July/August.
We want to fly in to Barcelona where we will join our daughter from a Summer study program and then fly out of Paris. We were hoping to do Barcelona, the Rivera and Paris.
Any and all advice welcome. We have not visited this part of Europe.
Thoughts??

nytraveler

It would help to know your interests - to help focus the itinerary. Do you want beaches, small towns or only large cities?

Are you planning on traveling by train or car?

For info on accommodations etc you would really need to provide a specific nightly budget and what amenities you expect.

GJAJKJ

Great questions and we are not yet certain. We would be open to car but I have heard the trains are easier and just as fast? Hotels we would like to keep below $300 US/night. We don't mind some big cities... but want more of a "get away" so were hoping for a majority of smaller towns. We want to get to know the culture/food/fun and a museum or 2. Thought of doing wine tours outside of Paris?

IMDonehere

There is usually a big drop off fee when renting in one country and dropping off in another. Also take a look at Viueling and Easy Jet and see if there are any cheap fares between Barcelona and Paris. Note: Some flights may not go from the main airports.

And although I have not taken it there is a high speed train between Barcelona and Paris.

kimhe

<We don't mind some big cities... but want more of a "get away" so were hoping for a majority of smaller towns.>

Barcelona will to some extent cover both. A very local and almost small town feel in the Gracia, Poble Sec and Barceloneta districts.

Gracia: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ia-barrio.html
Poble Sec: https://www.airbnb.no/locations/barcelona/el-poble-sec
Barceloneta: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

And Montjuic is a wonderful respite right in the city center. Spectacular views of both the city and the sea from the castle on the top, and fabulous museums, theaters and some Olympic sport arenas. http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...SJpH1t4T6vJumh
You can take the Teleferic up here: http://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/

I can highly recommend Hotel Neri. Located in a tranquile spot right in the heart of the city. Our best hotel experience ever. 20% off if payed more than 30 days in advance, which meant 190€ for a paradise double. http://www.hotelneri.com/en/ http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nerihr.en-gb.html

I can give you many tips on excellent tapas bars and restaurants, both local atmosphere, traditional or cutting edge/gourmet. Just let me know what kind of places you are looking for.

PalenQ

If wanting to visit Barcelona, The Cote d'Azur and Paris only then I'd take the train for sure - cars are useless in big cities and the French Riveria has trains and buses that go everywhere all the time - no spot of interest in the Riviera cannot be easily reached by public transit IME.

Anyway for lots on French trains: www.capitainetrain.com - advance booking can yield a lot cheaper fares but then they are train-specific and can't be changed nor refunded I believe and since they are sold in limited numbers and do sell out must be booked in stone weeks ahead of time.

But for Barcelona-Marseilles-Nice trains and Nice-Paris trains you can save tons by pre-booking if you do not need flexibility. check these sites for great info on trains: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. You can always buy full-fare tickets IME if you want flexibility but at a much higher cost.

consder stopping off between Nice and Paris in say Avignon, about half-way timewise by train and use it as a base for a few days - hop by train to Arles, a neat old city or take a bus to the Pont du Gard or Les Baux - two very famous places.

Gretchen

consder stopping off between Nice and Paris in say Avignon, about half-way timewise by train and use it as a base for a few days - hop by train to Arles

They have 2 weeks. Consider leaving Nice out and do the Avignon thing.

PalenQ

It would be a lot less travel substituting Avignon/Arles for Nice but two very different areas - maybe they want a seaside thing - if not I think the Provence around Avignon is perhaps the finest part of France outside Paris.

GJAJKJ

Please keep all the information coming. All this is very helpful! On the Rivera what are the top 3 spots/cities to see?

Gretchen

You have 2 weeks!!

PalenQ

On the Rivera what are the top 3 spots/cities to see?>

Well I'd say the main spots are:

Nice itself for a day and trek up to Cimiez by bus vor the views and Roman theatre and art museum - at night some outdoor shows there

A day in dem hills - take a bus to say St-Paul-de-Vence and Vence - go to Vence first and then walk a slightly downhill trail thru bucolic countryside to St-Paul-de-Vence - check out the Foundation Maeght - an acclaimed modern art museum onthe edge of St Paul.

3- Antibes is a great old town - Van Gogh Museum in an old fort on the sea - nearby Cannes has of cousre fine beaches and luxurious yachts

or go east towards Monaco - a unique place because it's Monaco - again fancy yachts - take the train there and bus back via Eze - perched high above the sea - great views - bus from there back to Nice.

GJAJKJ

So it seems majority may say to forget Nice and insert Avignon and area? We really want to get a feeling for France. Thoughts?

HappyTrvlr

You need to decide if you want to spend more time in Provence or on tne Cote d'Azur.
I tecommend a car for Provence . Buses and trains work well on Cote d'Azur. Nice is wonderful.

Mimar

Yes, Avignon is not on the Riviera. Inland Provence is a whole different experience. I'd stick to what you said you wanted, the French Riviera. And base in Nice; it is a lovely city, with very good public transportation options for sightseeing along the Cote d'Azur (another name for the French Riviera). There are more transportation options into and out of Nice vs. inland Provence.

I'd look into flights between Barcelona and Nice, and between Nice and Paris. But trains could do the job too.

kimhe

Menton is a lovely small town, upscale in a very laid-back way. Some 20 miles from Nice and even closer to Monaco:
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...ant-food-drink
http://www.tourisme-menton.fr/-Mento...-Riviera-.html