The rental companies advise you to keep your doors locked and windows up. Not very nice in May, but as the previous poster said, this kind of thing does happen. I've had friends who had a similar experience.

The Picasso is a Citroën model and it's a mini-van -- smaller than an American mini-van but much larger than a Mercedes A-class.

French friends of mine (two women) were in Barcelona two years ago. They had their bags on the back seat. At a stop light, a group of guys surrounded the car, opened the back doors, and made off with several bags including a digital camera. Keep your car doors locked in towns!

It might be cheaper to take standard-shift driving lessons before you come.

We rented a Mercedes in Frankfurt, but were warned that it could not be taken into Italy... didn't way why. We were only in Germany and Switzerland. It was a 4-door, but just right for two, what with our bags.

We also rented an Audi wagon one time. Now, THAT car had some room.

Carol