Barcelona 3 nights, train to perpignan rent car, sleep in coullouire. Drive to Montpellier stay there one night. Drive to Aix en Provence for 2 nights. Drive to Nice 4 nights, return car at train station. Train to Cinque terre 2 nights, train to Florence 2 nights, Train to venice 2 nights.

We are leaving November 12th - any final comments?

For me, it would be too time spent getting to and from train stations, waiting for trains, and riding in trains. And getting to and from hotels and checking in/out and packing/unpacking. BUT there are people who just aren't comfortable unless they are on the move. So if that's you, go for it. (My father is one of those sorts of folks--we could never take a long trip together)

rufus, thanks for the response. Yup we get bored pretty easily. The only thing we are hesitant about is the train from Nice onwards or to keep the car. Travelling in the car has the advantage of mobile luggage, door to door (which is an advantage with 2 kids and a stroller). on the other hand, there doesn't seem to be much need for a car in cinque terre or florence or venice and the drive from Nice to Cinque Terre doesn't sound so scenic from what I hear

Just a few comments:

We had a car in Portifino and the parking was almost as expensive as the room. (Hotel Eden--would not recommend it.) However, with two children, I can see where a car can be advantageous.

One question I have though is why you're planning to drive all the way to Aix on this trip. It seems to me it's really out of your way and IMO though Aix is nice, there are even nicer places in the south of France to spend some time. (And IMO Montpellier isn't one of them,but I was only at the train station, so it's not really fair to say that.)

Love the combination of Barcelona and Venice though--2 of my favorite cites. Your children will love Parc Guell (sp?)--so will you!

Have a great trip!

artlover, my wife really wants to go to aix plus we wanted to get a tast of provence. In the cinque terre, can you get into the five villages by car? I was thinking of staying in Levanto where parking is plentiful, then we can take the milk train throught the towns. Is that a good idea?