I think the problem is that if you want to do awesome hikes plus awesome beaches plus the most famous cities in six countries plus the cities with cool nightlife plus the small places with cobblestones, you run out of time in five weeks.

Each place is worth visiting but if I was you, I think I'd decide that something has to go.

Barcelona might be a good place to fly out of. It's a great city, has a great nightlife and a city beach (not a great beach but you walk there from a hotel in a city centre). But if you go for Barcelona, something else has to be scrapped.

Ya obviously I have some time to narrow down my trip which from what Ive heard needs to be done. Right now I am still in the research stage and have maybe naively bit off more then I can chew for one trip haha.

From experience can anyone tell me whether Dresden, Germany or Colmar, France are worth visiting?
I came across Colmar while doing some research today and completely fits the bill of what I was looking for in a small town to stop over in for one night. What a beautiful place!