Hi Fodorites,

My husband loves to drive in Europe and we enjoy markets, small towns, interesting cities and beautiful vistas. We are considering a 12 day drive at the end of April. I am thinking we could drive from Barcelona or Toulouse to Marseilles or from Marseilles or Avignon to Milan or Nice. What do you think would be more interesting at that time of year?

Thanks,

Bonnie

One really sweet drive I've done a few times goes between Avignon and Nice via the hinterlands route on basiclaly uncrowded side roads - you can go by Moustiers and the Gorges of the Verdun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH6Be3DHvlg) and wild part of France (famous for Lavender fields in season)

then head towards the coast via Grasse - going over the ancient Route Napoleon, built for military purposes by Napoleon down to Grasse, famous perfume capital just a few miles from the hectic Cote d'Azur - drive around the lovely hill towns like Vence, St-Paul-de-Vence, etc

My casual net-surfing has slipped into plenty of local tourist information websites in the south. Every government body, from small town to big region, seems to be on-line, and lists of markets, landmarks and other hopefully interesting attractions under their jurisdictions are common. Once you have a rough idea of the route, go surfing.

all roads lead to Milan...for shopping!
tell that to your husband.

There are simply too many possibilities to try and suggest anything.

Pick one, then do some Googling as Southam suggests.