kimhe,

These all look like places/sights we'd be interested in. Should keep me busy for some time--thanks again.

When I was in Barcelona and Madrid I did the menu del dia lunch as well. Most of them were a good deal and filling enough that I could get by with just a light dinner about 8 pm or so. I'm curious as to what this might cost in the south of France. I understand they have the equivalent of this there.

So glad to hear about the public transport. Sometimes it's nice to not have to navigate and just sit back and enjoy the ride. I've also met a lot of people that way.

So I'm going to check out all the info and keep you posted on my decision.

To All:
Any more information about the south of France is welcome, so I can compare the two.

Suec,

I think you read my mind about the menu of the day. Do you feel you get your money's worth in France? I know I usually felt that way when I visited other parts of Spain.

I've heard that getting a decent room in Nice is tough, which is one of the reasons we're thinking about all of this now. Any hotels in particular that you can recommend? I don't know if you saw this in a previous post, but I like smaller hotels/hostals to large, "box" hotels.

Christina,

I just wanted to move this to the top of the list so you could find it more easily.

This is to say thanks to everyone for all the information, particularly on Spain. I can't believe the number of responses I got.

I'd just like to hear from anyone who's been to Provence/Cote d'Azur and your thoughts on it.

Thanks.

Hi there, I have been to both places, currently spending a month in Spain and around the southern area...have done it all by train. Took in the main cities and smaller places down south...Seville is divine, a charasmatic small town, Granada's Allumbra was amazing - if you stay there do NOT stay in the city but in the surrounding Sacremonte hills, we stayed in caves at one property...I spent 8 days in Provence the year before last. 3 nights Avignon in the old quarter, just wonderful, fabulous food at Fu de FaFa..then hired car and drove around the Luberon spending 2 nights in B&B's different locations. Bonnieux was a silent little village, so picturesque and not overun with tourists like the Gordes etc. Amazing B & B there and a 10 step walk across the cobblestones to an amazing restuarant, simply art on a plate and amazing value, had to repeat a visit there for my second night...day trip to Cassis, a seaside village 25 km from Marsielle, a picture postcard place, so gorgeous I wish i had stayed the night. GPS somehow directed me into Marsielle on the way back to Aix de Provence, I dont care if I never saw the place, a big smelly city, not easy to navigate around. i prefer smaller places. Also visited the Pont du gard 40 mins from Avignon, an amazing place with beautiful river and stunning aquaducts..a place of natural beauty, you could take a picnic and spend half a day there...Provence had so much to offer and I loved it, but you need a car...I have written a day by day story of my days there, i could post it if you are interested, will return home to Australia on 18th June. The journal is very detailed and has all the locations of where I stayed (and ate!!) cheers