We've just booked plane tickets, open-jaw, into Barcelona, then leaving out of Rome, 13 days later. We had thought to work our way eastward, moving through Provence, eventually to Milan and train our way down to Rome, but it seems exceedingly difficult (and expensive) to try to get in, and out of, Provence from Barcelona (a 9 hr train trip with two transfers!). In fact, it almost seems cheaper (money and time) to just fly easyjet, etc. Barcelona to Paris and spend some time there, then fly again, Paris to Milan. We were sort of wanting to see Avignon and the Pont du Gard, but it's not looking too feasible, unless I'm missing something?! We plan to go in mid-June. Thanks in advance for any advice; I'm always amazed by the good stuff that appears on this website!
Posted by
OP
El Cerrito, CA, United States
58 posts
Thanks, Steve. We're traveling early-to-mid June (not too far away!), which I suppose is considered high season. Yes, I checked train schedules on tgv-europe.com/en (using Great Britain as my country). Even the train to, and from, a car rental point (Nice, you said?) may seem exceedingly lengthy or expensive. I'll investigate some more...
Posted by
St. Saturnin-Les-Apt, Provence, France
44 posts
Spanair now flies from Barcelona to Marseille - I checked a few random dates and was getting prices around 50 euros including taxes, which is a pretty good deal. And an hour's flight sure beats 9 on the train.
-Kevin
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Based on what both Steve and Kevin said, and on my experience driving in Provence, here is what I would do. Fly Spanair from Barcelona to Marseille. Rent a car so you have the flexibility of stopping whenever and wherever you wish between Marseille and Nice. Turn in your car in Nice and take the train to Milan.