Paris, Normandy, Madrid, Toledo and Granada

My advice is - thank your father, but gently (but firmly) let him know that some of what he's asking is crazy talk. Too many places, which are too far away from each other, for just 10 days. With just 10 days, I'd suggest you choose either Paris and Normandy, or Spain. Not both. And I'd certainly not want to try and drive to all of those places. 10 days gives you enough time to do Paris and Normandy at a reasonable, enjoyable pace. That's a great 10 day trip. Or, you could do 10 days in Spain, centered on Madrid, Toledo and Granada. You could add one or two other worthwhile cities/highlights nearby: pick from Cordoba, Sevilla, maybe the white hill towns (or other great stuff nearby). But even then, with just 10 days, that's pushing it. For "Altamira" I assume you are referring to the caves. That's quite a distance from all the other stuff in Spain that you're likely to hit, and I would not recommend trying to squeeze that in - you would probably burn up a whole day getting there and another day getting back - with only 10 days, for most of us it's not worth spending 3 of them for that. Finally, regardless of whether you end up doing France or Spain (really, you are not going to squeeze in both - not if you plan to actually see anything and enjoy the trip), think long and hard about when (or whether) you really need a car. Hope that helps.

I second what David said-you'll really have to pick one or the another. In 10 days, you could have a great trip to Paris and Normandy and see quite a bit, same goes for 10 days in Spain. Right now you have 6 "places" (Normandy is a large region) and only 10 days, so that's not even two nights in each. Another factor: picking up a car in one country and returning it in another is very expensive. I always take trains when traveling in Europe, but I imagine driving from Paris to Madrid would eat up an entire in itself. And don't forget to thank your father for funding the trip!

I agree with the other posters~too much driving....choose instead a limited area and enjoy it. All you will be doing is driving, driving, driving and not enjoying the trip.

Dad might want to consider contemplating the time and space conundrum. A "Planning Map of Europe" from your local AAA office is most helpful in this regard.

My advice is 1) that's too many destinations in too little time (though all great destinations) 2) a rental car is much more trouble that it's worth in big cities (though essential in Normandy) 3) a rental car taken across national boundaries will incur a huge drop fee (probably exceeding the price of the rental). I agree with the person who said pick one country. The problem is Paris and Madrid are both great, eating up 4-5 days minimum. Any less and you will leave wishing you had had more time. Actually with Paris, no matter how much time you will wish you had more. If you pick France you could do five days in Paris, three in Normandy, two in either Brittany or the Loire. If you pick Spain you have more than enough for ten days. Too many good choices.. I have this problem myself, all the time! Any way you slice it you will have a great ten day trip.

I agree with everyone, too much, too little time. If going to Normandy, consider a Battle Bus Tour, best way to see everything in the least amount of time. and they are great.

you could just vist paris, then with a rental car drive to normandy (most older folks want to see the beach and battlefields), then you fly or train to madrid or seville. if you choose madrid then you can cover toledo, or with seville you can cover granado or cordoba, but you have to choose and skip to make it under 10 days. in general 10 days is not even enough to see spain with the cities you listed, so you better off to save one country for next year.

Bill, No more BattleBus, sorry...