Spain and France...places and things not to miss if one has 2 to 3 weeks?

Scott, what are your interests? What month are you going?

Looking to go in September or October 2011, and I am up for most anything (museums, churches, general sightseeing, and love to shop for well-made, unique, or handcrafted items), although I am not much of a beachgoer (especially not in October). I am equally at home touring big cities such as Paris, but also like to visit picturesque medieval villages and their surrounding countryside. I also like unique experiences, great food, communities of superior artists selling their works, and I don't mind driving.

I would not miss Bilbao which is the city where I live. Here you can see, of course, Guggenheim Museum, but also a nice city that have experienced an amazing transformation in about 15 years from a decaying industrial city to a very modern one. We also have very interesting landscapes and it is also very close (1 hour drive) to San Sebastian, another very nice city in the north of Spain. In addition, you can enjoy very good restaurants. If you decide to come, let me know, I will be glad to help you plan your time here, help you with your reservations or whatever you need.

The Mont St Michel is wonderful, as are the chateaux in the Loire valley. Paris- always wonderful- explore it as much as possible, the nooks and crannies are as much fun as the major tourist sights.

Sevilla is quite clean, friendly and beautiful...with a solid mix of old and new. Granada has the Alhambra, which is beautiful as well (especially seen from St Nicholas at dusk, mixing it up with the locals & tourists alike!)

With only 3 weeks at most, you have almost no time to absorb ONE country, let alone TWO. Choose which place you would like. If Spain, see Madrid,Segovia,Grenada, Arcos de la Frontera,Barcelona,the Balearic Islands,Sevilla and various northern cities, especially La Coruna. If France, aside from Paris, you must see the Dordogne and Provence.

My favorites in France: Provence: the Luberon hill towns, markets, Pont du Gard, scenery, Cassis, Vaison la Romaine, Uzes, St Remy. Loire Valley: Chenonceau, Villandry, scenery, town of Chinon. Normandy: Bayeux, the DDay beaches, Giverny. Paris.

We just returned from a similar trip. Fourteen days spanning Spain and France. We flew into Barcelona, took their Autobus into the city. Very easy. Then we toured all the Modernista and Gaudi architectural sights; the Dali and Picasso museums and the Maritime Museum. Best parts? The buzz! People on the streets till almost one in the morning. Great food! From there we took a train to Bordeaux, France where we traveled with friends through the Dordogne and walked the tiny villages. Best parts? The quiet loveliness of the countryside, visiting an organic goat farm, St. Emililion, and the great food and wine! From Bordeaux we took the train to Paris for four days. Visited the Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay, took a nighttime boat ride down the Seine, strolled the Champs-Elyseés and Champ du Mar to the Eiffel Tower. Best parts? Sitting at an outside cafe sipping a coffee people watching and walking the neighborhoods. Both countries offer a welcome change of lifestyle for Americans who believe their way is the best. Regardless where you go in either country you will enjoy yourself. Have fun!