Hi, my husband, 9yr. old son and I will be in Geneva for 3 weeks, then when we leave there we have 2 weeks left of our trip, leaving out of barcelona to fly back to u.s. I am wondering if it is too much for us to take a train to venice, stay there for 2 full days, 3 nights. Then train to Nice stay for a night, rent a car spend the next 6 days checking out some beaches and country side in the south of france, and ending up in barcelona with about 4 days to check out Barcelona in the summer, (i have been there in the winter). Does this seem like too much and should we nix the venice part or is it really worth it to add that in?
any suggestions are so very much appreciated! thanks !
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Tamara....the time you've allotted seems to be good, and if you've never been to Venice, this is a good chance to experience that destination. However, six days in Nice would be a little much for me. If it were me, I'd plan another stop, say in the Carcassonne area, to get a feel for a different part of France as well.
Be aware that you will probably pay a hefty charge to pick up a rental car in France and drop it off in Spain.
As well, if you're planning to make this trip in July or August, you may not find much in the way of accommodation left.....the beaches of southern France and northeastern Spain will be jammed.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
She's only spending one night in Nice, capiche?
I think that rhymes...
Anyway, Tamara, how were you planning to deal with the logistics of dropping off your car and getting to Barcelona in a smooth, economical and timely manner?
I've been checking into this and would love to hear your strategy.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Tamara and Bill,
Auto Europe lists the Perpignan train station as a pick up/drop off point. I expect that other agencies also have outlets there. Drop your cars there and take the train to Barcelona.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Unfortunately, there aren't a bunch of trains to choose from.
Only one fast train, which leaves before the rental car office opens.
Then most all the other departures get you into Barcelona well after I'd want to check in.
And don't even think about dropping of the car in Perpignan on a Sunday.
Posted by
OP
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7 posts
hi, yes we were thinking of dropping the car in perpinan and taking the train to barcelona. on a monday. as I have been thinking more I am thinking 2-3 days in the Nice area, to check out the area. then to provence for 2-3 days, on the 3rd day drive to perpignan maybe stopping somewhere interesting on the way? any suggestions? then drop the car off in perpignan and head to barcelona for 3-4 days till we take off? any thoughts? also if anyone has ideas for side trips from geneva for the weekends and also for my son and I to do in surrounding areas while the husband is attending classes. Thanks so much!
Posted by
Reseda, CA, USA
196 posts
Yes I really think you could drop Venice if it's not important to you. I love Italy but there will be very precious time and money being spent getting there and to Nice. You could spend much more time in provence. You must add more time in Nice and consider using a train to get from beach town to beach town. This would be much easier because of parking etc. At some point you could rent a car for a day and go see Grasse and Mougin. I like the suggestion of Carcassonne, an easy train ride from Arles (a nice stop on the way too). If it were me the itinerary would look like this:
Nice 3 nights (train)
-day trip to Cannes, Antibes or Grasse(car)
Cassis 2 nights (train)
Arles or Avignon 2 nights(train)
-day trip to Pont du Gard(car)
Carcasssonne 2 nights(train)
Barcelona(train)
Of course whatever you decide you will have a great time. It just seems you need some more time in Nice or you will miss the opportunity to really taste la salade nicoise. I tell everyone that goes to Nice to go to the Beaurivage beach resort for a great day of full service beach bliss. There is nothing like being served chilled wine on your plush cushioned chair while soaking in the beautiful scene and doing some major people watching. Don't miss the old town for dinner at night!
Have a great time!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Bill,
The Auto Europe site lists an after-hours drop box at the Perpignan airport. You could take a taxi from there to the train station. That would work for Sundays.
Monday-Saturday the office at the train station opens at 08:00. The first direct Perpignan-Barcelona train departs at 08:57 and arrives at Barcelona Sants at 11:46.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Okay, my bad... I thought the Perpignan office opened at 9:00 on Saturday.
The after-hours drop at the airport is good to know--thanks--just in case we want to stay longer somewhere.
Making sure to get the morning Talga (and I would think, having a 9-yr.-old in tow) would likely necessitate spending the night near the train station.
But in a pinch Sunday drop-off and the evening slow train would save us from being a full day behind schedule.
Shame on the AutoEurope rep for not mentioning that, and kudos to Tim.