Getting to Lleida, Spain

Looking at the Wikipedia page for the Lleida airport, I see your problem: it only has very limited service, and no connecting service from international hubs. However, that page also shows that Lleida is in Catalunya, not too far from Barcelona. That's your answer - look for flights to BCN (there should be lots of choices with only one change from Montreal). Use http://www.kayak.com or http://matrix.itasoftware.com/, and look for "multi-city" (open jaw) flights, into BCN and out of a French airport. No, it's not at all too early to look and book. There are lots of other threads here about how airfares are going up, how much higher they are for this winter than previous ones, and how last minute reductions are a thing of the past.

It looks like you best bet is to fly into Barcelona and then take the train from there - it is only about 1 hour on the AVE fast train. The commuter train from the airport to the Sants train station takes 19 minutes and runs every 1/2 hour. So, for example you could take a flight that leaves Montreal at 7:50 PM and arrives in Barcelona at 2:30 PM; catch the 4:08 Cercanias train to Sants and the 6:00 Ave to Lleida arriving at 6:57.

Harold: thanks! Jeff: You beat me to it, I was actually going to ask about the train! 24 hours of straight travel? Heh, why not? The person on the other end is worth it :D Next question (related): I've only ever taken the train in Britain, so do you know which site would be best to use for buying tickets?

You can buy the tickets online here: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html
but since the trains are so frequent and you have enough time you should be able to buy the ticket at the station when you get there. That way you aren't locked into a specific train in case you are delayed.

Wonderful! Thank you!!