What Order? (France, Spain, Italy)

[Nicpak]

I thought I had this all figured out, but upon *really* looking at the map, I'm not so sure anymore.

Between June 3rd and June 24th, my travel partner and I (both students) will be working our way from Heidelberg to Rome (the 24th will be our first day there). Places we'd like to hit in that time include:

- Paris
- Barcelona
- maybe some of the beaches on the northern Spain/ southern France coast (any recommendations?)
- Nice
- Gryon, Switzerland (east of Lake Geneva, between Lausanne and Brig)
- probably Interlaken?
- Cinque Terra

Originally my thought was Heidelberg -> Paris -> Barcelona -> coast -> Nice -> Switzerland -> Cinque Terra -> Rome via train. But now I realize just how far east (relatively) Nice is, and that route is making less sense due to what seems like backtracking.

Any advice from those who know the train routes (high speed, etc) in that region?

Thanks a million!
~Nicole

[nitsansh]

Nice to Gryon will be hell of a journey... though a very scenic one!
Consider rearanging the itinerary and go to Gryon from Heidelberg or Paris, before going to Spain or southern France.
Lausanne is connect by direct trains to Paris (several times a day) and Barcelona (at least 3 times a week), or you can fly on board Easyjet from Geneve to Barcelona.