Well my only vacation is in summer, so I don't have much of a choice though I know Europe would be alot better sometime during spring.

As for the route, I've been sitting here trying to decide. I also think France, Italy and Spain would be the best. I was thinking maybe land in Rome, go to Milan, Marseille, Nice, Barcelona and then Madrid, catch a plane back from there...what do u think ?

Would u recommend a train over a car? The advantage of having a car is that ur on own schedule, u can make stops wherever u want, and u get to explore more.