Hi all! My husband and I are planning a 3 month trip to Europe. We are researching the best transportation options. This is a rough itinerary of where we are going:

Week 1: Madrid, Toledo, Cuenca, Lisbon
Week 2: Sintra, Obidos, Evora, Sevilla
Week 3: Granada, Ronda, Cordoba, Barcelona
Week 4: Southern France
Week 5: Paris/ Normandy Region
Week 6: Belgium/ Netherlands
Week 7: Rhine area/Berlin/ Dresden
Week 8: Prague, Kutna Hora, Castles
Week 9: Cesky Krumlov, Telc, Krakow, Auschwitz
Week 10: Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg
Week 11: Hallstat, Munich, Romantic Road Area
Week 12: Switzerland (Jungfrau Region)/ Venice
Week 13: Verona, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre
Week 14: Siena, San Gimignano, Rome

Do you think if we rented a car for the first 4 weeks it would be a good idea? I have heard that renting a car in Spain, Portugal and Southern France can be really convenient because you get to see a lot more of the countryside. Then for the following 2 months we can use a flexipass and point to point tickets. Does this sound like a good idea? We have never traveled in mainland Europe so we really don’t have an idea of what would be the smartest way to travel. I look forward to all your advice!!