Option 2 comments:

Why Marseilles? The food and wine are great, there’s a very diverse culture, and there are some interesting museums, but I think there are much better places than one of the world’s busiest freight ports to use as a base for this part of France.

I would take the train to Nice (or Marseilles) and then rent a car after you got there. Explore the Riviera (train has some advantages along the coast, but it’s also great to drive) and Provence (much easier by car than public transportation). I would stay in one of the smaller locales along the coast (Antibes, Ville Franche sur Mer, St. Laurent du Var) or in one of the tiny medieval villages “above” the Riviera (La Gaude, Vence, St. Paul, St Jeannet) and explore the various beaches (all different), Impressionists studios and small museums, and a number of the small towns by car. If you’re on the coast, taking the train to Marseilles for a day trip would avoid the freeway and big city driving, but you could do that by car, too. If you have ANY interest in art, do not miss the Matisse Chapel.

Driving in this area is daunting. Narrow, curvy mountain roads and ultra aggressive French drivers. I know of nothing close to comparable in the US — but it was a great way to get around. I did not like the urban freeway aspect of the toll roads along the coast, but it was like driving in any big urban area. I assume you have a hefty budget? Driving for 2 of you will be quite a bit more costly than the train. I would not rent the cheapest subcompact — get something with enough power to handle the mountain roads.

Flight to Cinque Terre makes sense as the train options aren’t great. You could also drive it, but renting another car in Italy if you want will probably be cheaper than the additional charges for 2 countries and the expense of rent-in-one-country/drop-off-in-another.

I would cut a couple of days from your week in Cinque Terre and add it to the South of France, but there are plenty of places in Italy you could explore in those days, too.

Hey!

I have not any itinerary for Europe, But i can suggest one place for great time spend.

*Enjoy a Marvelous Trip to the Hidden Places of Umbria.

Umbria, located to the east of Tuscany, is home to some of the most interesting and beautiful towns in Italy. These towns are rich in history, art and architecture and parts of it are within reach of Greve in Chianti.