Can't remember the last time I felt this nervous

How long you going to be at each stop? Day or two, or several? And how many are going?

If you are going to be 5-7 days at any one city, we've found the best deal is renting an apartment, particularly if there are three or four people. We rented a great apartment in Rome, 3 bedrooms, for about 280E a day. We've done better than that elsewhere. If, for example, you want to substitute Marseilles for Nice, I can recommend a great apartment for about 850E a week.

Beats hell out of any hotel.

 

I stayed in a nice hotel in Paris in the 7th arrondissment (sp?). It was about 165 euros a night off-season though. If you're interested, I can PM details.