My family is spending two weeks in Europe this summer. We want to stay in Madrid one week, and in Loriant, France one week.

Which will be my better deal if I'm not traveling all over: eurorail, airline, or other bus/train?

I remember looking at something similar before where I could buy a three-way airfare, flying a triangle to end up back in Madrid. Is that still offered, and if so, what was it?

Any advice?

This is a tough one.....Lorient is in Britany right? Here is how I would do it if money were a consideration. Bus from Madrid to Bayonne, France (transfer in San Sebastien). In Bayonne take the TGV high speed train to Paris and again the TGV from Paris into Britany.

You could search SNCF web site and see the train schedules etc.

Check out http://www.Continental-Auto.es I believe the Buses depart from Avda. de American Intercambiador: There's a nonstop at 09:00 daily (5-hours) to Irun. It's probably a Supra Service and, as such may cost a bit more than the Euro 27.50.

I'm not sure if there is a Ferry from Bilbao to Roscoff (Fr.). You might want to check that out.

Rather than backtrack to Madrid, consider flying 'Open Jaw' (US to MAD; CDG to US) for your transatlantic journeys.

Thanks for all the good bus/train info. I love this site!

Love the idea of flying 3 legs best. I thought flying "open jaw" was soooo expensive? Is there an airline that does that without charging for two custom one-ways?

Kathi writes: If you book your flights online click on 'Multiple Destinations.' I have flown to one European destination and returned from another on Continental Airlines several times. I think most scheduled TransAtlantic Carriers will do it.

As for the Madrid-Paris 'leg,' that's a whole nuther story. I would make my reservation online with SpanAir or Iberia and pick up my tix as soon as I arrived in Madrid to get the best fare.

If you are flying from Paris to Madrid or vice versa book with Vueling (vueling.com) Make sure you sign up for there promotions by giving your e-mail. About every 6 weeks they have flights for 10 euros + taxes which makes a one way trip from Paris to Madrid for between 30 - 40 euros taxes included. I fly with them all the time. Last week did Paris - valencia. Valencia - Seville. Malaga - Barcelona and Barcelona - Paris. the price for two tickets 210 eruos taxes included for 2 people. Serious company with new airbus A320's and we haven't crashed yet.