Current Confusion: EuroRail, et. al.

First, I'd like to admit that M and I are considering a whirlwind 2-week stint in Europe. (Seems to be the trend this year... first NYC, now Europe in the off-season.)

Planning the trip, while all still concepts, seems to be fairly easy. Except for the trains. I do NOT understand this system at all. No matter how many times Rick Steves' can lay it out.

First, you can buy EuroRail passes for different countries, not including the Great Britain area, which is a completely different ballgame. You can purchase them for any number of trips in a certain month, or buy a monthly pass for unlimited travel in a country (I think). Then you can buy combo run passes that allow you a certain amount of travel days in anywhere from 3-5 countries. But with these passes, you can only buy first class tickets. However, if you are traveling in a party of 2 or more, you can get a 1st Class Saverpass, which is the same prices as a second class ticket. And then of course, if you want to travel from a country to another country, say France to Italy, you need a completely separate pass AND a reservation, but you can get a discount if you are a EuroRail pass-holder.

OMGWTF???

Seriously, the amount of time spent trying to figure this blasted system out, you could have rented a car and drove to France. Or at least flown. I don't mind country hopping by air. Get us there a lot faster than a night train. Although the "Harry Potter" approach to traveling seems quite appealing.

Continuing the search for the perfect solution...