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Southern Spain
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Helen_Davis
Southern Spain
I was thinking about France and Israel in a previous thread, but I kind of feel an inner voice warning me to stay away from both places-- not forever, just for now. I have always been interested in Spain and loved my 2006 trip there so I wanted to know-- is Spain safe to visit now?
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Antoine Vanner
- Reader
- Posts: 70
- Joined: October 2012
- Location: South-East England
Travelling in France or Spain or anywhere else
[quote=""Helen_Davis""]I was thinking about France and Israel in a previous thread, but I kind of feel an inner voice warning me to stay away from both places-- not forever, just for now. I have always been interested in Spain and loved my 2006 trip there so I wanted to know-- is Spain safe to visit now?[/quote]
Of course France and Spain in general are safe to travel in. I do so regularly. But no matter where you travel to observe the Golden Rule "Don't go to the sort of areas you would steer clear of in your own country". In every country in the world - including your own - there are places you would steer clear of - so do the same when abroad.
If in doubt ask advice from front-desk staff at your hotel and you'll almost certainly get good advice. As I've visited over 50 countries, lived long-term in 8 and did shorter jobs in some 20 others, including many with serious security problems, I've found that common sense of this nature serves one very well.
Of course France and Spain in general are safe to travel in. I do so regularly. But no matter where you travel to observe the Golden Rule "Don't go to the sort of areas you would steer clear of in your own country". In every country in the world - including your own - there are places you would steer clear of - so do the same when abroad.
If in doubt ask advice from front-desk staff at your hotel and you'll almost certainly get good advice. As I've visited over 50 countries, lived long-term in 8 and did shorter jobs in some 20 others, including many with serious security problems, I've found that common sense of this nature serves one very well.
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Helen_Davis
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Madeleine
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 5835
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: "Murder before Evensong" by Rev Richard Coles
- Preferred HF: Plantagenets, Victorian, crime, dual time-frame
- Location: Essex/London
Yes, Antoine's advice is spot on. Most visitors to cities are advised that petty theft ie pick-pocketing, bag-snatching, is the biggest risk - especially on public transport, so just use common sense really - don't carry lots of money, or leave valuables eg cameras, i-pods etc on display, and don't go anywhere that looks a bit grotty or where there aren't too many people about. Pretty much the same rules as if you were visiting a large city in your own country.
Currently reading "Murder before Evensong" by Rev Richard Coles
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Helen_Davis
I think I'm scared of traveling because I'm an American and I'm afraid Europeans will automatically assume I'm an idiot and give me grief and treat me badly-- at least based on the comments of some Europeans on YouTube who assume I'm stupid because I'm an American. This is why I hate stereotypes 
Of course, I'm very feisty and would give it right back to them, but I like to be a polite person and make friends when I travel. I had no problems in Spain in 2006 or in Argentina in 2007 or 2009.
Of course, I'm very feisty and would give it right back to them, but I like to be a polite person and make friends when I travel. I had no problems in Spain in 2006 or in Argentina in 2007 or 2009.
Last edited by Helen_Davis on Mon December 3rd, 2012, 10:13 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Helen_Davis
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Antoine Vanner
- Reader
- Posts: 70
- Joined: October 2012
- Location: South-East England
Justifiable Pride
[quote=""Helen_Davis""]I think I'm scared of traveling because I'm an American and I'm afraid Europeans will automatically assume I'm an idiot and give me grief and treat me badly-- at least based on the comments of some Europeans on YouTube who assume I'm stupid because I'm an American. This is why I hate stereotypes
Of course, I'm very feisty and would give it right back to them, but I like to be a polite person and make friends when I travel. I had no problems in Spain in 2006 or in Argentina in 2007 or 2009.[/quote]
Dear Helen:
Just be proud to be an American anywhere you travel in Europe!
I'm not an American myself but I know that huge cemeteries in Europe are filled with Americans who gave their lives to liberate peoples who in some cases didn't have the gumption to resist Nazi tyranny in the first place and who in many cases collaborated enthusiastically and profitably with the occupiers.
"For Our Tomorrow they gave Their Today".
This applies in much of Western Europe.
And there's nothing stupid about a nation that put men on the Moon and has been at the forefront of scientific and technological development for well over a century. So hold your head up as an American in Europe.
If you do go to Southern Spain then you'll need to see the Alhambra in Granada. Cordoba and Seville are also unmissable and I personally like Cadiz also, though that more of an acquired taste.
Lisbon and environs (Belem, Mafra, Cintra etc) is well worth a visit, though many miss it as being a little off the usual tourist routes.
Of course, I'm very feisty and would give it right back to them, but I like to be a polite person and make friends when I travel. I had no problems in Spain in 2006 or in Argentina in 2007 or 2009.[/quote]
Dear Helen:
Just be proud to be an American anywhere you travel in Europe!
I'm not an American myself but I know that huge cemeteries in Europe are filled with Americans who gave their lives to liberate peoples who in some cases didn't have the gumption to resist Nazi tyranny in the first place and who in many cases collaborated enthusiastically and profitably with the occupiers.
"For Our Tomorrow they gave Their Today".
This applies in much of Western Europe.
And there's nothing stupid about a nation that put men on the Moon and has been at the forefront of scientific and technological development for well over a century. So hold your head up as an American in Europe.
If you do go to Southern Spain then you'll need to see the Alhambra in Granada. Cordoba and Seville are also unmissable and I personally like Cadiz also, though that more of an acquired taste.
Lisbon and environs (Belem, Mafra, Cintra etc) is well worth a visit, though many miss it as being a little off the usual tourist routes.
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MLE (Emily Cotton)
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 3565
- Joined: August 2008
- Interest in HF: started in childhood with the classics, which, IMHO are HF even if they were contemporary when written.
- Favourite HF book: Prince of Foxes, by Samuel Shellabarger
- Preferred HF: Currently prefer 1600 and earlier, but I'll read anything that keeps me turning the page.
- Location: California Bay Area
Andalusia is the best part of Spain, IMHO. Toledo is worth a whole week. Also Granada and Malaga. Everybody we crossed in Adalusia was wonderfully gracious, actually so pleased with the tourism.
And of course, the Alhambra is to die for. Also Toledo's old city. If you have the time, visit some of the villages in the Alpujarra--Trevelez is the highest municipality in Spain.
Barcelona -- in fact all of Catalonia -- had a whole different atmosphere. They seem to still be carrying a chip on their shoulder over Franco. And if you communicate in Spanish, you get the cold shoulder. "Excuse me, we speak Catalan now."
Not that my Spanish is all that great. But my friend, who was raised in Barcelona, was so annoyed that she could hardly wait to get out of there.
And of course, the Alhambra is to die for. Also Toledo's old city. If you have the time, visit some of the villages in the Alpujarra--Trevelez is the highest municipality in Spain.
Barcelona -- in fact all of Catalonia -- had a whole different atmosphere. They seem to still be carrying a chip on their shoulder over Franco. And if you communicate in Spanish, you get the cold shoulder. "Excuse me, we speak Catalan now."
Not that my Spanish is all that great. But my friend, who was raised in Barcelona, was so annoyed that she could hardly wait to get out of there.
