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SwampDog · 06-03-2007, 07:34 PM

Well, I have to agree with most of the comments. I would not go back to Spain. We traveled to Madrid, San Sebastian and Barcelona. San Sebastian was trouble free but Madrid and Barcelona, never again. Here are some details:

Well, guys made it through Spain. And I must say that in between all the good moments there were some problems moments.
I'll try not to be too negative but Spain is not the same place I remember on my first trip to the Costa del Sol.

Madrid: Care should always be taken in protecting you belongings as thief is very prevalent. An attempted pick pocketing was made upon me as three kids attempted to steal my camera. Failed. We heard other case where this was successful like one particular person having it ripped off his shoulder. If you must go to Spain be prepared to practice caution and conceal what you want to keep. Seems as though Spain has been infiltrated with people from all over Europe and not exactly the best bred as you will read in our last leg of the trip.

Barcelona: Wasn't in the city 10 minutes and didn't feel good about our choice. Within and hour and a half, we were involved in a scam that resulted in my losing just about everything except my cloths, $1,000 US, passport, cell phone, credit card, debit card, airline schedule, and most important camera with close to 300 pictures from Madrid and San Sebastian. It was devastating. I lost about $1,700 dollars in less than 3 minutes. Called the police and about all they could do was file a report and help us get thing cancelled and off we went. They were very helpful and considerate. It seems that this is a very common occurrence. We meet a man from Iran and he had just gotten his luggage stolen. And later as I had to get a new passport, we meet many people that had lost valuables, one woman who fought back was stabbed. A couple we meet in the Embassy who now live and work in Switzerland and travel every chance they get said that they have had no problems elsewhere until they got to Spain. We were constantly watching our property.
Went to Madrid to the US Embassy where I had to get a passport to leave the country. An Asian woman was robbed of her baggage on the train. And the Embassy was not the experience we thought it would be. A mess to say the least.

All in all as much as we did enjoy the sites, the wondering when and if we would be attacked was always there. Everyone has a different experience and opinion but I could not recommend Spain as my future vacation spot. Too much has changed and not all for the best. So, take it for what it is. I will never return to Spain in the Ass even with as much great things there are there to see and experience. I am heading to the mountains next trip.

06-03-2007, 07:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
SwampDog Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: Barcelona crime rate Well, I have to agree with most of the comments. I would not go back to Spain. We traveled to Madrid, San Sebastian and Barcelona. San Sebastian was trouble free but Madrid and Barcelona, never again. Here are some details: Well, guys made it through Spain. And I must say that in between all the good moments there were some problems moments. I'll try not to be too negative but Spain is not the same place I remember on my first trip to the Costa del Sol. Madrid: Care should always be taken in protecting you belongings as thief is very prevalent. An attempted pick pocketing was made upon me as three kids attempted to steal my camera. Failed. We heard other case where this was successful like one particular person having it ripped off his shoulder. If you must go to Spain be prepared to practice caution and conceal what you want to keep. Seems as though Spain has been infiltrated with people from all over Europe and not exactly the best bred as you will read in our last leg of the trip. Barcelona: Wasn't in the city 10 minutes and didn't feel good about our choice. Within and hour and a half, we were involved in a scam that resulted in my losing just about everything except my cloths, $1,000 US, passport, cell phone, credit card, debit card, airline schedule, and most important camera with close to 300 pictures from Madrid and San Sebastian. It was devastating. I lost about $1,700 dollars in less than 3 minutes. Called the police and about all they could do was file a report and help us get thing cancelled and off we went. They were very helpful and considerate. It seems that this is a very common occurrence. We meet a man from Iran and he had just gotten his luggage stolen. And later as I had to get a new passport, we meet many people that had lost valuables, one woman who fought back was stabbed. A couple we meet in the Embassy who now live and work in Switzerland and travel every chance they get said that they have had no problems elsewhere until they got to Spain. We were constantly watching our property. Went to Madrid to the US Embassy where I had to get a passport to leave the country. An Asian woman was robbed of her baggage on the train. And the Embassy was not the experience we thought it would be. A mess to say the least. All in all as much as we did enjoy the sites, the wondering when and if we would be attacked was always there. Everyone has a different experience and opinion but I could not recommend Spain as my future vacation spot. Too much has changed and not all for the best. So, take it for what it is. I will never return to Spain in the Ass even with as much great things there are there to see and experience. I am heading to the mountains next trip.