Barcelona Trip

[originalang]

Just booked flights to Barcelona for my husband and I in Feb for a joint birthday treat. Since then i've heard worrying stories about pick pockets, muggings etc which have left us quite anxious, confused about where to stay safely and to be honest if we could afford it we would cancel and go somewhere else. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel reasonably priced, accessible from airport and hopefully make our birthdays a success. thanks for your help.

[vehelpfulguy]

I think if you went to any major city in the world you would get warnings about pick pockets and muggings.

If you worried about them you would not go anywhere.

I use a Neck Wallet when abroad, like this:

http://www.zugvoegel-shop.de/images/product_im ages/popup_images/neck-wallet.jpg

I keep my credit cards and money in it.

Difficult to get your pocket picked or mugged when it is in a wallet round your neck.

You can get them at any airport, or high street luggage shop.

[vehelpfulguy]

Some basic things to keep safe (applies to anywhere really):

Dont walk round with a handbag loosely slung over your shoulder, too easy to snatch. Wear it across your chest (left shoulder to right waist)

Dont leave a handbag unzipped. Have money or purse under TWO levels of zips. Buy a handbag with zipped compartmemts, and / or a fold over flap.

Dont leave a wallet in a back pocket, easy to pick pocket in a crowd.

Dont carry ALL your money and credit cards with you when you go out, take just enough for the day.

Split the money for the day between the two of you so you dont lose it all.

Keep a couple of small notes to hand (say 10 pounds worth). If you do get mugged offer them the money and they may be happy with that (I have to say I have travelled all over the world and many major cities and NEVER been mugged).

Dont flash loads of money around.

Keep away from rough areas, back alleys, dark streets and so on. Stay where most of the tourists are.

Buy a neck wallet as I said above.

Dont get paranoid about it. You can get mugged or pick pocketed anywhere, even your local town.

Set yourself up so that if you DO get mugged or your pcket picked they only get a small amount of money not all of it.

If you leave most of your money in the hotel room, and you have your credit cards in your neck wallet, if you DO get your wallet or purse stolen they only get a bit of cash.

It only takes a bit of planning to stop it becoming a big problem.

[originalang]

Thanx vehelpfulguy, everything you say makes sense and I know you're right, it could happen anywhere, suppose it was just that everyone I told about our plans said the same thing. Your advice will really help and we'll fly with more positive outlook, looking forward to a great birthday! You're a star! Anyone know a hotel?

[spudqueen]

I got my purse pinched out of my handbag in Barcelona last March. Having said that, I only had about 30 euros in it as I too had heard of it's reputation. I had most of my money and cards in a money belt, some in a zipped compartment in my bag, some in a larger bag I was also carrying. I did get my purse back (empty of all cash) by looking in the nearest bins!

Having said that Barcelona is a fabulous city, it certainly hasn't put me off going again, as the above posts have said, you can get mugged/stolen from ANYWHERE (my Mum had her purse stolen in Southport).

We stayed in the Hotel Monegal http://www.hotel-monegal.com/ which I would definitely use again. It wasn't swish, but we were out seeing the fantastic sites ALL day and only used it for sleeping. It was nice and clean though, and extremely central.

We found 99 per cent (I'm just discounting the thieves) of people really friendly, the sites are amazing, the food great (we just walked down a side street off La Ramblas to find great restaurants) and there are some great shops.
Remember it won't be too warm in February (though a lot warmer than here!) but you'll need a jacket.
Go and have a FANTASTIC time!

[alinic]

We Stayed in the St Moritz, which was very resonable and location was really good. You can look it up through Fly globespan! would highly recommend! Everything was spotless and all your needs catered for.
Oh and Barcelona was brill also! Enjoy

[Narolines]

In any major city you run the risk of pickpockets, and sensible precautions go without saying. Having said that, and having travelled extensively through Europe, I have to say that Barcelona does require extra vigilance; it's the only European city in which I have actually been the victim of such crime - be VERY VERY vigilant on the train from the airport to thr city centre. Barcelona is a vibrant, fascinating city - I went back despite my experence - but it does seem more prone than most to opportunist crime. Keep your wits about you, and you will have a super stay.

[originalang]

Thanks Folks for taking the time to post your encouraging messages, I really appreciate it. We're gonna go for gold whilst staying alert!

[jrtv]

Just got back from Barcelona where the weather was sunny most days and 15 deg, been many times but this time the wife had her bag stolen, there was 10 of us sitting at a pavement cafe and her bag was by her foot under the table, two men sat behind and left without ordering, when we got up to go the bag had gone, it could only have been the men behind us and they must have used a hook and stick so whatever you do leave all bags in the hotel and carry nothing outside your body, apart from that the place is great, a good hotel we use is in the cathedral square and is called www.hotelregenciacolan.com

[Toffee]

There is a lot of good advice above. My wife and I have stayed in Barcelona several times, but on the last occasion a year or two ago my wife was mugged on Rambla del Ravlan. I was only twenty feet away but couldn't get back in time. She suffered extensive heavy bruising, and we lost passports, credit cards (all but one), specs, mobile phone.
So, leave everything you don't need while you're out in the hotel safe, and stay very close together. Our experience would not put us off going back, but we would do things differently.
We were very lucky in that a stranger was nearby and proved invaluable. She was en ex-pat Scots girl whose husband runs a Scots bar in the city (the Clansman). She calmed us down, bought us a drink, and then took us to the police station, sorted out all the formalities and even arranged with her sister in London to see to the cancellation of our cards. The hotel was also magnificent (Duques de Bergara).
We hope you have a fantastic and safe time, but in the unlikely event of trouble, we hope you find such a warm-hearted person on hand.

[originalang]

Thanks jrtv and toffee, Im sorry to hear of your sad experiences buts its good to hear there are always warm helpful good hearted people to outnumber the dregs! I note you are not put off returning and welcome your advice.

[Toffee]

Thanks Originalang. The most important tip I forgot to mention! Each of you should keep photocopies of the "meaty" page of both your passports. I always carry these. With these and the officially stamped police report we travelled back without passports through customs and immigration with few delays or formalities. Don't expect police to investigate the crime. They won't. We were in a room with many others in the same situation. But if you lose passports you will need the stamped police report to get back with minimum delay.