Travel Safety

If you don't want to go, Kerstin, I'll take your tickets for you! Seriously, though....I have traveled in Spain alone and as long as you keep your head about you and use the same common sense you would at home, you will be fine.

Thanks Nancy. I've just been reading all these travel alerts on the US goverment's site and Spain seems to be the most frightening.

There are no travel warnings, and the State Department's current alert is for terrorist threat in Europe generally. I was just in Spain about this same time last year...it felt and is as safe as any place I've ever travelled to in Europe. Nancy's right...just take the standard safety and personal security precautions that you would take when visiting any large city & you'll have a great time. If I could go to Spain again tomorrow, I would be on the first flight out. Happy travels!

We left for Italy and Spain the week the travel alert was issued. While it was a little disconcerting, I never contemplated cancelling my trip. I felt safe in both countries. A travel alert is just that - an alert. Be aware of your surroundings and leave a detailed itinerary with family. I did take the precaution of registering my trip with the state department. However, only you know your own comfort level.

Kerstin, as I have posted many times, your greatest risk or exposure to bodily injuring will occur on your drive to the airport. And you don't think twice about making that drive, do you?

Just be prepared. ALWAYS wear your money belt. It is the single most important thing in your travels. In December you will need a jacket, I have a reversible one which gives me pockets on the inside for daily cash. Dress like a local, leave those brand new white Nikes at home; never speak English in the metro( whisper in your companions ear), it draws attention and everyone looks at you speaking English; never get distracted, walk over people if you have to, don't stop when spoken to, you are not there to converse with the locals on the street, be rude if you have to. Never pull out a map or travel books, just step into a shop and do it there, people do not mind. Be aware of your surroundings and people in general. I tend to look at people holding a cell phone to see if they are eyeing something/somebody. If you sit back and watch it is so interesting. I am a regular in Chicago and follow these general rules too, except for the dress. Have you ever been on public transportation and there is a group conversing/or cell phone conversation and you can see people listening to them. Traveling to Europe since 1990 with children and alone and never had any problems. BTW, my money belt goes to Chicago with me too. Don't be paranoid , just smart and safe and you will have a good time.

Kerstin, As the others have mentioned, if you wear a Money Belt and follow the "usual" precautions, you shouldn't have any problems. You might want to have a look at This Section of the Graffiti Wall as it has good information on the most common scams. If you know what to look for, it's less likely you'll be victimized. One scam that I've encountered in Europe can be seen on This Video. I never sign anything and I'm very cautious whenever these individuals are within arm's length. Happy travels!

And if Nancy changes her mind I'll take the tickets. Wear a money belt or neck wallet and USE IT. Other than that use common sense but don't hesitate to go and enjoy!

My girlfriend and I had similar concerns about our trip to Barcelona after reading through the avalanche of online warnings. We were there for three nights and never felt threatened once. Wear your money belt and keep your head about you and you'll be fine. It's a wonderful city and the people are kind and friendly.

If I could put your mind at ease I would and I do understand the fear of the unknown. All I can say is as Europeans, (Brits living in Germany) I would say that no amount of 'warnings' has ever deterred us from travelling around the continent. In England we lived next to Benson airfield which had a constant 'Amber Alert' and the village was patrolled by servicemen with guns. What I am trying to say is, the warnings have become a way of life and are barely heeded. They are something that are always in the back of your mind I grant, but as they are probably here for the duration and we will never 'get back to normal' then it a risk (and a small one) you have to decide to run. As previously posted you have more chance of being in a car accident. I really hope you decide to come!

Please do not be afraid to speak with the local population as Pab suggested. How else will you get a feel for the country you are in? This is an ungrounded fear. My best trips have been when I spoke with the people around me. Asked the shopkeeper where the best restaurant was, talked with people on the trains and at the bus stops, had conversations with neighboring tables at outdoor cafes, chatted with people in line at museums, played peek-a-bo with the kids in strollers, etc. You can wear your white shoes without another thought too. Contrary to popular belief, people in Europe wear white shoes also, the store windows at Foot Locker are full of them. I am registered with the American Consulate here and if there was some kind of terror threat, we resident expats would have been notified.

I traveled to Spain by myself twice and I never had any problems. I wore my money belt, wore a crossbody bag, and had a great time practising Spanish. It's my favorite country!

I've travelled alone in Spain multiple times and NEVER had a problem. Read Rick Steves safety tips which apply to travel anywhere. My first solo trip was in 1982 after almost memorising Rick's first edition of Europe Through The Back Door. Just always be aware of your surroundings, use common sense and wear a moneybelt concealed on your person. I found Spanish men to be the most courteous while I was constantly annoyed by Italian and southern French men when alone.
If you remain alert and always look as though you know where you are going and avoid dicy situations in crowds you should have no problems.

I would go on with your plans. As others have said, you would have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (or really have bad luck). Or if your time is up, it is up. However,
this is all a fact of life now, and I would still do what I wanted to do or have planned. I have gone to Europe for the last 20 years almost every year and and have loved every minute of it. Too bad I am not rich. I have spent most of my time in Germany( because of friends) and Italy (because of relatives) and I try to blend in with the locals. Of course, this is easier to do with the relatives, but even in Germany with friends, or in Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and other places I like, I have tried to do like the Europeans and enjoy the time and where I am. It is enjoyable to talk to people at the cafes, train stations and airports as you travel and to learn things about the area and where the best places are to eat that the locals use.,or the sites to see. But in any case, enjoy your trip and just be careful like you would in the US visiting an area that you haven't been or even if you have been there before. These days you can never tell what might happen. Enjoy your trip and have fun.