need help

We are traveling 2nd half of November and have two choices: <BR>1) London, Paris and Brugge <BR>2) London, Madrid and Barcelona <BR>(our air works out either way to be the same price). WE love history, architecture, ambience, food. Been to Paris and loved it. <BR>I take it the weather will be better in SPain at that time. However, we are a little hesitant to go to Spain given all the crime we hear about--I know, everyone says be careful and try to blend in..however, being Asian, it is hard to not look like a tourist! Is there less crime in the winter? (ie, I noticed less gypsies in Italy in the winter than in the summer.) I read a post on another site about an asian couple violently mugged in Madrid and meeting four other asian couples at the US embassy afterward w/ the same experience. Got me a little nervous. <BR>If we opt for choice #1, would the weather be horrible 2nd half of Nov in London/Paris and Brugge? We live in California, used to winters in the 50's and some rain (no snow). <BR>Appreciate the help!

snorkelman

go to spain. that time of the year it will be cold and it is not as much fun in brugge or paris when it is cold. In the south it will be warmer. As for crime, spain is not as bad as italy, and really is not as bad as you may thinkI have been all over Europe many times and when people talk about crime, they rarely ever discuss Spain. For instance, Italy, ROmania etc are the places that most tourists run into problems. DOn't bypass spain because of fears about crime.

Marcie

Although I love Barcelona and Madrid both, I'd opt for Paris and Brugge. They are REALLY two of my favorite cities in any weather! It will be cooler but you can dress accordingly.

curt

NeedHelp <BR>I opt for the Paris/Brugge trip. We did this last November (the later part of the month over Thanksgiving). We flew into Paris arriving on Sunday morning, picked up rental car at airport, drove to Brugge, spent two days there, then drove down the French coast to Normandy, Brittany, seeing D-Day sights, Mont St. Michele, etc., then over to Loire valley for three days, then back to Paris via Chartres, and spent the last three days in Paris. We dropped the car at Orly airport on the way back into Paris and took the Air France bus into the city. No need for car in Paris. This was a very nice trip (10 days total). <BR> <BR>Expect cool but not freezing cold weather, some rain and clouds, but overall it will not be awful. There is a chance you could encounter heavy rains at this time, but we did not have a lot - only a couple of times and it was at night when the heaviest rains came. I think you would enjoy the trip. <BR> <BR>Do you plan to drive or use train. You can of course do the Eurostar from London to Brussels then local train to Brugge, then back to Brussels and the high speed train to Paris. We opted for the car because we wanted to spend time in Normandy and Loire valley and car is the best for those areas. <BR> <BR>I agree that the recent reports of the crime in Spain causes one to worry about going there. May be unfounded but on the other hand these reports would not be coming out if there was not some basis to it.

Veronica

I would choose London, Madrid & Barcelona. These cities would complement each other quite nicely. Also, Spain is beautiful in November. And how could you miss The Prado Museum in Madrid, or The Guggenheim Museum in the Barcelona area? Not to mention the wonderful nightlife of Spain. As in any country, just be cautious, and you will be fine.

Jose

Excuse me Veronica: <BR> <BR>But The Guggenheim is not near Barcelona, but in Bilbao, I think it could be 300 Km from Barcelona. <BR> <BR>But, of course, Barcelona has so many things to see. Also Madrid, and Brussels, and Paris and... <BR> <BR>But I'd prefered go to Spain because of the weather. <BR> <BR>Sure you'll enjoy