massimop

Some years ago friends of mine were traveling in Italy and caught got in a demonstration that turned chaotic. They did not know they were in the vicinity of a demonstration until many people started stampeding down the very narrow street they were walking on, chased by truncheon swinging police. As it was a Sunday morning, very little was open, and they had to squeeze themselves into a doorway to avoid getting knocked over. They ended up inhaling some teargas, but fortunately neither of them had respiratory conditions. Although they were not elderly, they were not young enough to outrun police, nor did they want to be mistaken for protestors and beaten. Fortunately the violent scene quickly moved beyond them and they were able to slip away, but they were shaken.

If I were looking for a relaxing getaway in the next few weeks, I wouldn't pick Catalonia right now.

yestravel

As I said, everyone has to travel within their own comfort zone. Certainly if one is not comfortable with what's going on now, they should look for alternative plans that they are comfortable with. Others may figure, who knows what will happen anywhere on any given day and plan to stick with their original plans.

I do agree that the inconvenience of strikes is a PIA. We just had a flight cancelled due to strikes in France. Also had friends in Toulouse a couple weeks ago and they got caught in a demostration there. No big deal for them and certainly not expected. One never knows what each day will bring.

ancl123

Ditto to quiltingmama thanks for the feedback It was helpful.

massimop

I think the idea that "who knows what will happen any day anywhere" is not really relevant -- not only not relevant to this conversation, but to travel in general. People are not going to Syria for a vacation. That doesn't mean that Barcelona has the same problems as Syria, but what it means is that ALL travellers actually do measure risk when they plan trips.

What is irrelevant is to equate what is happening in Barcelona with a piece of masonry in an old church falling on a tourist and killing him (which is what happened this morning in Italy).

What is going on in Barcelona is not an accident. The likelihood of unrest is what informed people (and not just tourists) are trying to assess. There is information out there that is protective of one's money & plans. It's not just "Who knows what could happen?"

Travel is expensive. Travel is actually fairly rare for most people. People also have obligations to others that make it unwise for them to take unnecessary risks.

There are excellent, intelligent, unemotional reasons for changing one's plans away from Barcelona for the upcoming weeks if one is a tourist, and people who are pondering their situation should not be made to feel like they are overly anxious and merely imagining the downsides of a ruined vacation. Catalonia and the government in Madrid have embarked on a course that could lead to violence.

maitaitom

We were sort of prepared not to like Madrid due to many comments, but we loved it. The Prado is our favorite art museum in the world and the Royal Palace is not to be missed. I would also spend a couple of nights in Toledo (just a short 30-minute train from Madrid.

joannyc

Salamanca, Avila, Segovia, Zaragoza, Tarragona are all good locations. Some combination of them could make a good week.

Hnh6

I just got back from Madrid last week. There was also a demonstration there but certainly the atmosphere is not as in Barcelona.

Madrid is very walkable, and the metro is well connected if you don't want to walk. It's not exactly pretty, but it has some gems like the Prado and Retiro park, and when you're ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of Sol/Gran Via, you can go to the Salamanca neighborhood where it's quieter. Toledo is an easy day trip from Madrid and my favorite lll. There is a HOHO bus and a train that can take you around town if you get tired of the slopes. Segovia, Avila, and Salamanca can also be done. I did not go to Avila and Salamanca but I saw advertisement for bus tours everywhere, including at our hotel lobby.

Macross

We just left Spain recently but the base put out a warning yesterday about travel to Barcelona. The normal warning but this caught my eye for this weekend.

Be aware that many services including mass transit, restaurants, and museums may be closed due to strikes and protests.

quiltingmamma

Word from those on the ground in Barcelona is all is quiet. Media is set up in main square,,,waiting. Protests are expected....not strikes.....at lwast today and tomorrow.

donnae_b

Look at 9 days in Spain post .. u can get additional information related to you trip

danon

I am watching demonstrations in Barcelona on TV
...two leaders of minor Catalan parties were arrested some days ago by the
federal police for " inciting violence " ( or something like that )during the voting process
....their release has become.a big rallying cause for the protesters.
There are hundreds of thousands of people , but it is peaceful protest , for now.
Some Catalan politicians have compared the actions of the fed. Government
to Franco 's. Ridiculous . There is not a policemen in sight to stop the demonstration


For the first time ,in many visits to Madrid , I have seen Spanish flag displayed on numerous buildings and balconies.

jamikins

In Madrid for the weekend - have seen tonnes of Spanish flags on balconies but have seen nothing else. No protests etc. All quiet here...

danon

Yes, Madrid is quiet.. But all those flags are making a loud statement

IMDonehere

There has long been a feud between Madrid and Barcelona. It is cultural, historical, economic, and linguistic. While Madrid is the political capital, Catalunya is the economic core of Spain and for many the cultural center, despite Madrid's world class museums.

And Catalans have long had a strong separatist strain. The difference this time, is the excuse for nationalism in Madrid, as seen in many other industrialized countries now and the thuggish tactics of PM Rajoy. It is an old problem made worse by the Spanish government.

There are some who see the similarities between now and the years leading up to the Spanish Civil War.

danon

Catalunya may not be the " economic core of Spain" for much longer

Already ,over 1000
companies have moved their headquarters to Madrid from Barcelona
I assume they wish to be registered in the EU in case of Declaration of Independence by Catalans.
Catalunya has its own culture , history and language, but I doubt the rest of Spain
considers Catalunya (or Madrid ) their cultular capital.

The economy of Spain will be influenced whatever happens. Too bad.

Bedar

@Danon - an excellent point about the companies wanting to remain registered in the EU !!

ritaw

Thank you massimop, that is exactly how I feel. We still have hope to visit Barcelona, but with our short stay just avoiding areas while a protest is going on is not feasible. With today's upgrade there is still talk of civil disobedience, possible strikes,and possible violence. Those are things I am worrying about notif a stone tumble down or a terrorist will suddenly attack. Our airline reservations do not leave us much alternative but to fly into Barcelona so we still hope for the best, but I am still looking at last minute alternatives. I will book hotels that can be cancelled with 24 hour notice instead of airbnb and will hope for last minute air or train if things look bad.

LoackerReturns

Seville will likely still be warm and sunny in November.

WeisserTee

We didn't watch the demonstration on TV. We were there. It was peaceful. The demonstrators we spoke with were polite and sincere, not destructive, wild-eyed radicals. We didn't--and don't--feel threatened or unsafe.

denisea

Good to know Weisser Tee...I leave for Barcelona on Wednesday.