xyz123

Have you been a victim of pickpocketing or just a victim of the fear?

have you indeed ever been to Barcelona?

I can't even stand their strip. I mean red and blue together : would you....really.

Real Madrid look majestic in all white.

Hate the place.

Have I been pick pocketed myself? No. However, about a decade ago, I took a coach tour of Spain which started in Madrid and finished in Barcelona. Hotels in those two cities were pretty good even though it was a tour (it was in April, really off season). Frankly, I couldn't stand the food when out on my own in Madrid and Barcelona, both of which we spent three nights and two full days. Was repeatedly warned by the tour director, a Spainard, to beware of pick pockets. I will repeat. I couldn't stand Barcelona. Then for a cruise in 2010, I stayed at a hotel right across from the Cathedral the night before my cruise and a couple of blocks off the Ramblas I think it is called. Again, just didn't like the vibes around me. After that, and I am taking a cruise out of Barcelona on a new ship next summer, it's the airport hotel for me. Arrive the day before, unwind at the airport hotel and transfer to the pier the next day. The less time I have to spend in Barcelona, and yes it may well be my own personality, the happier I am. Sorry if that offends anybody.

It is the depth of your vehemence, I find interesting. Nothing has happened but you have this deep vitriol. I am not offended, but I do find your behavior curious.

Drug dealers on every corner!! Rampant pick pocketing! Streets littered and smelly!!

I must have been in the wrong part of Barcelona, because we didn't see any of this (of course we were only there six days). Oh well, maybe next time we'll be unluckier.

((H))

As FDR said, "You have nothing to fear but other tourists."

Oh and I forgot to add that on that group tour of Spain we were on the coach heading towards the aeroporto and the tour director congratulated us for geing the first tour she had ever led where nobody got pickpocketed.

to be fair to xyz, someone did try to dip DH's pocket on the Barcelona underground but as I'd been telling him about not leaving his wallet in his back pocket, it was really his own fault, and he was too fast for them when he realised what was happening.

but that was it really, nothing which couldn't have happened in London or NYC.

and I am not a great fan of Barcelona, not having any great interest in or love for Gaudi, or the hoards of tourists he attracts, but I would never sit in my airport hotel room in order to avoid it or, heaven help us the food. What's not to like???

Just returned from Barcelona and Paris. You can't compare the two cities. Paris is fascinating and Barcelona is interesting. Barcelona is not particularly pretty and most of it looks alike. There is the Picasso and small Miro museums but not much else.

The food was not particularly good. We went to a restaurant called Arcano which was very god and not expensive. Most everywhere was commercial. I am glad I went but would never go back

Strange review of Barcelona... I take it you don't hang out in Miami so that you could compare experiences.

mrt seems not to have been to the same Barcelona I visited! With architecture ranging from Romanesque through Gothic through Modernisme, I would hardly say that "much of it looks alike." In addition to the Picasso and Miro museums, the Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya holds some incredible treasures, not to mention any number of Barcelona's other museums. And thanks to kimhe, I ate very well, indeed, while in Barcelona. I'm glad I saw "my" Barcelona, not mrt's!

I returned from Barcelona a few days ago. ( think it was visit number nine.)
I have no idea what mrt is talking about.

Cities have the ability to sprinkle magic dust on tourists to help them fall in love with the place their visiting.

Barcelona's fairy duster has missed me three out of four times.

We've been going to Barcelona since soon after the Olympics, until our last trip a couple of years ago. For and immediately after the Olympics the city authorities seemed to be making a real effort to make the place safer and more welcoming.

However, I have to say that as time has gone by the feeling of being in the city has not improved, but has certainly deteriorated . We made the mistake of staying in Raval last time, it's threatening and unsafe. The Police seem to have little interest in street policing.

It might be the influx of eastern Europeans, it might not, but although I do like the place, it might have run its course in my own travel plans.