cjdonohue

Anyone concerned about the European countries (esp Spain/Portugal)- Intend on going on guided tour beginning of September?? one day trip to Morroco?
My husband is very concerned about Spain and Portugal's gov going bankrupt and people stealing and on the verge of rioting due to the economy. I only have $200 down til balance pymt mid July.
Any comments.......

thanks in advance

Cowboy1968

No.
I'll be in Portugal in September, too.
And also in Spain before that.
People still go to Greece, by the way.

jamikins

Going sailing in Greece in August. Not concerned about riots in the least, or stealing. Thinking about more ££ just in case they leave the euro during the two weeks we are there but havent given it another thought. They need all the tourist dollars they can get. Would your hubby feel the same about ireland?

Check your country's travel advisories if you are concerned, but I wouldn't let the situation bother you if that is where you want to go. I also have friends going to Greece this weekend...

ribeirasacra

"Any comments......."

. If you are that afraid please stay at home everything will be safe there.

nytraveler

I'm afraid you have Spain and Portugal confused with a war zone. Why would the locals riot if the currency goes belly up (even assuming it does)? What would that accomplish? are you afraid they will stop all Americans and steal $?? (Euros are still worth a lot more.)

There are places I wouldn't go - like parts of the middle east - for safety reasons - and others I didn't go to for political reasons (A Africa under apartheid).

But what you're talking about is the equivalent of saying not to come to the US because of the Wall St protesters.

StCirq

<<people stealing and on the verge of rioting due to the economy>>

Is your husband an imbecile? Get a grip.

Aduchamp1

Maybe there is a special austerity tour they you can go on..

Cehegin

If you look at violent crime statistics worldwide Spain is way way below the USA on all counts! You can have you pockets picked in any country in the world but to be exposed to violence the figures indicate that you're more likely to be a victim of violent crime in the USA. There are problems in Spain but not the "rioting to attack visiting tourists" type.

kimhe

Going to Spain myself in September as I've done at least once a year for the past 25 years, and I've absolutely no second thoughts.

One year anniversary of the 15M protest movement in Spain today, the predecessor of Occypy Wall Street etc. One year of peaceful demonstrations, most of them in a quite festive mood, food drink and singing in the streets. Demonstrations are well announced and at special places at defined hours, and incidents have only occured in special occation frontline clashes between some of the most vigilant protesters and the police.

The heart of Madrid a couple of days ago, at the beginning of the one year "anniversary" of the protests. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JZmYsIqIs0

Fodorite014

You are not the target of people's anger so you don't need to worry about your safety.

If "violent" demonstrations occur, just stay away from that particular area.

twk

Even if you wander into a protest by accident, they aren't exactly burning cities in those countries, or anywhere in Europe. If I were in one of the capitals of the affected countries, I guess that I might try to keep an eye on the news, or even inquire here, as to whether any protests are imminent, but that's about it.

It's more likely that you'll see some interesting things happen to the currency than that you'll encounter any problems with protests.

Sassafrass

I think you should cancel Spain and stick with the US. In particular, the East coast cities starting with my favorite: Baltimore, then Richmond or Philly, then DC or NYC.

OK, before anyone takes me seriously, just kidding and I live in Baltimore.