Help...Ireland or Spain???
 

Have been to 21 countries in Western and Eastern Europe but never to either of these two. Wife wants Spain, but after reading posts here regarding pickpockets and muggers we have some doubts. Also, Spain has a very large Muslim population, particularly in Andalusia. Given the curent evenets and the crime problem is Spain ....Madrid and Andalusia really a good place to visit this Spring?

Hello Tom,<BR>The world is full of problem areas. There are pickpockets and muggers everywhere in the world. Just be aware.<BR>Do not let September 11 deter you from travelling and most of all enjoy your travels.<BR>My choice would be Spain.

They are two such different places - it is sort of like asking California or New England? <BR><BR>It entirely depends on what you are looking for. No "right" answer. Both have hundreds of things of interest. We'd need a lot more info to be able to give you any kind of usable advice.

I live in Sevilla and I do not think 11st September events have changed everyday life here at all. It is something that will change habits around the world, but not as far as a trip is concerned. Muslim population is Spain is not high at all, just in Madrid, Barcelona and Almeria there are some people who have recently come there to work but not a traditional and stable muslim population. For example, old mosques in Andalusia, like the one in Cordoba, date from X century and do not give nowadays religious services to muslims. Ireland must be beautiful but maybe in Spring Andalusia is at its best with early summer weather and bright days, orange trees blossom and many cultural events. If you visit Sevilla, Ronda, Salamanca, Santiago, Cuenca, Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba, Cadiz, Jerez, Granada or any other small-medium sized city I am always certain you will rarely be pickpocketed or mugged. I am certain that getting to small beautiful towns as Santillana, Morella, Albarracin, Pedraza, Siguenza, Trujillo, Baeza, Grazalema or Natural/National Parks you might spend an enjoyable trip without thinking about your valuables.

Your wife and you will enjoy your lovemaking more in Spain than in Ireland this Spring. Visit Madrid and the northwest coast, but not Sevilla. It's Spain's tourist trap.

WOW! you learn something new every day. A large Muslim population in Spain. Silly me, I thought that most the Arabs had been expelled by 1492. <BR><BR>Tom, the Sephardic Jews population far exceeds the Muslim population in Spain.

Oh my God, V, what are you saying ?<BR><BR>'I thought that most the Arabs had been expelled by 1492. ' The expelled people where the Muslim population, those who were not converted to cristianism. You cannot say that all the muslims are Arabs, and at this moment, the Arabs in Spain are few, the great part of the Muslims came from Morocco in the last years. <BR><BR>In fact, that year they weren't expelled, just Granada was conquered by Isabel de Castilla.<BR><BR>And the same year, the jews were also throwned away from Spain by Catholic Kings (Isabel and Fernando).<BR><BR>And of course it is not true that 'the Sephardic Jews population far exceeds the Muslim population in Spain'. But as Pedro said above, Muslims in Spain are not a problem nowadays.<BR><BR>

Tom, What a coincidence. I was also considering Spain for this spring, but am now considering Ireland instead. However, it really doesn't have to do with safety. It's just that I probably won't be able to take a trip until May, and I thought I would put Andalusia off for a cooler month. I looked up the temps for Ireland and it looks like the highs are in the upper 50s for May, which is doable for me.

Vita-<BR>Can you give me a web site to look up temps for any country at any time of the year? Thanks!

Tom -- We honeymooned in Andalusia in fall 2000. We had also read reports of pickpockets, muggers and gypsies and had some concern. However, we had absolutely no trouble whatsoever. You are well traveled, so I would recommend that you use common sense -- keep your wallet close, tell your wife not to carry a large purse, do not flash rolls of bills or fancy jewelry (I left my engagement ring at home, for example), do not take the rosemary "offered" to you by gypsies outside of tourist sites. As NY'ers, we know that the only time to be concerned is when the streets are deserted -- stay to the tourist sites and places where there are other people and you'll be fine.<BR><BR>As for the Muslim population, I can't really comment on that, but given that Spain hasn't seen a lot of protesting since the war on Afghanistan started, I wouldn't be terribly concerned about that, either.

Spain did round up a group of Muslim terrorists a couple weeks ago. They're holding them until the U.S. promises to give them a fair trial.

Dottie, I use www.worldclimate.com and www.weather.com mostly. There's also a thread on this forum called, 'Best Web Site for European Weather' which lists a bunch more.

Thanks Vita!!

The Irish are more fun than the Spanish, anyway.