Thanks to Leslie, Maribel and Ellen about the train fares. I have now made up the plan as following: 3 nights in Madrid, an over night train to Barcelona and another 2 nights there. According to Ellen, it seems very dangerous to travel alone in Spain. Please give me a hand with any security tips. Besides, my budget is low and I intended to live in a hostel. Is the hostel also a dangerous place? Any recommendation for a nice and safe hostel? Will I be lucky enough to find any international student like me there to travel together?

Cindy, I will be in Spain in March for 16 days. Don't know when your trip is, but you're more than welcome to join me for a couple of days, as I will be traveling alone, but meeting up with some friends in Barcelona. I'll be in Madrid at the beginning of my trip, and Barcelona at the end of the trip.<BR><BR>I don't know what your budget is for hostales (that is the correct spelling), but I'm booked into the Hostal Adriano in Madrid, and the cost is $50 per night. The website is www.hostaladriano.com, and it is 1/2 way between the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. You can read further reviews about the hostale on www.madridman.com. You can also find other reviews of hostales in Madrid and Barcelona there. You might also be able to meet some participants on the Madridman board in Spain. <BR><BR>In Barcelona, based on Maribel's recommendation, I will be staying at the Hotel Banys Orientals. I was able to get a rate of 70 Euro per night, plus the 7% IVA.<BR><BR>Security tips -- don't wear jewelry. Wear a money belt either around your waist under your clothes, or one that you can wear around your neck under your clothes. Don't carry a backpack if you can help it. Do not let anyone hand you a flower or something similar, or a child to hold. Wear your purse across your body. Don't bring an expensive camera with you. Don't look like you are lost. Don't walk down dark, poorly lit, or unlit streets by yourself. Always be aware of your surroundings, but most of all, have fun.<BR><BR>By the way, CrazyMina is going to be in Spain in March before I will be, so if your trip coincides with hers, I'm sure that she would enjoy meeting up with another traveler.

Continuing on the above re: safety<BR>(and assuming you are American)<BR><BR>Safety most times is using common sense, as noted by above post. But cultural differences do play into it. An American, no matter how s/he tries, sticks out like a sore thumb usually.But you can make it more/less obvious by mannerisms.<BR><BR>Americans look directly at strangers and will even innocently smile back at a smiling person...NOT! If you adopt an indifferent/disinterested air (stare out the window of metro, while really watching the reflection in the window)more like the locals you have better luck.<BR><BR>Hate to say it, but if you're a lone female you will be far safer if you don't go out at night. Eat your main meal at noon and picnic on local deli specialties in your room at night (your waistline and digestion does better too) <BR><BR>Buy a local daily newspaper (They don't know whether you can read it or not)<BR>and carry it with you. It helps in restaurants/metros etc. to build that barrier and give you something to hide behind/look at.<BR><BR>Americans are very loud and animated...be unobtrusive. <BR><BR>While you can't change your whole wardrobe, look at the local women. Often times just investing in a sweater, hat, sandals or other small item can make a big difference.<BR><BR>Sorry--Definitely not crazy about the overnight train idea if you are traveling alone. Only 2 problems I ever had in 3 years of traveling: First was on a night train from Zurich to Paris. Two drunks against one 110 pounder...I paid dearly. Don't count on strangers to bail you out either ...later discovered there were six men in the next compartment who chose not to get involved! Just isn't worth it IMHO.<BR><BR>Second I was hitchhiking (not to be recommended either)when the driver became frisky AND wouldn't pull over. Tip: Men do not like their cars messed up. Acted like I was going to vomit all over...luckily the guy couldn't pull over fast enough. <BR><BR>If you stay in youth hostels, you will meet lots of youths from many countries. When you're on the basement budget, it's great. Talk to the other girls each night...they have a wealth of info.But don't put your valuables in the bottom of your sleeping bag or pillowcase because one slit w/a knife and your purse/money etc. is gone and you never felt anything.<BR><BR>Use your head and you'll have a WONDERFUL time!

<BR>Re Is Spain dangerous: Fodors<BR>Cindy &lt;[email protected]&gt;<BR>Cc Carol &lt;[email protected]&gt;<BR>Dear Ms Wang,<BR><BR>Spain is not especially dangerous. If people have trouble they tell the consul, so consuls give good advice. You can read it <BR>from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice<BR>from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel and on http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp<BR>from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under &quot;Research your trip&quot;<BR>from France on http://www.dfae.diplomatie.fr/voyageurs/etrangers/avis/conseils/alphabet.asp<BR>from the USA on http://travel.state.gov, under &quot;travel warnings&quot;<BR>Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check all five sites. I have not checked, but if the consuls say a woman can walk alone at night then that is true. I do like Carol?s advice to dress in line with Spanish habit, and carry a Spanish newspaper.<BR><BR>The overnight trains from Madrid to Barcelona have sleepers for 1, 2 or 4 women, with no men, and couchettes for six people, of mixed sexes. Sometimes, if you ask him or her when you board, a couchette car conductor can re-arrange people to give a women-only compartment. In sleepers and couchettes there is a conductor on duty, and the compartment door has both lock and chain fitted at the door. I agree that a night in a seats compartment may well be both uncomfortable and unsafe, as Carol found. There are notes on getting the best from sleepers and couchettes at http://www.twenj.com/tipsnighttrains.htm<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR><BR>

I think it would be very sad if you did not venture out at night Cindy. The nightlife and bar scene in Spain is excellent, the Spanish do most of their socialising, especially in the summer, in the evening and at night. That said, stick to the main areas of an evening and hop in a taxi to get back to your hotel. In Madrid and Barcelona, the Metro is usually busy late in the evening.

Hi, Cindy. <BR>I am Spanish. I live in Spain, and think that consular sites, especially the American ones, are far too cautious. No problem being on your own, as long as you don't stick out as the typical American. I live alone, and go out on my own in the evening, and have never had a problem. In big towns, you can use the metro as long as it is open; it is safe. If there are no metro or buses, you should hire a taxi.<BR>Regarding clothes, please keep in mind that Spanish women very rarely wear hats; only when it is very, very cold, or if they are kind of fashion-victims. Invest your money in somewhere else. <BR>As for the budget, you can use &quot;bancotel&quot; checks. (www.bancotel.com) Each one costs 49.95?, (plus taxes, around 3?) and can be used in hotels all around Sapin. Only, you have to make an early reservation; these hotels (3, 4 stars) are far more confortable and safe than hostels.<BR>I hope you enjoy your travel.

I am very fond of Spanish culture and music, enjoy traveing in Spain very much,and have dealt with several Spanish business associates for years,actually just visited northwest Spain two weeks ago.<BR><BR>But, I am afraid it is a sad truth that extra caution is necessary in Madrid and Barcelona. Especially for single woman around/in train stations in the morning or evening. Make sure you have extra copy of documents not in your luggage or money belt,but somewherelse. Atocha station in Madrid is notorious for gangs of three robbbing tourists with violence.I was one of the victims few years ago. It was no fun to try to replace passport, tickets,everything without a copy,and staying in emergency shalln't be part of travel either.

Cindy, enjoy your trip to Spain. It is a wonderful country. As for hostels, there is often some confusion about this when dealing with Spain. Youth hostels do exist (called &quot;albergues juveniles&quot but are few and far between and incovenient. Spanish &quot;hostales&quot; (singular, &quot;hostal&quot, on the other hand, are small, family-run lodging establishments that can be very bit as safe and pleasant as hotels, but are much cheaper. The primary difference between an hostal and hotel in Spain is that a hostel will not have the facilities (dining, etc) that a hotel will, may not have a 24 hour desk, and may share a bulding with apartments, offices or other hostales, rhater than have its own building. Go the www.madridman.com for a list of trusted and safe, friendly hostales, especially in Madrd, but also throughout Spain. They are excellent values and the ones recommeded on madridman tend to be very nice and very safe. <BR><BR>My girlfriend is Spanish now living in the US and she feels that Madrid is no more dangerous than, say, Boston, where we live.

Spain is a very dangerous place. Watch out for the Basque separtists who frequently kidnap and torture American citizens and only free them upon receipt of large ransoms.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Cindy:<BR>I just returned from a 2 week trip to Northern Spain, including Barcelona.<BR><BR>I felt totally safe during my entire trip and 1) went out at night and 2) took a night train.<BR><BR>I didn't go at length to &quot;disguise&quot; myself as not being american, however I exercised my common sense when I went out at night by sticking with main streets that were crowded with people. I stayed out until about midnight and that was late enough for me. I carry a daypack AND an expensive camera except for when I visited Barcelona and Madrid - I just didn't feel comfortable with those items there and didn't want to be paranoid carrying them.<BR><BR>As for the night train, the compartment was all women and there was an attendent in our coach who ensured everyone was where they should be.<BR><BR>Good luck and don't overly worry about safety - be cautious but not paranoid.

It is all relative. If you live in Detroit ,Chicago,Miami,New Orleans,Philly,Hamburg,Marseilles, etc I think that all Spain is not dangerous at all!

I have never travelled alone in Spain, have only one suggestion -- why take a night train when for about $20 more you can fly between Madrid and Barcelona -- quicker, safer, etc. It is really easy to use public transport to/from both of these airports --- if you are nervous about the night train, and people seem to have had varied experiences, why put yourself through it? Your vacation should be fun.

Nobody who has written in this correspondence had trouble when they took a sleeper in a night train.<BR><BR>In a sleeper you take no daytime hours travelling: you board in city centre in the evening and leave the train in the city centre in the morning. Among your savings are the cost of a hotel night.<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR><BR><BR>

I grew up in inner-city Los Angeles, and I thought most of Spain was a little sketchy when I spent a semester there.<BR> <BR>Three days in Madrid = attempted mugging three times.<BR> <BR>Four days in Barcelona = stopped and searched by police twice. attempting mugging twice.<BR> <BR>Night train Barcelona to Sevilla = police bust in compartment once to demand passport. Drunk man busts in to demand sex (got a kick in the nuts instead). Next scheduled train was derailed by ETA.<BR> <BR>Three months in Sevilla = sorry attempt at a street rape once. Spaniards aren't very big, athletic or muscular. I'm only 5' tall but he was damn sorry he messed with me and my girlfriend. I lost count of the times someone tried to steal my purse. <BR> <BR>Two days in Valencia = Corte Ingles bombed by ETA.<BR> <BR>I am a native Spanish speaker, i think that helped my situation. People definitely tried to take advantage of me because I was a petite blonde woman travelling alone. if you're at all nervous, stay in a youth hostel and go sightseeing and partying with the folks you meet there. <BR> <BR>

Angelino. Yes indeed. On the night train were not in a sleeper. I do agree that people should take sleepers on night trains.<BR><BR>As for the rest, I am sorry. If your experience is typical you will find the consuls cover it in their advice. I do not think they agree with you, though I have not checked recently. <BR>from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice<BR>from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel and on http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp<BR>from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under &quot;Research your trip&quot;<BR>from France on http://www.dfae.diplomatie.fr/voyageurs/etrangers/avis/conseils/alphabet.asp<BR>from the USA on http://travel.state.gov, under &quot;travel warnings&quot;<BR>Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check all five sites.<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR>

<BR>Maybe I'm losing my mind, but I don't remember ever hearing about a train derailed by ETA or a Corte Ingles bombed by ETA. Perhaps they were just bombthreats?

Hi Olga,<BR>I think that a few years ago an ETA commando was discovered when they were planning to set up a bomb in the AVE line. There was an ETA bomb at the Corte Ingl&eacute;s in Valencia, in December 1995 (a woman was dead and 8 people were wounded), and the authors are already in prison.<BR><BR>Last weekend a policeman died while defending a woman who was being attacked by a thief. In other threads I have seen people saying that the spanish police had relationships with the thieves and pickpockets. Maybe you should have to think about that ...<BR><BR>Cindy, have a great time.<BR><BR>Cova<BR>

Hola All!<BR><BR>Unfortunately, I must concur with others who have posted here. Spain has a very bad reputation regarding pickpockets, muggings, theft. It pains me to say this, as I'm a travel agent and Spain is an area that I've taken a course of study and achieved the designation of &quot;Specialist&quot;. But along with France (where I recently had a client mugged on a train), Italy (where I got my video camera stolen out of my backpack while I was wearing it, with my husband walking next to me, in Lake Como, of all places!) Spain has a VERY bad rep for thievery.<BR><BR>Last year we were in Madrid, and my husband was at an ATM...I was across the street checking out the &quot;ham museum&quot; . Shortly thereafter we were purposefully walking up the street (not making eye contact, btw) When a very attractive woman with a UK accent passed my husband on the left, almost into the street, and alerted him to the fact that there were &quot;people following him for his money&quot;. I knew this was a scam immediately and told my husband to check his pockets.<BR><BR>Now, this is where the funny (well, it's funny NOW, it wasn't then)part comes in. My husband ordered these pants from Travelsmith. (they should be paying me for the recommendations I've given) The right hand pocket of the pants have a &quot;security pocket&quot; located inside with a zipper. My husband had put the ATM money inside there, and the only thing they got was a drugstore type cheater reading glasses.<BR><BR>Nevertheless, when I realized what had happened I caught up with Miss UK, who gave an Oscar award winning performance(as I checked her handbag and grocery bag)of how she was just trying to help us! Of course, she'd passed it on to her cohorts. <BR><BR>Re: pants..not only did they save us ATM money, but the darned things are amazing - they don't wrinkle and you can wash them out and they dry very fast as well as packing flat. Again, I don't work for TravelSmith...but my husband now has 3 pair of them!<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified Spain Specialist

It's unfortunate that there are people out there who just want to take advantage of others. With that said, I don't think that Spain is any more dangerous than other places. I was in Spain for a month and nothing terrrible happened to me or my boyfriend. We did see an American man almost get mugged in Puerta del Sol but luckily a Spanish man stopped the thieves. They were Moroccans and the trick was to drop something in front of you and while you picked it up some other guy would get your wallet or belongings. My advice when traveling anywhere is to be alert and to not attract large amounts of attention to yourself. Have fun and don't let all these post scare you from enjoying Spain. It is a beautiful country with equally beautiful people.

<BR>Sorry, Cova !<BR><BR>I wasn't aware of these incidents, as I was living in the U.S. at the time.<BR><BR>Thanks for the information.