crckwc1

DH and I are planning a month vacation (independent travel via car) through Spain and Portugal. We are beginning to have second thoughts because of the failing economy there and the possibility of riots, etc. due to the high unemployment rate. (Think Greece) We are experienced independent travelers but because we're not young we wonder if we might become targets for -- whatever -- anything from pickpocketing (nothing new) to just being vunerable in an unstable environment. Are we being too concerned? Would like to hear from residents of Spain and/or Portugal as well as folks who have traveled there recently. Thanks for your input.

rfbk50

Yes you are worrying to much. Go and stop watching CNN.

crckwc1

Thanks for the go-ahead. I guess I'm just a worry-wart. CNN is definitely off my list.

thursdaysd

Instead of CNN read the UK government's travel advice (always less alarmist than tha US).

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ntry/#P_anchor

adrienne

After reading about traveling to the US, the rest of the world looks much safer!

Cehegin

I have lived in Spain for 20 years and have never felt any less safe than for example in the UK. Spain and Portugal are safe for travel.Just take the normal precautions you would take travelling to say the UK.
http://theartichokeadventures.blogspot.com.es/

ribeirasacra

Lets put the recent events into prospective.
The recent strike in Spain was for just one day. It was a general strike called by the unions.
Portugal has seen a few days of general strikes recently. I do not recall seeing any violence associated with those.
There are no present plans to call a general strike in Spain.
Whilst a lot of locations did see marches in support for the strike the vast majority was peaceful.
The only way it affected the vacationer would be public transportation would had services reduced. However the law in Spain means that a minimum service has to be provided so not as if everything stops working. In museums you may have found some closed. Whilst banks and post offices may have closed for one day this would not affect you.
The trouble you did see was in one of two cities in Spain. However having a car I think would mean that most of your time would be spent outside of the cities in both counties. So in fact there is little chance of being affected by any violence; if there is a strike.
All news carried something about the violence as bad news makes for good news, if you see what I mean.
If you are driving to Portugal you should read up on the internet about the electronic toll roads in Portugal (SCUT).

kimhe

Just home from a week in the South of Spain where "la crisis" has hit hardest and unemployment is highest in the country (now over 30 %), 40 % of those now without any state benefits. The situation is of course very tough for great many people/families, but what strikes you is how normal things seem to be, at least on the surface. I've visited this area frequently for the past ten years, and the Andalusians go by and large on in their usual way. Without romanticizing people having a hard time, both many Spanish - first and foremost in the South and West - and many Portuguese are well known with grave poverty not far back in time, and families and communities help eachother out in the most imaginative ways.

There are occational demonstrations which are 99% peaceful and friendly, often with music, drinks, food etc. Tourists would be the last target for any agression related to the public resentment over government cuts, labour reforms and the economical situation in general. There could be some transportation strikes, but these are normally announced well in advance, and you should of course take the normal precautions regarding pick-pockets etc. Besides this, very friendly and welcoming environment in general.

lincasanova

I also live here and could only suggest in the CASE there were a protest march in a central plaza.. just avoid it, like non-participating locals would do. The only ones getting bashed by the police are the protesters.

Otherwise I doubt you will even notice any difference from other years, except the restaurants/hotels are not as full, making it much easier for you to secure reservations.

cova

I think that Ribeira is mentioning the thing you should really be worrying, the electronic toll roads ... Every time I read about it, I get more confused ...

Bye, Cova

bilboburgler

The Greeks have learnt that making a fuss gets them things. The people of Iberia just get on with it. There might be a bit more begging.

crckwc1

Thanks to each of you. I'm encouraged and will proceed with our plans. The media can make things seem worse than they are. About the Portugal toll roads, I've read, researched and am still confused. Seems like most everyone else is equally confused, so we'll be in good company. LOL

Jeff801

We just returned from a week in Portugal. The saddest effect from the economic situation we saw was the nearly empty restaurants. We did rent a toll tag from Avis, for the convenience of using the electronic toll roads, and were startled at the very high total we ran up in a week of driving. It came to over $85 US, including a round trip between Lisbon and Faro.

zeppole

Do you follow a country's news before and when you travel? I always do. It's not hard to do, especially if you go to the website of the BBC, which rarely sensationalizes a situation It's actually very interesting to follow the news before you go to another country. And sometimes you learn important local news -- like a flood near some area where you are planning to go, or when big demonstrations are planned in the capital.

About a year ago, I had a reason to be in Greece, and I was reading up on Greek news before I left, and there was a story about an encampment of protesters, very much like Occupy Wall Street. When I was in Greece, I ran across this encampment, and remembered the story, so I talked to the campers. It was quite interesting, to say the least.

So I recommend reading the daily news on the BBC for Spain and Portugal so you can converse with people who'd be interested to talk about it.

crckwc1

zeppole, this sounds like a very good idea. Thanks.

chapla

I was in Lisbon and the teachers were protesting-very big turnout but organised.The only inconvenience was the disruption in bus service so we just walked back to our hotel.
In Madrid protests are very frequent.I believe it has to do with the fact that for so many years the Spanish were so opressed under Franco!They really do enjoy this right to protest and organise very well.Last fall the sanitation workers were on strike in front ofthe Prado.Then the Puerta del Sol was turned into a campsite. Another weekend teachers with their families rallied and then they all went out to eat-quite festive!Outside the Plaza Mayor a group of people had set up house with matresses and stoves and even had laundry hanging on a line!
Nowadays I just read a couple of signs and then move on.I n feel afraid and actually appreciate that they have the freedom to protest.

Cowboy1968

In most European countries it is nothing out of the norm that strikes happen. It's not seen as a sign of anarchy but a regulated means when regular negotiations for wages or working conditions fail.
In 2011, I happened to be in Barcelona or Madrid several times when there were (minor) strikes or demonstrations, and it was nothing more violent than those we have in Germany.

A general strike will obviously cause some disruptions, but it's usually a one day event with people like you and me demanding better conditions of living and a perspective for jobs in the future.
The key issue is not asking for a few more euros or being in denial of cost-cutting measures, but the doubt that simply applying broad cost-cutting measures is no strategy to improve or boost the economic situation.
When you talked with the younger folks camping in the central squares, it was not the "hippie" college students looking for an easy life with lots of money for little work but highly educated and motivated younger folks who could be engineers or scientists but fear that the lack of a thorough recovery plan drives them (even more) into low-end work like driving taxis or busing tables in cafes, or into emigration.
Which is a very valid point IMO.

You should also keep in mind that many regions rely heavily on tourism as a very important industry and source of income so staying away because of a non-existant danger would do a lot of harm.

ribeirasacra

chapla wrote <i>"In Madrid protests are very frequent.I believe it has to do with the fact that for so many years the Spanish were so opressed under Franco!"</i>
Where did you get that idea from? Did you realise that Portugal was also ruled under a Regime too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estado_...ugal%29#Regime
The last general strike in Portugal was on March 22 2012 the one before that was on Nov.24 2011
In Spain it was on March 29 2012

bilboburgler

Last year I was in Portugal and the national strike was called for one day in the 2 weeks we were there. Trouble is no one could decide which was the day. Lots of different dates were put in the paper and on TV and finally nothing happened. So don't be surprised if it sneaks up on you.

clausar

<< The Greeks have learnt that making a fuss gets them things. The people of Iberia just get on with it. There might be a bit more begging.>>

That's a weird point of view... never heard it before..
you are actually calling all these suffering people beggars?
Shame on you !!!!!