[Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Phillip King
pandjking at sbcglobal.net
Thu Jul 30 14:32:11 EDT 2009
Roberta,
We have roamed the sights and streets of Barcelona 3 times -- stayed in Port Vell for a week with friends on their sailboat a couple of year ago -- and have never had a problem.
I'm certainly not an imposing guy. I'm 5'11", 69 yrs. old, with gray hair and a gray beard, and I look and act like an American. We've seen and have been approached by pickpockets in Europe. I'm thinking the thieves in the US are far more dangerous than those in Europe because they are probably hopped up on drugs, while the ones in Europe just want your money.
Just be aware of your surroundings, don't go walking down streets in Europe that look like you wouldn't walk in the US, and accept the fact that you are probably far safer walking around in Europe than you would be driving in America.
Relax and enjoy your trip.
Phil King
----- Original Message -----
From: Roberta Churchill
To: Phillip King
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 1:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Thanks, Phil. I do hope you are right.Roberta
----- Original Message -----
From: Phillip King
To: Roberta Churchill ; Susan Lacy
Cc: Idyllchat
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:29 AM
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Roberta,
I believe most of the crime in Barcelona, and big cities throughout Europe, for that matter, involves pickpockets. Violent crime and muggings are very rare.
Wear your valuables -- cash, passports, credit cards, etc. -- in pouches under your clothing. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and wear only costume jewelry. Do this and I think you'll be fine.
Phil King
Spring Lake, MI
----- Original Message -----
From: Roberta Churchill
To: Phillip King ; Susan Lacy
Cc: Idyllchat
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Dear Philip,
You and your wife have been most generous with information about Barcelona.
I now find myself fearful about muggings, etc. in Barcelona. I have just received Frommer's "Barcelona" and learned from other sources that crime has become much worse in B. and, they say all over Europe. But some hospitalizations, they say, have been necessary in B., older people (I am 75) and others have been hurt on La Rambla and Barri Gotic. We will be staying at Harbour Palace II, Port Vell and Barri Gottic in October.
I hate being afraid and have never felt this way before even when growing up in New York City.
What do you know about this situation? Or what does anyone receiving this know?
Thanks. Roberta
----- Original Message -----
From: Phillip King
To: Susan Lacy
Cc: Idyllchat
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Dear Susan,
Jane and I have done probably 12 apartments with Untours and have always been very pleased. We have also recommended them to a number of friends and have always gotten positive feedback.
We did an Untour in Spain in 2006. Stayed in a lovely, large apartment in Priego de Cordoba owned by Juan _____(I forget his last name, but the apartment was "La Posada Real" on the third floor of Juan's building).
The town was small and easy to walk, with any number of good restaurants. Maria, the Untours on-site representative, was excellent. The location of the town made for easy driving to Granada and Cordoba for major sightseeing. We were delighted we made Priego de Cordoba our home base in Spain.
I'm not keen on driving in foreign countries, but I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent, modern roads in Spain and how easy they were to drive. We had no trouble whatsoever going where we wanted to go and getting back.
If you are considering Spain, Priego de Cordoba would be an excellent choice.
We have also been to Barcelona a couple of times. One of Jane's bridesmaids married a man from Barcelona and has lived there ever since graduating from college. I believe Untours now has apartments available in Barcelona. If you would prefer a big city to a small town, Barcelona has a great many things to offer in the way of sights to see and places to go. We love Barcelona. However, it is very touristy and much more expensive than being in a small town, but a great place to spend a week or two.
Hope this information is helpful.
Phil King,
Spring Lake, MI
----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Lacy
To: Phillip King
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Hi Phil,
I have rented an apartment on Ile St. Louis. I did not make arrangements through Untours as I had very specific ideas as to where I wanted to be situated. Next time, maybe I'll check out the Untours apartments.
How many times have you stayed in Untours apartments? I'm thinking of Spain for next year . . .
Susan
On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 7:13 PM, Phillip King <pandjking at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Susan,
Have you selected an Untours apartment yet, or aren't you doing your accommodations with Untours?
Jane and I have had great luck with apartments in Paris through Untours. We loved the one on Rue des Martyrs. The wooden floors squeeked like crazy, but it was a large apt. and there were all kinds of food shops and stalls in the neighborhood, and a couple of nice food markets and wine shops.
It wasn't a fancy neighborhood, but it suited us just fine, and it was only a two block walk to the Metro.
I am curious, is all. Wherever you stay in Paris will be just fine. It beats anything I can think of in the US.
Enjoy!
Phil King.
----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Lacy
To: IdyllChat at lists.untours.com
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 7:04 PM
Subject: [Bulk] [Idyllchat] Paris and Money
Does anyone have advice as to how best to pay expenses while traveling in Europe this fall? Previously I've always just used a credit card, but I understand now the US banks are adding an additional hefty surcharge for foreign transactions. Is it wiser to use cash these days? We are going to Paris the end of September for 10 days.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Susan
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