Eta seem to be active again

[madamtrashheap]

Another bomb has exploded in northern Spain
www.france24.com/en/20080519-eta-bomb-strikes-spains-northern-basque-region-radio-0 and www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/
Seems like Eta might be on the move again after last week's bomb, and the blast in Bilbao last month. Sadly, Getxo also witnessed an explosion in 2005.

I hope no GFE Members were hurt and that some decent progress can be made between Eta and the Spanish Government in halting these attacks and coming to an agreement on territory and self-government.

[madamtrashheap]

UPDATE: Apparently the Eta leader has been arrested news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7411832.stm

[Eagle]

MTH, this is certainly not good news! Spain and Portugal are still on my list of places to visit, so I had hoped this situation was somewhat stable now. It's not very reassuring to hear that the ceasefire has ended.

[herrbert]

The ceasefire ended with the bombing at the airport in Madrid, almost one and a half year ago.

I don't think that a lot will happen in the coming months or even years as ETA has ruined their chances with the Spanish government, and never had any credit with the conservative opposition.

Usually attacks by ETA are announced, and in general not aimed at tourist sights. I can understand your worries, but I would not base my decision in going or not going to Spain on whether ETA is active or not.

[Eagle]

herrbert, thanks for the info - that's reassuring! I probably still would gone to Spain, but would have been a bit nervous about it. My favourite tour company has just announced two new tours in Spain for 2008 - Best of Barcelona & Madrid and Best of San Sebastian & Basque Countryside. Along with their flagship Spain & Portugal tour, that gives me lots of choices.

I know that Spain is one of your favourites, and I'm looking forward to visiting that area.

Cheers!

[madamtrashheap]

I agree, never let this sort of thing make you a nervous traveller.

On a different note, herrbert, have you moved to Spain yet?

[herrbert]

May 25, 2008 21:11:32 GMT -5 madamtrashheap said:

I agree, never let this sort of thing make you a nervous traveller.

On a different note, herrbert, have you moved to Spain yet?

No not yet, the plans are still in the making, but money is still a bit of an issue. But I am getting closer, and of course I will let you guys & girls know when this will happen.

[herrbert]

May 25, 2008 15:36:04 GMT -5 Eagle said:

herrbert, thanks for the info - that's reassuring! I probably still would gone to Spain, but would have been a bit nervous about it. My favourite tour company has just announced two new tours in Spain for 2008 - Best of Barcelona & Madrid and Best of San Sebastian & Basque Countryside. Along with their flagship Spain & Portugal tour, that gives me lots of choices.

I know that Spain is one of your favourites, and I'm looking forward to visiting that area.

Cheers!

For a first tour that might be a good one, but I read that you really liked the South of Italy. This makes me think that you might be more interested in Andalusía (Granada/Sevilla/Arcos/Ronda/ Jerez/Cadiz) and maybe Extremadura (Caceres/Merida/Truijllo). Basque Country is supposed to be beautiful, but I haven't been there yet. (Although my favourite spanish band 'La Buena Vida' is from San Sebastian). It's pretty easy to travel alone in Spain, so I don't think a tour is a must here.

Like I told others a million of times, make sure to visit Toledo and Segovia from Madrid