We were subjected to an attempted mugging within 5 minutes of leaving our hotel in Barcelona. We just walked into the Placa Cataluyna about 2pm on a Saturday when we were surrounded by gypsy- type people who appeared to be begging. Whilst the woman carrying the baby was trying to touch us and blow kisses, a small child all but lifted the wallet from my husbands back pocket (silly place to have it I know) he felt it go and turned round and was able to retrieve it from the floor. We were lucky!! But we were also much more alert after that. After a couple of hours I unwound and began to enjoy my visit to this fantastic city.BE WARNED! BE CAREFUL!