Topic Wiki

THIS WIKI IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.
Please feel free to add info.

Jewish And Kosher In Florence

Transportation:


Recommended Hotels:
Great experience:

Good Value:

Shabbos/Yom Tov In Florence:

Recommended Activities:


Trips Reports:
jj1000, Eli, Chapshnell, @Yehuda, @Mootkim
« Last edited by Mootkim on December 10, 2018, 02:57:07 PM »

Author Topic: Florence Italy master thread  (Read 112097 times)

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #40 on: March 25, 2014, 11:08:51 AM »
Any updates on the kosher situation there would be a great help.

Offline bentch

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 358
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: nj
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #41 on: March 26, 2014, 02:56:16 AM »
just ruth's. open 12-2:30 and 7:30-10.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #42 on: March 26, 2014, 10:53:10 AM »
just ruth's. open 12-2:30 and 7:30-10.
I was kind of talking about the hashgacha reliability of Ruth's...

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 13070
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #43 on: March 26, 2014, 10:58:55 AM »
I was kind of talking about the hashgacha reliability of Ruth's...
Not sure what you are looking for. If you are looking for a heter I can direct you to Rabbis who will tell you it's OK. I have heard from reliable sources not to eat there
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #44 on: March 26, 2014, 11:27:02 AM »
Not sure what you are looking for. If you are looking for a heter I can direct you to Rabbis who will tell you it's OK. I have heard from reliable sources not to eat there
No, I'm not looking for a heter. I'm asking my LOR, but I just wanted to know why some people won't eat there. Is it like the KVH of Boston or R' Bukspan of LA that some people won't eat at?

Offline nacho2100

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 68
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Bergenfield, NJ
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #45 on: April 01, 2014, 10:53:16 AM »
Friends took the train from Florence to Sierra and then a cab to get here but supposedly this kosher wine tour was fantastic. Plus they also have kosher accommodations.

www.terradiseta.it/eng/winetours.html

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 188
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #46 on: May 11, 2014, 08:50:27 AM »
Instead of people asking the same questions over and over, wouldn't it be great if the wiki said it all? The hope is that the educated will fill it in and it'll get updated as needed.
I'm going in a few days so I hope to fill it in.
Still plan to fill in that wiki?
btw, the kosher supermarket closed down. was just there last month and all that is left is ruth's. will post TR in near future.
Want to post that TR?

Offline Jb93davis

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 200
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Florida
Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #47 on: May 12, 2014, 12:13:27 PM »
Btw the winery is called Tierra di seta.  Their email is info@terradiseta.it.
I'm gonna be a spokesmen for them because of how nice they were to me in giving me info and helping me plan my trip to Siena. 
Without exaggeration they are extremely nice and helpful. They do tours twice a day. One at 11am and one at 5pm i think. You have to make reservations. It's a 25eu cab ride from Siena and I'll hopefully post how I did it by bus (with a walk on top of that :)) they have beautiful houses on the property that require a weeks reservation. Pricey but looks gorgeous.
The tour is 20eu per person with discounts for groups. It includes a tour of the winery and tastings of their homemade wine, homemade olive oil, artisan crackers, and (maybe homemade) cheese. They told me to plan for a 1.5-2.5 hour total time.
Based on their website and articles about them, their wine is extremely highly rated even in nonjewish competitions and are just starting to import to America. I can't say anything about their kashrus. All I know is they were very nice in explaining that they were closed for Shabbos (I guess they thought I wasn't frum). From what I understand about the family is that they are Italian born frum Jews...
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 12:22:12 PM by Jb93davis »

Offline Jb93davis

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 200
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Florida
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #48 on: May 12, 2014, 12:18:44 PM »
If anyone is curious about Siena, I'll describe it a little.
Siena is a walled city on a hulled overlooking a gorgeous Tuscany. The city is full of authentic Italian and it felt to me that the tourists kind of blend into the shadows so it still feels very authentic.
there is a beautiful shul with lots of history with a caretaker who does tours but make sure to contact him in advance (not sure how but you should be able to find it online).
I hear that the coolest thing is the horse race around the main square in the center of town. It's only twice a year (july 2 and the other day I think is in august).
Don't know that much more about attractions as I only spent like 3 hours there but I think it's a beautiful city to really feel the Italian old world culture.


Offline Jb93davis

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 200
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Florida
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #49 on: May 12, 2014, 12:19:51 PM »
If anyone else has information on the other cities that surround Florence, please write about it as I'm looking for places to visit this summer :)

Offline jj1000

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 13721
  • Total likes: 6265
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 29367
    • View Profile
  • Location: The value of a forum such as this one is not in that one can post a question and receive an answer, but in that the question has most likely been asked before, and the answer is available to him that will but only use the search function.
  • Programs: 1. Search on google. 2. Search in the right board of DDF with a general word or two. 3. Read the wiki. 4. Read the thread. 5. Ask away.
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #50 on: May 12, 2014, 12:27:45 PM »
Not sure what you are looking for. If you are looking for a heter I can direct you to Rabbis who will tell you it's OK. I have heard from reliable sources not to eat there
+1 but they have wine you can drink :)
See my 5 step program to your left <--

(Real signature under my location)

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 188
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #51 on: May 13, 2014, 10:41:35 PM »
Bottom line - bring food from Rome with me here?

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #52 on: May 13, 2014, 10:47:25 PM »
Bottom line - bring food from Rome with me here?
My LOR didn't get back to me yet, but that seems to be the plan. I can post his opinion on Ruth's  when he tells me. He knows a reliable Rav from the area who he's asking for me.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 188
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #53 on: May 13, 2014, 11:02:28 PM »
My LOR didn't get back to me yet, but that seems to be the plan. I can post his opinion on Ruth's  when he tells me. He knows a reliable Rav from the area who he's asking for me.
Yeah, I feel like that's the problem with all these random European cities. My LOR has to know someone there, etc. probably hard to get a good answer. Similar to the Pantheon/Vatican City/Toledo Synagogue questions ppl raised. Unless my LOR is familiar with the goings on of the church, he's going to have to do some digging/calling to find out what the story is. But I guess I might as well ask so the ball starts rolling.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #54 on: May 13, 2014, 11:06:00 PM »
Yeah, I feel like that's the problem with all these random European cities. My LOR has to know someone there, etc. probably hard to get a good answer. Similar to the Pantheon/Vatican City/Toledo Synagogue questions ppl raised. Unless my LOR is familiar with the goings on of the church, he's going to have to do some digging/calling to find out what the story is. But I guess I might as well ask so the ball starts rolling.
Have you heard of kosherquest.org? R Eidlitz is an impartial kashrus person. Maybe he'd know. Maybe your LOR can vouch for him?

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 188
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #55 on: May 13, 2014, 11:09:22 PM »
Have you heard of kosherquest.org? R Eidlitz is an impartial kashrus person. Maybe he'd know. Maybe your LOR can vouch for him?
Never heard of him, but it can't hurt to find out.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 188
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #56 on: May 18, 2014, 04:42:28 PM »
Any thoughts on the Jewish Florence Tour? I'm able to join a mini-group for 50euro pp as a student rate. Normally, it's much more, but depending on how many ppl join the group. I would estimate that it's normally ~100eur pp.
Is that the "city tour" you're referring to Ergel?

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 13070
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #57 on: May 18, 2014, 04:56:16 PM »
Didn't do a Jewish tour. Just a regular city walking tour
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 188
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #58 on: May 18, 2014, 05:37:11 PM »
Didn't do a Jewish tour. Just a regular city walking tour
Ah, any links? Remember who it was with?

Although reviews of the Jewish tour are great for the most part, some made it seem like there's really no Jewish info besides for the Shul, which can be gained just by walking around the Shul and/or getting a Shul tour. If that's the case, then I wouldn't pay 50euro for the Jewish tour.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Florence Italy master thread
« Reply #59 on: May 18, 2014, 07:13:26 PM »
Ah, any links? Remember who it was with?

Although reviews of the Jewish tour are great for the most part, some made it seem like there's really no Jewish info besides for the Shul, which can be gained just by walking around the Shul and/or getting a Shul tour. If that's the case, then I wouldn't pay 50euro for the Jewish tour.
The people I just spoke to over Shabbos said it's not worth it to do the Jewish tour. I saw two free walking tours with Florence Free Tours, but the reviews aren't that great.