Topic Wiki

Barcelona
Links to Trip Reports: @Yehuda, Yehoshua, CGR
Kosher Restaurants: http://www.restaurantmaccabi.com/en/
Activities: Jewish Tours in Barcelona, http://www.urbancultours.com
http://www.barcelonadreaming.com/package/barcelona-jewish-tour/
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips: Stay at Hotel Condado it is about a 3 minute walk from the shul (local community), bear in mind there is no eruv, so you will need to either leave the room open or make some arrangement with the hotel, they do not offer keys (or have that option at all)
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Jewish Community of Barcelona (Orthodox): http://www.cibonline.org; Go to the local shul and meet Rabbi Daniel Ashkenazi he is wonderful and quite helpful.

Madrid
Links to Trip Reports: @Yehuda, @Yehuda pics, Yehoshua, @zalc (Mini)., CGR
Kosher Restaurants: http://www.restaurantelaescudilla.com  https://www.pinatimadrid.com/  https://www.pizzeriarimmon.com/(teuda)
Activities: Toledo - a day trip from Madrid to see 2 old Shuls. Can hire a tour guide, Rabbi Hanoka (info@jewishtoledotour.com), which is not cheap, or can take a train on your own. 1 of the Shuls (El Transito) is closed on Mondays. @Yehuda went on a day when that Shul was closed, and the other Shul was really just an empty room and seemed like a Christian organization now runs the center. Without a tour guide, it was hard to get anything Jewish out of our trip (other than an antique store that had some Judaica). But, people who have taken the tour (discussed in the thread) have said it was great! Recommended to go with a tour or not go at all (and ensure to go on a day when both are open!). Report in the thread that the sometimes-closed Shul has audio headsets for use, so that would help. If going alone, you can research the Jewish places at the link HERE
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips: Chabad Site
Public Transport options: Uber works well, as does the subway if you speak Spanish.
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Jewish Community of Madrid (Orthodox), http://www.cjmadrid.org

Malaga
Links to Trip Reports:
CGR
Kosher Restaurants:
Activities:
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips:
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Comunidad Israelita de Malaga (Orthodox), http://www.cimalaga.es

Seville
Links to Trip Reports: @Yehuda, Yehoshua, CGR
Kosher Restaurants:
Activities: Jewish Tours in Sevilla/Cordoba, http://www.jewishsevilla.com
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips:
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Comunidad Judia de Sevilla, synagoguesevilla@gmail.com

Gibraltar
Links to Trip Reports: Yehoshua
Kosher Restaurants: Amar's Bakery and Coffee shop, http://www.amarsbakery.com/
Activities:
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips:
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips: Jewish Community of Gibraltar, http://www.jewishgibraltar.com

Mallorca
Links to Trip Reports:
CGR
Kosher Restaurants: Their is not - one restaurant serve felafel it's own by an israeli but no hechsher
Activities:
Hotels:
Shabbos Tips: The Shul its open on Friday night
Public Transport options:
Guidebooks:
Other Tips:
 
4500 IB Avios from anywhere to anywhere in the country
Best way to get around anywhere in this country is by scooter. It is safer driving them there since they outnumber cars by great proportions.
« Last edited by cgr on September 04, 2023, 09:01:01 PM »

Author Topic: Spain Master Thread  (Read 272142 times)

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #440 on: January 19, 2015, 06:11:19 PM »
Did GIB today and arcos de la frontera( a white hill town) today. Both were great

Offline sruly101

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #441 on: January 19, 2015, 06:38:46 PM »
Did GIB today and arcos de la frontera( a white hill town) today. Both were great
You did GIB in one day?

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #442 on: January 19, 2015, 06:45:02 PM »
You did GIB in one day?
Nothing to do there more than a day

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #443 on: January 19, 2015, 07:02:34 PM »
Went to the top of the rock. Would've liked to see the Gibraltar museum but didn't get a chance. We were only there for half a day.

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #444 on: January 21, 2015, 07:37:27 AM »
Just took an amazing tour of Seville with Moises Hasson. Definitely recommend to really to get a good perspective on Jewish life in the city.

Offline Moishele

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #445 on: January 21, 2015, 11:44:26 AM »
So is there a consensus as to the kashrus of the restaurant in Madrid? Is there someone knowledgable who can be asked?

Yes, the restaurant La Escudilla is kosher, under the strict supervision of the Chief Rabbi of Spain (see Teuda attached).  It's more a matter of politics that Chabad Rabbi (Rab Goldstein) does not approve it. He would offer shabat hospitality in his house (upon payment, though)

Offline rediplus

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #446 on: January 21, 2015, 12:23:52 PM »
Just took an amazing tour of Seville with Moises Hasson. Definitely recommend to really to get a good perspective on Jewish life in the city.
he gives a very nice tour. did he take you to the parking garage tomb ?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #447 on: January 21, 2015, 12:25:51 PM »
Yes, the restaurant La Escudilla is kosher, under the strict supervision of the Chief Rabbi of Spain (see Teuda attached).  It's more a matter of politics that Chabad Rabbi (Rab Goldstein) does not approve it. He would offer shabat hospitality in his house (upon payment, though)
The issue is not knowing who the Rabbi is. Without knowing much about him, anyone can just write a paper that says glatt kosher, especially in countries where the government probably doesn't oversee the kashrus industry as intensely as America.

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #448 on: January 21, 2015, 03:57:05 PM »
he gives a very nice tour. did he take you to the parking garage tomb ?
Yep. I even told him about dansdeals when he asked how I got his name

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #449 on: January 21, 2015, 03:58:34 PM »
Yep. I even told him about dansdeals when he asked how I got his name
Which I told him also when I contacted him. He sounded great (and I'm glad you enjoyed) but after paying for tours throughout Europe, I couldn't get myself to fork over another $100pp (something like that) for a tour of a city I never heard of before DDF and the Gibralter-trippers ;)

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #450 on: January 21, 2015, 04:01:54 PM »
I hear that. It was a question but we found it to be well worth it. He said its a 3 hour tour and kept it going for 4.5 hours

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #451 on: January 21, 2015, 06:08:23 PM »
Yes, the restaurant La Escudilla is kosher, under the strict supervision of the Chief Rabbi of Spain (see Teuda attached).  It's more a matter of politics that Chabad Rabbi (Rab Goldstein) does not approve it. He would offer shabat hospitality in his house (upon payment, though)
so there isnt a consensus. chabad holds its not good. in that case im not sure what you added

Offline Moishele

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #452 on: January 22, 2015, 06:41:42 AM »
so there isnt a consensus. chabad holds its not good. in that case im not sure what you added

I don't know why I should trust more the Chabad person in Madrid over the Chief Rabbi of Spain who signs this teuda. The Jewish Federation backs the Chief Rabbi. Perhaps if Chabad has a reason for not accepting the kashrut of the restaurant in Madrid, he should let all of us know why. Otherwise, I think this is Lashon Hara.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #453 on: January 22, 2015, 07:18:16 AM »
I don't know why I should trust more the Chabad person in Madrid over the Chief Rabbi of Spain who signs this teuda. The Jewish Federation backs the Chief Rabbi.
Finally, the first semblance of reliability - a source that Americans are familiar with and can be further researched. Any links here?

Offline Moishele

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #454 on: January 22, 2015, 09:20:05 AM »
Finally, the first semblance of reliability - a source that Americans are familiar with and can be further researched. Any links here?

Yes, you can check the website for the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain (Orthodox): http://www.fcje.org

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #455 on: January 22, 2015, 01:10:55 PM »
I don't know why I should trust more the Chabad person in Madrid over the Chief Rabbi of Spain who signs this teuda. The Jewish Federation backs the Chief Rabbi. Perhaps if Chabad has a reason for not accepting the kashrut of the restaurant in Madrid, he should let all of us know why. Otherwise, I think this is Lashon Hara.
its irrelevant. the question was if there was a consensus. there isnt. end of story


Offline Moishele

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #456 on: January 22, 2015, 03:17:39 PM »
its irrelevant. the question was if there was a consensus. there isnt. end of story
I guess that Chabad should explain why. If not, anyone could place doubts about Kashrut anywhere. For example, I could say that Le Marais or Tavere in New York aren't kosher because the Chieff Rabbi of London says so. Now, there's not consensus about kashrut in Le Marais and Tavere. Right?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #457 on: January 22, 2015, 04:35:51 PM »
I spoke to numerous people in the region who compared it to a rabbanut level restaurant

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #458 on: January 22, 2015, 04:44:23 PM »
I guess that Chabad should explain why. If not, anyone could place doubts about Kashrut anywhere. For example, I could say that Le Marais or Tavere in New York aren't kosher because the Chieff Rabbi of London says so. Now, there's not consensus about kashrut in Le Marais and Tavere. Right?
nu, zug alein the chiluk...

either way, maybe they would explain if someone were to ask them

and there you have it
I spoke to numerous people in the region who compared it to a rabbanut level restaurant

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #459 on: February 15, 2015, 02:51:28 PM »
What do people think about using Priceline for a 4* hotel in Barcelona? I can get one with name your own price for $70/night in the Ramblas area.

The reason I'm thinking about this is because now I'm booked at the 4points for 7k SPG/night, but the hotel only goes for €80/night and it's a bit out of the way. One the one hand I'd love to not spend cash out of pocket, but on the other hand I don't want to waste my SPG points on a room that's only €80.

The best SPG value for SPG points is the Le Meridien for 16k SPG/night (the room goes for €306/night). Is it worth it to use 32k for 2 nights there, 14k at the 4 points or NYOP with Priceline?