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 272067 times)

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #480 on: February 17, 2015, 11:27:11 AM »
Well we wanted to be near chabad for Shabbos. And it was of the cheaper options. All the hotels in that area were pricier. Breakfast was cereal and milk and fruit. Disnt really factor into the decision
Got it. Does that chabad have daily minyanim or just on shabbos? Also it looks like the Maccabi restaurant is in Las Ramblas, not near chabad. Was it far from you?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #481 on: February 17, 2015, 11:37:23 AM »
They have daily minyanim. It was around a 10 min taxi. There probably is a subway but I didnt look into it.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #482 on: February 17, 2015, 11:54:46 AM »
IIRC, from talking to Maccabi's Chabad Mashgiach, they only have Shacharis there. And from the turnout at the non-Chabad Shul, I wouldn't be surprised if Chabad had trouble putting together a Minyan as well.

But Yehoshua, if you end up deciding that you want to attempt Shacharis with a Minyan, then definitely don't stay at 4 Points. It will be a big hassle to have the hotel not near Shul which is not near La Ramblas which is not near Park Guell which is not near... You get the point. I would say to try and stay near at least something and that something should ideally be something you plan on doing a few times (Minyan, restaurant).

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #483 on: February 17, 2015, 12:00:12 PM »
IIRC, from talking to Maccabi's Chabad Mashgiach, they only have Shacharis there. And from the turnout at the non-Chabad Shul, I wouldn't be surprised if Chabad had trouble putting together a Minyan as well.

But Yehoshua, if you end up deciding that you want to attempt Shacharis with a Minyan, then definitely don't stay at 4 Points. It will be a big hassle to have the hotel not near Shul which is not near La Ramblas which is not near Park Guell which is not near... You get the point. I would say to try and stay near at least something and that something should ideally be something you plan on doing a few times (Minyan, restaurant).
Got it. At this point I've kind of given up at staying at the 4 Points. It looks like it's between booking a 4* place or using Priceline.  It's too bad the shul and restaurant are not near each other, but since the restaurant is in Las Ramblas and that looks like the 'main' area I'm looking into staying near there. The soccer stadium area is near the shul as ethana pointed out, but we'll probably go the the restaurant late when we arrive and the next night as well vs. only one shachris. Man, Rome was convenient for Mincha/Maariv being right near the restaurants!

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #484 on: February 17, 2015, 12:07:54 PM »
Got it. At this point I've kind of given up at staying at the 4 Points. It looks like it's between booking a 4* place or using Priceline.  It's too bad the shul and restaurant are not near each other, but since the restaurant is in Las Ramblas and that looks like the 'main' area I'm looking into staying near there. The soccer stadium area is near the shul as ethana pointed out, but we'll probably go the the restaurant late when we arrive and the next night as well vs. only one shachris. Man, Rome was convenient for Mincha/Maariv being right near the restaurants!
Yes! Although not convenient for one who stayed a 40 minutes subway ride outside the city  :( Venice also isn't too convenient in terms of the points hotels being 30 min away from the restaurants/Minyan.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #485 on: February 17, 2015, 12:09:51 PM »
Yes! Although not convenient for one who stayed a 40 minutes subway ride outside the city  :( Venice also isn't too convenient in terms of the points hotels being 30 min away from the restaurants/Minyan.
True, but at least in both Venice and Rome there were shuls near the restaurants. Barcelona seems to spread them out.

In terms of prettier neighborhoods though, is Las Ramblas nicer/more popular than the soccer stadium area?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #486 on: February 17, 2015, 12:10:38 PM »
We thought was ramblas was not pretty at all with nothing to do there.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #487 on: February 17, 2015, 12:11:56 PM »
We thought was ramblas was not pretty at all with nothing to do there.
So why are there so many nice hotels there? I know you rented an apartment, but was the neighborhood you stayed in nicer? Which neighborhood would you recommend, even of the ones you didn't stay in?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #488 on: February 17, 2015, 12:22:04 PM »
I think it's because it's the center of the city and lots of shopping. But in my opinion it wasn't particularly nice.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #489 on: February 17, 2015, 12:36:58 PM »
I think it's because it's the center of the city and lots of shopping. But in my opinion it wasn't particularly nice.
Hmm...So the nice neighborhood had more greenery? What made it nicer?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #490 on: February 17, 2015, 12:39:26 PM »
I would say quieter and not as sleazy and less pickpockets

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #491 on: February 17, 2015, 12:43:09 PM »
I would say quieter and not as sleazy and less pickpockets
What makes shops sleazy? Would you say it's like the Westin area in Rome?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #492 on: February 17, 2015, 01:34:07 PM »
The shops aren't sleazy although there are certain establishments that could be considered that.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #493 on: February 17, 2015, 01:34:46 PM »
The shops aren't sleazy although there are certain establishments that could be considered that.
Can you compare the areas to another city?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #494 on: February 17, 2015, 01:38:00 PM »
Downtown Athens I would say. I wasn't too enamored although plenty of people are so it could just be me. But if ease of access to maccabi is what you're looking for then that's the place to be.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #495 on: February 17, 2015, 01:55:03 PM »
Downtown Athens I would say. I wasn't too enamored although plenty of people are so it could just be me. But if ease of access to maccabi is what you're looking for then that's the place to be.
Hmm, I haven't been to Athens, just Rome, London, Venice, & Zurich, Florence in Europe. Another thing we want is easy access to the airport. I know there's a bus that goes directly, but it seems like both neighborhoods have good access.

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #496 on: February 17, 2015, 01:58:44 PM »
I didn't find La Ramblas sleazy or a not-nice neighborhood. It's one long strip of pedestrian mall. The stores are classic, the booths in the street are just as "sleazy" as a booth in NYC.

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #497 on: February 17, 2015, 02:27:43 PM »
Well delicias isn't kosher anymore. If that's what the other option is

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #498 on: February 17, 2015, 02:27:55 PM »
For God's sake! Maccabi is not the restaurant you want to go to!
:o :o :o

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #499 on: February 17, 2015, 02:33:54 PM »
For God's sake! Maccabi is not the restaurant you want to go to!
Where would you recommend? Jewish Barcelona only lists Maccabi.