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 272121 times)

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #500 on: February 17, 2015, 04:03:57 PM »
Delicius and the dairy place are both fantastic and the Mashgiach actually knows what he's doing
« Last Edit: February 17, 2015, 06:03:05 PM by SamKey »

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #501 on: February 17, 2015, 04:07:32 PM »
Delicius isn't kisher anymore. I spoke to the owner.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #502 on: February 17, 2015, 04:08:47 PM »
Delicius and the dairy place are both 10x better than Maccabi and the Mashgiach actually knows what he's doing
What's the name of the dairy place? I'd like that better anyway.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #503 on: February 17, 2015, 05:14:29 PM »
Delicius and the dairy place are both 10x better than Maccabi and the Mashgiach actually knows what he's doing
You've ranked on the Mashgiach at this place for quite some time. When was the last time you went into a restaurant and the Mashgiach wasn't just some 20-year old bum who couldn't get a better job?

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #504 on: February 17, 2015, 05:29:48 PM »
Delicius isn't kisher anymore. I spoke to the owner.
Try this place, Shalom,  food is really good.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187497-d3977025-r182976072-Shalom-Barcelona_Catalonia.html
Delicius and the dairy place are both 10x better than Maccabi and the Mashgiach actually knows what he's doing

What's the name of the dairy place? I'd like that better anyway.

You've ranked on the Mashgiach at this place for quite some time. When was the last time you went into a restaurant and the Mashgiach wasn't just some 20-year old bum who couldn't get a better job?

Offline Yehoshua

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Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #506 on: February 17, 2015, 05:34:51 PM »
What about this review?
Weird, I was there this past March. Also, there is a review from September,  so I guess PUTPAC tomorrow to find out if they are still around. 

Or call chabad and ask. That's what I did

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #507 on: February 17, 2015, 05:36:53 PM »
The more I've looked the more I've come to the conclusion that * ratings mean next to nothing. Some 4* hotels look old and nasty while others look nice.  Same with 5* places.

I really wanted to do Priceline NYOP, but now I'm nervous that's not such a good idea. Could be we get a nice place, but I don't want to end up in a dump.

Now I'm not sure what to do. I guess airbnb is an option, but we'll be arriving late and I wasn't sure how that would work. Le Meridien is also an option, but not the best use of points. Any ideas?

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #508 on: February 17, 2015, 06:02:09 PM »
I apologize I mixed up Maccabi and Shalom, I have never been to Maccabi.
You've ranked on the Mashgiach at this place for quite some time. When was the last time you went into a restaurant and the Mashgiach wasn't just some 20-year old bum who couldn't get a better job?
Unless the restaurant is under a reputable Hashgacha I have never eaten at a restaurant without speaking to the Mashgiach first and confirming he knows what he's doing. For the record any restaurant without aMashgiach who knows what he's doing is probably treif.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #509 on: February 17, 2015, 06:21:11 PM »
I apologize I mixed up Maccabi and Shalom, I have never been to Maccabi.Unless the restaurant is under a reputable Hashgacha I have never eaten at a restaurant without speaking to the Mashgiach first and confirming he knows what he's doing. For the record any restaurant without aMashgiach who knows what he's doing is probably treif.
Do you differentiate between pareve/dairy/meat places?

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #510 on: February 18, 2015, 02:22:23 AM »
Do you differentiate between pareve/dairy/meat places?
Really depends where, in Israel there could be problems with everything but lower caliber when it comes to dairy/parve in America there's much less to be worried about and there are more restaurants with good hashgachos

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #511 on: February 18, 2015, 11:02:30 AM »
Still not sure how to get MAD-BCN.
Option 1-Train,  costs $50-70, takes 3 hours, doesn't cost must to get to/from train stations, tickets won't be on sale until end of April (for my dates at end of June)
Option 2a-paid flight, costs $74, takes 1 hour, add 1.5 hours for check-in, costs more to get to/from airports, tickets are on sale now
Option 2b-Avios flight, costs 4.5k avios +$25, but given a rate of 1.2-1.5cpp that's $54-67.50+$25 making it more expensive. The only benefit is it comes with a free bag I believe.

Any thoughts/ideas? Also FWIW, I for motion sick on the train in Italy.

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #512 on: February 18, 2015, 01:35:56 PM »
i took the train and enjoyed it

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #513 on: February 18, 2015, 02:46:59 PM »
i took the train and enjoyed it
How much was it?

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #514 on: February 18, 2015, 03:20:16 PM »
How much was it?
was in 2009 so probably irrelevant

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #515 on: February 18, 2015, 03:21:29 PM »
was in 2009 so probably irrelevant
Definitely, but do you recall it being a lot cheaper than flying?

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #516 on: February 18, 2015, 03:31:29 PM »
Definitely, but do you recall it being a lot cheaper than flying?
i dont recall that

Offline DrDanny

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #517 on: February 18, 2015, 04:00:02 PM »
Still not sure how to get MAD-BCN.
Option 1-Train,  costs $50-70, takes 3 hours, doesn't cost must to get to/from train stations, tickets won't be on sale until end of April (for my dates at end of June)
Option 2a-paid flight, costs $74, takes 1 hour, add 1.5 hours for check-in, costs more to get to/from airports, tickets are on sale now
Option 2b-Avios flight, costs 4.5k avios +$25, but given a rate of 1.2-1.5cpp that's $54-67.50+$25 making it more expensive. The only benefit is it comes with a free bag I believe.

Any thoughts/ideas? Also FWIW, I for motion sick on the train in Italy.
If you were motion sick on the train in Italy the trains aren't a whole lot different.
If that's not something you're concerned about then take the train all in it's a more comfortable enjoyable experience in my opinion plus door to door it will probably be faster then flying.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #518 on: February 18, 2015, 04:15:42 PM »
If you were motion sick on the train in Italy the trains aren't a whole lot different.
If that's not something you're concerned about then take the train all in it's a more comfortable enjoyable experience in my opinion plus door to door it will probably be faster then flying.
The thing I wasn't sure about was the two different types of train service. One seems more express than the other, despite both being AVE service. Some trains take 2h30m while others take 3h10m. Since I hadn't been on such a high speed train before Italy (and I never got sick from a train before) I assume that slower trains are better. Do you know the difference between the two speeds? Is it really one speed with one making more stops?

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #519 on: February 19, 2015, 06:56:42 PM »
@ yehoshua did you decide were you're staying at in bcn yet? Am planning a trip there mid april and looking at all possibilities as well