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 271999 times)

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #540 on: February 23, 2015, 03:05:50 PM »
Around the corner from the shul

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #541 on: February 23, 2015, 03:15:00 PM »
Around the corner from the shul
Hmmm, also the location looks better and it's not too far from the metro/train stop (Gmaps says 12 minutes). Just the thought of using half the 70k sign up bonus on one place seems like a lot. It was really that nice?

Offline Oceanblue

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #542 on: February 23, 2015, 03:23:35 PM »
Has anyone stayed at the Westin Palace Madrid? I reserved a room with SPG points for next month

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #543 on: February 23, 2015, 03:39:59 PM »
Around the corner from the shul
Has anyone stayed at the Westin Palace Madrid? I reserved a room with SPG points for next month
No, but I totally forgot about this hotel. It's available for C+P the night I need. Which is a better deal? The AC Palace or the Westin with C+P?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #544 on: February 23, 2015, 03:50:48 PM »
No, but I totally forgot about this hotel. It's available for C+P the night I need. Which is a better deal? The AC Palace or the Westin with C+P?
I stayed at like 5 AC's - they're modern but simple. I imagine a Westin is much nicer, no?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #545 on: February 23, 2015, 03:55:20 PM »
I stayed at like 5 AC's - they're modern but simple. I imagine a Westin is much nicer, no?
Probably, but the AC Santo Mauro, Autograph Collection looks nicer than the Westin. Also 35k Marriott (at .7cpp) < 16k SPG (at 2.2cpp), but 35k Marriot ~= 6k SPG + $110, that's why I'm not sure. What would you do though regarding the AC Atocha (20k Marriott) vs the AC Santo Mauro, Autograph Collection (35k)?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #546 on: February 23, 2015, 03:57:46 PM »
Probably, but the AC Santo Mauro, Autograph Collection looks nicer than the Westin. Also 35k Marriott (at .7cpp) < 16k SPG (at 2.2cpp), but 35k Marriot ~= 6k SPG + $110, that's why I'm not sure. What would you do though regarding the AC Atocha (20k Marriott) vs the AC Santo Mauro, Autograph Collection (35k)?
See the location of both places and how they are in terms of activities. I thought all ACs were the same level of hotel. Guess not if one is Autograph.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #547 on: February 23, 2015, 04:36:06 PM »
See the location of both places and how they are in terms of activities. I thought all ACs were the same level of hotel. Guess not if one is Autograph.
Looks like based on what you did (Retiro Park and the Palace (as well as Plaza Mayor near the Palace) the AC Santo Mauro looks like it's in a better location. Since we only have 1 day in Madrid that's all we'll end up doing anyway. Also, like you, we don't plan on eating at the restaurant for 2 reasons: 1) we'll be bringing food from Italy; and 2) it's almost all fleishig and I don't do that.  Even so, the only potential better hotel option is the AC Palacio del Retiro, but TA says that Santo Mauro is nicer so I'll probably just suck up the 35k and change it to there. The AC Atocha is cheaper, but it seems like the only thing it's near is the train station, which is apparently not a requirement to get to/from the airport. At the AC Santo Mauro you're a 20 minute walk from the Nuevos Ministerios metro stop, where the 8 train leaves from to go to the airport.

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #548 on: February 23, 2015, 04:44:19 PM »
My wife was all upset; apparently the actor Ryan gosseling stayed in the santo Mauro right after we left.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #549 on: February 23, 2015, 04:45:00 PM »
Looks like based on what you did (Retiro Park and the Palace (as well as Plaza Mayor near the Palace) the AC Santo Mauro looks like it's in a better location. Since we only have 1 day in Madrid that's all we'll end up doing anyway. Also, like you, we don't plan on eating at the restaurant for 2 reasons: 1) we'll be bringing food from Italy; and 2) it's almost all fleishig and I don't do that.  Even so, the only potential better hotel option is the AC Palacio del Retiro, but TA says that Santo Mauro is nicer so I'll probably just suck up the 35k and change it to there. The AC Atocha is cheaper, but it seems like the only thing it's near is the train station, which is apparently not a requirement to get to/from the airport. At the AC Santo Mauro you're a 20 minute walk from the Nuevos Ministerios metro stop, where the 8 train leaves from to go to the airport.
Wow, just thinking about those 2 items we did and I got hit with awesome memories. That day in Madrid was really fun - you guys should enjoy!!!!

We definitely did not go through Atocha to get to the airport. Not sure which subway line got us there, but seems like you figured it out. I also ran the airport route by the front desk clerks at basically every hotel and they can give tips that Gmaps might not have.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #550 on: February 23, 2015, 04:57:11 PM »
Wow, just thinking about those 2 items we did and I got hit with awesome memories. That day in Madrid was really fun - you guys should enjoy!!!!

We definitely did not go through Atocha to get to the airport. Not sure which subway line got us there, but seems like you figured it out. I also ran the airport route by the front desk clerks at basically every hotel and they can give tips that Gmaps might not have.
Yeah, I got the info directly from the airport's website.

Offline Oceanblue

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #551 on: February 23, 2015, 05:49:43 PM »
Probably, but the AC Santo Mauro, Autograph Collection looks nicer than the Westin. Also 35k Marriott (at .7cpp) < 16k SPG (at 2.2cpp), but 35k Marriot ~= 6k SPG + $110, that's why I'm not sure. What would you do though regarding the AC Atocha (20k Marriott) vs the AC Santo Mauro, Autograph Collection (35k)?

It was only SPG 12,000 pts/night for my dates next month...but it looks like you're going to the busy season

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #552 on: February 23, 2015, 05:51:19 PM »
It was only SPG 12,000 pts/night for my dates next month...but it looks like you're going to the busy season
Correct. I just decided to stay at the AC Santo Mauro after all.

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #553 on: February 23, 2015, 05:52:15 PM »
There ya go

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #554 on: February 23, 2015, 05:54:22 PM »

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #555 on: February 23, 2015, 07:14:16 PM »
Correct. I just decided to stay at the AC Santo Mauro after all.
Glad you made the decision :)

Offline Oceanblue

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #556 on: February 23, 2015, 07:19:31 PM »
If I'm flying into Madrid as my first Europe destination (with Munich layover), whats the best/least costly way to get Euros to start my trip? Are there airport ATMs?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #557 on: February 23, 2015, 07:28:19 PM »
If I'm flying into Madrid as my first Europe destination (with Munich layover), whats the best/least costly way to get Euros to start my trip? Are there airport ATMs?
Use a bank that has no/low exchange fee and no ATM fees. It's an airport, of course they have ATMs.

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #558 on: February 23, 2015, 07:35:34 PM »
Has anyone stayed at the Westin Palace Madrid? I reserved a room with SPG points for next month
yes, loved it. upgraded to a nice big suite too

Offline LAXtraveler

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #559 on: February 23, 2015, 07:45:35 PM »
Has anyone stayed at the Westin Palace Madrid? I reserved a room with SPG points for next month

Yes, many years ago.  Great location.