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 272018 times)

Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #600 on: May 27, 2015, 01:26:28 AM »
Any recommendations on a Jewish Toledo tour?
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #601 on: May 27, 2015, 07:29:53 AM »
Any recommendations on a Jewish Toledo tour?
Read through the thread/search. There's only 1 tour and it's mentioned.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #602 on: May 27, 2015, 07:50:19 AM »
Any recommendations on a Jewish Toledo tour?
Quote
Activities Day 3: This was the highlight of our trip. We were picked up at the hotel by Salomon who drove us to Toledo and gave us a fascinating 3 hour walking tour of history and Jewish perspective. Awesome. He then drove us to Madrid and showed us the significant points of interest in Madrid. He then drove us back to the hotel. Solomon’s website is http://www.jewishtoledotour.com/

Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #603 on: May 27, 2015, 07:52:18 AM »
Thanks.
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.

Offline moto

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #604 on: June 15, 2015, 06:13:31 PM »
Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in marbella spain on the beach?

things to do there ?

thank you

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #605 on: June 16, 2015, 06:52:30 AM »
Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in marbella spain on the beach?

things to do there ?

thank you
I stayed at Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar. Beaches are gorgeos and nearby there are lots of luxury shopping and fancy cars

Offline elimmm

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #606 on: June 18, 2015, 04:43:34 PM »
anyone took train from mad to gib?

Offline ethana

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #607 on: June 18, 2015, 04:44:13 PM »
took from mad to svq

Offline gubevo18

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #608 on: June 19, 2015, 01:30:03 AM »
anyone took train from mad to gib?
I don't believe there is a train from Madrid to Gibraltar. There is one to nearby Algeciras and then its a short bus ride to la linea where you will walk over the border to Gibraltar. However, the train ride is quite long. There is an express train to Malaga that takes about 2 and a half 3 hours.  But Malaga is a good hour drive from La Linea.
I opted for the bus which goes overnight from Madrid to La Linea. It also happens to be much cheaper (its about 30 euro). It was a very nice bus with outlets and pretty comfortable but no bathrooms. They did stop at a rest stop so it wasn't to big of a deal. The timing was fine because we planned to sleep on the bus if you are able to do so.
On the way back we were forced to take a taxi to Malaga and from there the train. They don't speak English well in Spain and we understood at the office in Madrid  that we would be able to buy return tickets on the bus  back however when we the bus showed up the driver didn't allow us on. So we paid a hefty sum instead taxi plus the last minute train ticket.
(I actually think that you can buy the return tickets during box office hours in the la Linea station however the bus leaves later on in the night well after the ticket office closes. Good luck!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #609 on: June 23, 2015, 04:24:37 PM »
This article talks about the differences between the A-7 (free) and the AP-7 (toll) when driving the western Costa del Sol.

We'll be driving from Gibraltar to Malaga, and I wanted to know if anyone has taken either of these highways and which one you'd recommend. I'm thinking of taking the A-7, not so much to avoid tolls, but because it seems to have better views. Does this make sense?

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #610 on: June 23, 2015, 04:44:21 PM »
This article talks about the differences between the A-7 (free) and the AP-7 (toll) when driving the western Costa del Sol.

We'll be driving from Gibraltar to Malaga, and I wanted to know if anyone has taken either of these highways and which one you'd recommend. I'm thinking of taking the A-7, not so much to avoid tolls, but because it seems to have better views. Does this make sense?
I drove the toll one it was at night

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #611 on: June 23, 2015, 04:53:18 PM »
I drove the toll one it was at night
I'll be driving during the day.

Offline rediplus

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #612 on: June 24, 2015, 05:40:44 PM »
We drove it up on the way to the Alhambra in Granada. Definitely a scenic drive and easy access to the coastal towns. We didn't stop at the beaches as we were short on time but would definitely do it again. Traffic was non existent in the middle of the day.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #613 on: June 24, 2015, 05:54:24 PM »
We drove it up on the way to the Alhambra in Granada. Definitely a scenic drive and easy access to the coastal towns. We didn't stop at the beaches as we were short on time but would definitely do it again. Traffic was non existent in the middle of the day.
You drove on the A-7? I'm driving on a Sunday morning.

Offline moto

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #614 on: June 24, 2015, 08:29:43 PM »
I arrive in Malaga on Monday  morning driving down to marbeia should I drive to Gibraltar on Tuesday? Wednesday morning were flying back to jfk or should we just enjoy are self in marbeia and leave Gibraltar out?

Offline moish

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #615 on: June 25, 2015, 02:47:29 AM »
I arrive in Malaga on Monday  morning driving down to marbeia should I drive to Gibraltar on Tuesday? Wednesday morning were flying back to jfk or should we just enjoy are self in marbeia and leave Gibraltar out?
depends on how much you like beaches

Offline ChAiM'l

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #616 on: June 25, 2015, 08:05:33 AM »
This article talks about the differences between the A-7 (free) and the AP-7 (toll) when driving the western Costa del Sol.

We'll be driving from Gibraltar to Malaga, and I wanted to know if anyone has taken either of these highways and which one you'd recommend. I'm thinking of taking the A-7, not so much to avoid tolls, but because it seems to have better views. Does this make sense?

The A7 goes through the coastal towns, so you could run into slow traffic there. Also because of the higher volume of vehicles, you will be driving at a slower pace. The AP-7 was more or less empty both during the day and night when I used it and you can drive as fast as you feel comfortable going.

If you want to stop in the towns etc. you're best off going with the A7 as the AP7 can veer quite far away from those.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #617 on: June 25, 2015, 09:45:03 AM »
The A7 goes through the coastal towns, so you could run into slow traffic there. Also because of the higher volume of vehicles, you will be driving at a slower pace. The AP-7 was more or less empty both during the day and night when I used it and you can drive as fast as you feel comfortable going.

If you want to stop in the towns etc. you're best off going with the A7 as the AP7 can veer quite far away from those.
Thanks for the info! I guess we'll see how much time we have, but with extra time I'd love to go on the A-7. Gmaps says it's only an extra 20 minutes without traffic.

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #618 on: July 29, 2015, 06:30:10 PM »
Going to Israel for Sukkos. On the way home I can either fly to Barcelona for 2 days (early October) or just stay longer in Israel and get a direct flight home. I have a 6 month old and a 2.5 year old in tow... I am obviously torn between my desire to see Barcelona vs. the convenience of a direct flight home due to the kids.

Is Barcelona nice enough to make it worth it? Is it silly to go to Barcelona for just 2 days when really I should be spending more time in Spain and therefore I should just go a different time?

Thank you!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #619 on: July 29, 2015, 06:38:46 PM »
Going to Israel for Sukkos. On the way home I can either fly to Barcelona for 2 days (early October) or just stay longer in Israel and get a direct flight home. I have a 6 month old and a 2.5 year old in tow... I am obviously torn between my desire to see Barcelona vs. the convenience of a direct flight home due to the kids.

Is Barcelona nice enough to make it worth it? Is it silly to go to Barcelona for just 2 days when really I should be spending more time in Spain and therefore I should just go a different time?

Thank you!
You don't need more than 2 days in BCN IMO. Whether you should save it for another trip with MAD and elsewhere. I don't know how your kids travel to know if the stop for 2 days would bother them, though I wouldn't view it as a stop, more of a small trip since a stop that affects kids is usually an in-airport or quick overnight stop.