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 272308 times)

Offline gubevo18

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #620 on: July 29, 2015, 09:16:24 PM »
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.
+1
And BCN and MAD arent that close to each other so its not like your gonna HAVE to go again if you end up in MAD again.

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #621 on: July 30, 2015, 01:50:46 AM »
+1
And BCN and MAD arent that close to each other so its not like your gonna HAVE to go again if you end up in MAD again.
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.
Thanks for the helpful replies! I am going to try to pull this off...

Offline Yuey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #622 on: August 03, 2015, 01:34:07 PM »
Does anyone recommend a good half day tour in Seville? Is there anything to do there the evenings?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #623 on: August 03, 2015, 01:37:28 PM »
Does anyone recommend a good half day tour in Seville? Is there anything to do there the evenings?
Most half day tours start in the morning, so I couldn't do any of them. Not much to do in the evenings besides walking around.

Offline SLP

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #624 on: August 03, 2015, 01:57:14 PM »
Does anyone recommend a good half day tour in Seville? Is there anything to do there the evenings?
You can go to a flamenco show if that's your kind of  thing. We went to one in a bar, just needed to buy drinks. There are fancier, more professional ones that require tickets.

Offline Yuey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #625 on: August 04, 2015, 11:09:35 AM »
Any recommendations for food in Madrid? I'll be there on Sunday and Monday (leaving from GIB early Sunday morning on train to MAD via Malaga).

Offline SamKey

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #626 on: August 04, 2015, 11:44:28 AM »
Any recommendations for food in Madrid? I'll be there on Sunday and Monday (leaving from GIB early Sunday morning on train to MAD via Malaga).
I'll be there Tuesday! There's a restaurant there http://jewisheurope.org/detail.asp?ID=1051

Offline raccah

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #627 on: August 24, 2015, 05:35:15 PM »
Hey guys - I have six days in Spain. What do u guys recommend?
What is the best way to fly inside of Europe? Kayak shows me ways to get places for cheap, but are these flights going to nickel and dime me? Carry on, no printed tickets, etc? Avios went way up in the devaluation, or am I missing something? Can I just go with AA or UAL miles for 5K a pop or is it far more?

Personally, we will want to go to Barcelona for 2 days, Madrid for a day or two, Gibraltar for shabbos, Seville for a day or so and then on to UK. I have seen folks ask, but is there a way to get food for take out in Gibraltar for shabbos and not eat at folks places? Athens has the restaurant for Shabbos, which allows for a bit or privacy, does Gil have that as well?

TIA!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #628 on: August 24, 2015, 05:46:04 PM »
Hey guys - I have six days in Spain. What do u guys recommend?
What is the best way to fly inside of Europe? Kayak shows me ways to get places for cheap, but are these flights going to nickel and dime me? Carry on, no printed tickets, etc? Avios went way up in the devaluation, or am I missing something? Can I just go with AA or UAL miles for 5K a pop or is it far more?

Personally, we will want to go to Barcelona for 2 days, Madrid for a day or two, Gibraltar for shabbos, Seville for a day or so and then on to UK. I have seen folks ask, but is there a way to get food for take out in Gibraltar for shabbos and not eat at folks places? Athens has the restaurant for Shabbos, which allows for a bit or privacy, does Gil have that as well?

TIA!
Read the Spain part of my TR for answers to all your questions.

Offline raccah

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #629 on: August 24, 2015, 11:47:39 PM »
Thanks @Yehoshua - but the rules and all around luggage and flights were a bit vague in Europe. I would prefer not to check luggage, so can you do carry on like in the US? Or can u pay for that or no way? Can you buy Biz or are points better? Will biz allow for carry on?

I liked the biz I saw on AirEuropa - they actually have biz seats, Belgian Air just had an empty middle seat the last time I went to Israel via Belgium.

TIA!

Offline raccah

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #630 on: September 07, 2015, 12:35:01 AM »
Hey guys,

What is the best way to get from Madrid to GIB? I want to spend shabbos in GIB. I looked at the train and there are no night trains. The latest train from Madrid to Algeciras in October is 15:35 - really? I could try to go from Madrid to GIB on Friday morning, but I am not a huge fan - of being stuck for Shabbos at the whim of the freaking train workers, who think striking is like going to McDonalds!

So, the choices I see are:

1) rent a car and then drive down when I want to
2) Take a flight from MAD to Malaga and then taxi in

Any other ideas? TIA!

Offline Emkay

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #631 on: September 07, 2015, 01:04:46 AM »
Hey guys,

What is the best way to get from Madrid to GIB? I want to spend shabbos in GIB. I looked at the train and there are no night trains. The latest train from Madrid to Algeciras in October is 15:35 - really? I could try to go from Madrid to GIB on Friday morning, but I am not a huge fan - of being stuck for Shabbos at the whim of the freaking train workers, who think striking is like going to McDonalds!

So, the choices I see are:

1) rent a car and then drive down when I want to
2) Take a flight from MAD to Malaga and then taxi in

Any other ideas? TIA!
Fastest and cheapest option is likely B, that's what i will be doing

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #632 on: September 07, 2015, 02:03:53 AM »
Fastest and cheapest option is likely B, that's what i will be doing
You can also have a frum driver from GIB pick you up in AGP. Most locals in GIB use AGP as their airport unless they're flying to LHR.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #633 on: September 07, 2015, 02:16:10 AM »
You can also have a frum driver from GIB pick you up in AGP. Most locals in GIB use AGP as their airport unless they're flying to LHR.
Have a way to arrange that?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #634 on: September 07, 2015, 02:27:01 AM »
Have a way to arrange that?
Yes. PM for details.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #635 on: September 07, 2015, 09:34:31 AM »
2) Take a flight from MAD to Malaga and then taxi in
Fastest and cheapest option is likely B, that's what i will be doing
Driving from MAD sounds way too long. Besides for getting a taxi from AGP, you could consider renting a car, although driving within GIB isn't fun. (However, there is only <10 minutes of driving within GIB that you'll need to do.) You should also consider flying into SVQ in case flights to AGP or car rentals from there (if you opt for that) are too expensive. SVQ is about 30 minutes further from GIB than AGP.

Offline raccah

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #636 on: September 07, 2015, 12:23:49 PM »
Thanks Yehuda, I checked - a pair of Uber prices are far lower than an auto car for the days I need. So a round trip car rental of automatic is not a deal to me.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #637 on: September 07, 2015, 01:53:34 PM »
Thanks Yehuda, I checked - a pair of Uber prices are far lower than an auto car for the days I need. So a round trip car rental of automatic is not a deal to me.
It could be that Uber is not a bad deal, but if you're cool with driving and are looking for the cheapest option, I would suggest talking to some of the car rental experts here to get some help knocking down the price.  ;)

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #638 on: September 07, 2015, 01:56:17 PM »
It could be that Uber is not a bad deal, but if you're cool with driving and are looking for the cheapest option, I would suggest talking to some of the car rental experts here to get some help knocking down the price.  ;)
Of course renting manual helps bring the price down considerably...

Offline raccah

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #639 on: September 07, 2015, 02:17:41 PM »
I am sure that is the case, but I have no interest in learning manual on a rental car, lol