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 272282 times)

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #760 on: May 15, 2016, 11:40:49 PM »
That's valuable. So, the five of us will arrive late on a Tuesday evening, have all day Wednesday in Madrid, and then leave Thursday morning for Sevilla.   Seems that we can afford to take half of Wednesday in Toledo. Train only takes 30 minutes each way and costs $30RT.
You probably could, although my wife and I really enjoyed the Royal Palace and eating lunch in Plaza Mayor. We did those things as well as spending the morning in Retiro park and it filled up our day.

Offline zow

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #761 on: May 15, 2016, 11:42:50 PM »
You probably could, although my wife and I really enjoyed the Royal Palace and eating lunch in Plaza Mayor. We did those things as well as spending the morning in Retiro park and it filled up our day.

Right. This is the dilemma. The way we have configured it, there's not really any time to do anything the evening we arrive into Madrid or the morning we depart, so we really have only the one full day.  Might be better just to stay put and save Toledo for another trip.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #762 on: May 16, 2016, 07:35:46 AM »
You really only have 1 day, then, as a short night and morning don't equate to a "half day". Stay in MAD. Plenty to keep you busy for a full day.

Offline yg99

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #763 on: May 16, 2016, 10:48:39 AM »
Stay in Madrid. See the palace, walk the squares and the park.

There are museums and plenty of shopping if that's your thing.

Offline David1

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #764 on: May 26, 2016, 11:15:29 AM »
Can anyone recommend restaurants in Madrid and Barcelona?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #765 on: May 26, 2016, 11:37:34 AM »
Can anyone recommend restaurants in Madrid and Barcelona?
In Barcelona Maccabi is great. I didn't eat at the restaurant in Madrid.

Offline David1

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #766 on: May 26, 2016, 11:47:06 AM »
In Barcelona Maccabi is great. I didn't eat at the restaurant in Madrid.
Thanks, and i wanted to thank you for a great trip report. Used it to help plan my trip! Will be going in July

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #767 on: May 26, 2016, 11:48:42 AM »
Thanks, and i wanted to thank you for a great trip report. Used it to help plan my trip! Will be going in July
Glad it was useful.

Offline yg99

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #768 on: May 27, 2016, 10:23:36 AM »
In Barcelona Maccabi is great. I didn't eat at the restaurant in Madrid.

+1

Offline zow

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #769 on: June 02, 2016, 12:32:04 AM »
Looking to book our one night in Sevilla.
It appears that the AC Fontacruz has left the building and is no longer Marriott.
I am thinking of booking at the Hilton Garden Inn.  I realize that it's kind of far from the city center, but that might not be a problem, given that we're only staying one night.
Anyone with experience at this HGI?

PS: I have Hilton Diamond status. The HH rep told me that only one of the two rooms we are reserving qualifies for free breakfast. Is that YMMV at the hotel or pretty strict systemwide?  Also, what's the chance of getting an upgrade to larger rooms here? Thanks.

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #770 on: June 02, 2016, 07:51:53 AM »
i assume free breakfast goes by the diamond account and thats why its only for one room and not both?

Offline zow

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #771 on: June 02, 2016, 09:13:19 AM »
i assume free breakfast goes by the diamond account and thats why its only for one room and not both?
That's my primitive understanding of it, as well.  But it never hurts to ask at the hotel. :)

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #772 on: June 23, 2016, 03:38:02 PM »
Can anyone recommend a nice hotel for one night in Barcelona? It  would probably make sense to be in the Las Ramblas Area near Maccabi Restaurant. Le Meridian looks like a good option but doesn't look like its worth the 20K Points. What other point hotels are near there? Is there a nice boutique hotel that reasonably priced?

Also, what would be the best way to make the most out of just one full day?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #773 on: June 23, 2016, 03:40:59 PM »
Can anyone recommend a nice hotel for one night in Barcelona? It  would probably make sense to be in the Las Ramblas Area near Maccabi Restaurant. Le Meridian looks like a good option but doesn't look like its worth the 20K Points. What other point hotels are near there? Is there a nice boutique hotel that reasonably priced?

Also, what would be the best way to make the most out of just one full day?
Consider Airbnb. There's loads of great places all around Las Ramblas.

We really enjoyed the free walking tour we did. Details are in my TR.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #774 on: June 23, 2016, 05:40:45 PM »
I see you stayed in hotels everywhere besides BCN. Why AirBNB and not hotel there too? Also, does it pay to do an AirBNB for just one quick night? Tnx
I stayed at an AirBNB in BCN specifically because I didn't want to use points at the 2 SPG properties in Las Ramblas (Le Meridien and the W). I found the general * ratings for hotels in BCN to be different than I'm used to, so while one hotel may claim to be 4* or 5* they may only be what I'd consider to be 3*. It became too much of a headache to find an independent hotel (no other points hotels are in the area), so I looked into AirBNB. I definately think it's worth it for only 1 night. Some people won't rent to you for less than 2 or 3 days, but if you put your dates into the search you'll only get results for places who'll accept 1-night reservations.

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #775 on: June 23, 2016, 10:58:10 PM »
I stayed at an AirBNB in BCN specifically because I didn't want to use points at the 2 SPG properties in Las Ramblas (Le Meridien and the W). I found the general * ratings for hotels in BCN to be different than I'm used to, so while one hotel may claim to be 4* or 5* they may only be what I'd consider to be 3*. It became too much of a headache to find an independent hotel (no other points hotels are in the area), so I looked into AirBNB. I definately think it's worth it for only 1 night. Some people won't rent to you for less than 2 or 3 days, but if you put your dates into the search you'll only get results for places who'll accept 1-night reservations.
Thank you very much. Ill do a search and see what I come up with. If anyone knows of a decent boutique hotel in La Ramblas area please share.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #776 on: June 23, 2016, 11:02:15 PM »
Thank you very much. Ill do a search and see what I come up with. If anyone knows of a decent boutique hotel in La Ramblas area please share.
Are you opposed to Airbnb? Why not just go with that instead of trying to find a hotel?

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #777 on: June 24, 2016, 12:26:42 AM »
Are you opposed to Airbnb? Why not just go with that instead of trying to find a hotel?
Ive always stayed at hotels and nervous that a private apartment rental won't live up to the standard of a nice hotel. But maybe I should open my eyes and give it a shot.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #778 on: June 24, 2016, 12:33:50 AM »
Ive always stayed at hotels and nervous that a private apartment rental won't live up to the standard of a nice hotel. But maybe I should open my eyes and give it a shot.
I think so. Airbnbs are quite nice.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #779 on: June 24, 2016, 06:56:45 AM »
The Jewish tour was also very good.