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 272084 times)

Offline jonesy

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1120 on: March 13, 2022, 09:25:29 PM »
We liked him. Member of the Madrid shul. Good personality, knowledgeable and had a good car (although it was about 5 years ago that we went). He even picked up some kosher food for us and brought for lunch. I think he mentioned a kosher (not sure exactly hechsher) manchego cheese farm somewhere in the area that we didn’t do but may be of interest. Sorry- can’t find his WhatsApp but he was responsive to email back then.

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1121 on: March 13, 2022, 09:34:23 PM »
We liked him. Member of the Madrid shul. Good personality, knowledgeable and had a good car (although it was about 5 years ago that we went). He even picked up some kosher food for us and brought for lunch. I think he mentioned a kosher (not sure exactly hechsher) manchego cheese farm somewhere in the area that we didn’t do but may be of interest. Sorry- can’t find his WhatsApp but he was responsive to email back then.
Ok, thanks!
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Offline jonesy

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1122 on: March 13, 2022, 09:36:28 PM »
Anyone have a favorite place for shabbos? Madrid, Barcelona? Toldeo?

Somewhere that you can walk around and explore preferably.

Stayed in Madrid for shabbos- was nice walking the city and relaxing in retiro park. Intercontinental is pretty nice and not far from the shul. Ordered our own food for shabbos which turned out to be the right move (other travelers complained about the shul accommodations- not sure if they’ve improved). Stopped at a small free (maybe not anymore) art museum (Sorolla) near the hotel. Wasn’t in Barcelona or Toledo for shabbos but based on weekdays there, both should also have nice walking for shabbos. All are pretty hot in summer and no eruv, so keep that in mind (didn’t really hamper us in Madrid- walked later afternoon and ended up at shul for mincha where we rehydrated).

Offline Zalc

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1123 on: July 03, 2022, 02:34:57 PM »
Have his whatsapp number by chance?

Was he good?

It's a shame because Shlomo Hanoka seems to really know his stuff, and the area.

Do you have direct contact info for either of them?
The websites only have contact forms, those are often unreliable.

Offline Zalc

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1124 on: July 05, 2022, 12:39:11 PM »
https://jewishsegovia.com/about-us/

Asher Bentolila does Toledo tours. Used him in Segovia
Rumor has it that Asher got married and moved away.
He recommended a non-Jewish tour guide, for Toledo, but it was really bad.

If you can’t get Hanoka you are better off reading Wikipedia

Offline Wizmanison

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1125 on: July 15, 2022, 02:16:16 PM »
In Paris for work next week and have from Friday - Tuesday to travel freely (need to return to cdg for outbound flight). Was thinking Spain/Portugal. Any recs for where to stay for shabbat and then travel around after? Would be fine with training or taking short flights to see other parts of Spain/Portugal!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1126 on: July 15, 2022, 02:49:02 PM »
In Paris for work next week and have from Friday - Tuesday to travel freely (need to return to cdg for outbound flight). Was thinking Spain/Portugal. Any recs for where to stay for shabbat and then travel around after? Would be fine with training or taking short flights to see other parts of Spain/Portugal!
I know we had a great time in Gibraltar for shabbos, but I'm sure Madrid or Barcelona as good as well. You'd need to fly to Malaga and just drive to Gibraltar though.

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1127 on: July 17, 2022, 07:18:54 AM »
I know we had a great time in Gibraltar for shabbos, but I'm sure Madrid or Barcelona as good as well. You'd need to fly to Malaga and just drive to Gibraltar though.

thanks for the tip! Can I ask what you liked about Gibraltar?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1128 on: July 17, 2022, 10:22:23 AM »
thanks for the tip! Can I ask what you liked about Gibraltar?
Small community, super friendly, you can see Africa, and just good vibes overall. Perfect for shabbos.

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״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1130 on: July 17, 2022, 08:55:16 PM »

Offline Spoon

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Offline Issacrose

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1132 on: August 01, 2022, 09:39:28 AM »
Has anyone been to Madrid since covid. Have a 10 hour stopover iyh. Wanted some info on Minyan / Kosher food ( Kashrus standard) as well as touring information. Thanks

Offline Gvann

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1133 on: August 01, 2022, 12:53:24 PM »
Has anyone been to Madrid since covid. Have a 10 hour stopover iyh. Wanted some info on Minyan / Kosher food ( Kashrus standard) as well as touring information. Thanks

Bump

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1134 on: August 01, 2022, 10:54:06 PM »
Bump
Doesn't look like it. What don't you contact the restaurants that existed before COVID and ask them?

Offline Zalc

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Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1135 on: August 02, 2022, 12:15:45 AM »
Has anyone been to Madrid since covid. Have a 10 hour stopover iyh. Wanted some info on Minyan / Kosher food ( Kashrus standard) as well as touring information. Thanks
I was there for a 1 day stopover recently.

All 3 restaurants listed on the chabad website are still open as is the kosher store.

The pizza shop has the best hechsher, and the food is good.
The other 2 only have a local hechsher while the pizza also has French Beis Din (see attached)

Don’t know about the minyan, but the chabad site lists it.

If you don’t care for art or museums, Retiro Park is really cool, especially the Peacock Garden.

Uber works great to get around.


Offline LFR

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1137 on: August 02, 2022, 06:58:05 PM »
I was there for a 1 day stopover recently.

All 3 restaurants listed on the chabad website are still open as is the kosher store.

The pizza shop has the best hechsher, and the food is good.
The other 2 only have a local hechsher while the pizza also has French Beis Din (see attached)

Don’t know about the minyan, but the chabad site lists it.

If you don’t care for art or museums, Retiro Park is really cool, especially the Peacock Garden.

Uber works great to get around.



Thanks so much.

Offline Issacrose

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1138 on: August 04, 2022, 11:41:46 PM »
Can anyone help me locate the number/email to tour guide in Toledo/Madrid? Thanks.

Online jj1000

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Re: Spain Master Thread
« Reply #1139 on: August 05, 2022, 07:36:01 AM »
Can anyone help me locate the number/email to tour guide in Toledo/Madrid? Thanks.
Do you have direct contact info for either of them?
The websites only have contact forms, those are often unreliable.
Irene +34 667 71 92 73

This is who Asher Bentolila reccomends now as he moved to Africa. But maybe he'll move back one day?

Asher +34 609 65 22 45

For Madrid he recommended Hanna +34 604 23 76 91
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