Giant Steps

Cycling in Andalucia Southern Spain. Day’s 6 and 7, Sevilla & Cordoba

Day 7 : Visit La Giralda, La Cathedral de Sevilla, Europe’s largest Gothic Cathedral and Reales Alcazares, the royal residence from 1364. Lunch on the banks of the Guadalquivir overlooking the ‘Paseo Colon.’ Horse and Carriage ride along the Avenida Palmeras, Plaza de Espana and Parque De Maria Luisa. Afternoon and evening free to shop, explore and dine in one of Sevilla’s many “Tapas Bars.”

Day 8 : Transfer to Caliphate Cordoba, the Spanish capital from the 8th- 11th century and the birthplace of the incomparable Maimonides. Guided tour of the Juderia, where little has changed over the centuries, including it’s narrow cobbled streets, secluded niches and tiny workshops. Visit the historic synagogue and statue of Maimonides. Explore the 5th wonder of the world, La Mezquita., an extraordinary combination of art, architecture and science from the 8th century. Lunch in Cordoba. Afternoon free to wander Cordoba’s old city and discover her famous hidden garden patios. Return to Seville. Dinner and farewell celebrations.

Cycling in Andalucia Southern Spain Antequera, Ronda, Grazalema

Antequera - Transfer to Alhama de Granada via Lake Bermejales. Short guided tour of Alhama and the monuments with views of ancient mill workings and Moorish irrigation systems from 12th century. Cycle to Villanueva del Trabuco via Ventas de Zafarraya and Puerto de los Alazores. Transfer to Antequera. Visit monuments of this typical Andalucia city. Evening at the Parador of Antequera.

Antequera to Ronda - Ride from El Torcal National Park to Guadalhorce lakes and forests. Lunch in Ardales Nature Park with wonderful views of the lake. Continue to Ardales via the El Chorro gorge. Arrive to the “Goyesca” and historical city of Ronda. Guided tour of one of Andalucia’s most picturesque towns.

Ronda to Grazalema - Cycle from Ronda, the capital of the White Hill-Top towns of Andalucia, to enchanting Grazalema. Pedal through pristine forests in this natural wonderland. Buffet picnic lunch on route. Arrive in Grazalema and enjoy a visit to a original wool mill and guided tour of this charming village.

Cycling in Andalucia Southern Spain Day 1 Granada

The Jewish community of Spain (Sefarad) was one of the most unique and important in the Middle Ages, and occupies an outstanding place in Jewish history. Historical Cycling International invites you to join us on a exiting journey through Southern Spain (Andalucia) where over several centuries developed a Jewish culture that attained the highest pinnacles of creativity and was the most remarkable in the world at the time. We will explore the beautiful cities of Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba, flourishing centers in the Middle Ages of Arab, Christain and Jewish co-existence, and the cradle of what has been called the Golden Age of Spanish Judaism. We will cycle through unspoiled countryside and explore the exquisite and famous white hill-top towns of Andalucia; including Ronda, Grazalema and Arcos de la Frontera. We will stay at many of Andalucia’s most beautiful lodgings, including her Paradores, a unique hotel network of international prestige and great tradition and famous for their historical-artistic value and magnificent natural landscapes.

Granada - Afternoon rendezvous at the 4 star Alhambra Palace Hotel in Granada. Lecture of Jewish cultural history in Granada and Andalucia and visit to the “La Juderia”, the old Jewish quarter. Walking tour of the sites of the famous Spanish poet and writer Garcia Lorca in Old Grenada, Albaicin and Paseo de las Tristes. Welcome dinner in the city of Granada.
Walking tour of the second wonder of the world, La Alhambra; and guided visit of the Royal gardens of El Generalife, the military Alcazaba, Los Reales Palacios Nazaries and the Renaissance Palace of King Charles V. Lunch at the Parador in La Alhambra. Afternoon bike ride in the Sierra Nevada National Park. 30 km downhill ride on the old ‘Alpine’ road through pine forests to the Genil Valley. Dinner at our favorite restaurant in Granada.

Cycling in Tuscany Italy Pienza, Montichiello, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d’Orcia, Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana

Pienza, Montichiello, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d’Orcia - Ride through the sleepy hilltop villages of Trequanda, Montisi, and Castelmuzio. Stop and explore the Chiesa di S. Anna, made famous in the movie “The English Patient.” Our home for the next three nights is the resplendent Il Chiostro di Pienza. Once a 15th century convent, the hotel offers incredible views of the Val d’Orcia. Bicycle through gently winding roads to Montichiello, a charming hilltop village overlooking the timeless beauty of the Val d’Orcia. Continue to Bagno Vignoni, a famous medieval spa town where we will soak our feet in the warm thermal waters. Continue north to the sleepy town of San Quirico d’Orcia. In the evening we will continue to enjoy some excellent regional wines - Chianti Classico, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana - An unforgettable walking tour of Pitigliano and Sorano reveals once vibrant and flourishing Jewish communities. We will meet with Riccardo Pivirotto, Director of Archeology and visit the newly restored synagogue, ancient Jewish cemetery, ghetto bakery (where they still make matzo!) and a local fattoria where we can purchase a local outstanding kosher wine. In Sorano we will visit the smaller, but equally fascinating Jewish ghetto area. It promises to be an unforgettable experience, a time of reflection, understanding and spiritual awakening.

Cycling in Tuscany Italy Days 2 to 4 Siena, Lucignano and Monte San Savino

Siena - Enjoy a spectacular morning ride to Siena, Italy’s best-preserved Medieval city and famous for its magnificent artistic heritage. We will enjoy a guided tour of the ghetto site and the beautiful synagogue, the only Italian synagogue in use dating before Napoleon. Spend the afternoon exploring art museums, visit the 13th century Duomo, shop Siena’s elegant boutiques or sip cappuccino in the Piazza del Campo.

Lucignano and Monte San Savino - In the morning we’ll pedal southeast from Siena through some of the most graceful rolling hills in Tuscany. Arrive in Asciano for a mid-day lunch. Our afternoon ride will take us to Casa Bianca, our home for the next two nights. Perched secluded on a hilltop, the tiny hamlet of Casa Bianca will offer a delightful stay with magnificent vistas of the surrounding countryside.The following day cycle via the hilltop town of Lucignano to Monte San Savino and meet with Renato Giulietti from the comune, or town hall. Explore the fashionable ghetto area and abandoned synagogue. Wander the back streets of centuries old Lucignano; beautifully created in concentric circles. Our leisurely ride through this very quiet and unspoiled part of Tuscany will bring us back to Casa Bianca to relax by the hotels swimming pool. Rendezvous in the dinning room for a wonderful meal inspired by the hotel’s Tuscan country kitchen.

Cycling in Tuscany Italy Day 1 Florence

Tuscany is a symphony of colors, sounds and splendor - a magical place for bicycling. The region is also the home to a rich Jewish history that spans over 700 years. Join HCI as we cycle past charming medieval villages and discover an incredible history, architecture, wealth of art and markets of delicious abundance. We will ride slowly to smell the fragrances and to marvel at the colors of the seasons; lush greens and bright reds dominate the spring with young wheat fields and wild poppies; endless days of sunshine and azure blue skies welcome the warm summer months; a collage of autumn colors decorates the trees and vineyards while cooler, crisp air hint that winter is on the way. Tuscan meals are linked to the seasons and dining here is a divine pleasure. Our lodgings include some of Tuscany’s most unique and luxurious Renaissance villas, medieval hamlets and historic castles.

Florence, Monteriggioni - Our adventure begins in the morning with a guided tour of the beautiful Florence synagogue. We will discuss Florentine Jewish history and learn about the present day community. We will also visit the Jewish museum, home to the community’s most significant ritual objects. Leaving the contemporary world behind we travel together to the tiny, enchanting village of Monteriggioni, where we’ll be fitted for our bicycles and pedal into the Italian countryside. We’ll be warmly welcomed our first evening by Sig. Gigi at the four-star Hotel Monteriggioni. The hotel offers discreet, luxurious accommodations in an unforgettable Tuscan setting. We dine this evening at “Il Pozzo,” our favorite, regionally acclaimed restaurant.