Giant Steps

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.