Hermitage Hotel

Rabbi Yossy Goldman

Rabbi Yossi Goldman was appointed Rav and Spiritual Leader of the Sydenham Shul of Johannesburg, South Africa in September 1986 and is the Shul’s longest-serving Rabbi since it was established in 1943. He is today Life Rabbi Emeritus of this iconic Congregation described by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks as “one of the great Synagogues of the English-speaking world.”

He is President of the South African Rabbinical Association and is a member of the Board of The Torah Academy Schools.

His first book, From Where I Stand, life messages from the weekly Torah reading, was published by KTAV in 2012 and was lauded by such luminaries as Chief Rabbi YM Lau, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Dr Abraham Twerski.  Indeed, his sermons are considered among the finest in the Jewish world and are being translated into Hebrew, Spanish, Russian, and German and other languages. He has been a Parsha columnist on Chabad.org and is currently a weekly contributor to The Pulpit on Jewish News Syndicate (JNS).

A popular public speaker with an endearing sense of humor, he has delivered many important addresses around the world and often represents the Jewish faith on radio and television. He produced and hosted South Africa’s only Jewish radio programme, The Jewish Sound, between 1976 and 2000. In November 2021, Rabbi and Rochel were honoured to receive the coveted Community Service Award at the prestigious South African Jewish Achievers event.

Since becoming Rabbi Emeritus, the Goldmans have travelled and given talks in dozens of cities across North and Central America, Europe, and Israel.

Rabbi and Rochel are the proud parents and grandparents of a large family and are particularly proud that their children are serving Jewish communities in South Africa and around the world.

ROCHEL GOLDMAN

Rochel grew up and was educated through high school in Cleveland, Ohio. She furthered her studies in Seminaries in New York and France, obtaining a degree in teaching.

She has been in South Africa since March 1976. She was a popular High School teacher at Yeshiva College and Torah Academy for many years.

Since 1986, she has been an inspirational Rebbetzin with her husband, Rabbi Yossy Goldman, leading the Sydenham Highlands North Shul, Johannesburg’s largest and most vibrant congregation.

In 1999, Rochel founded “Women of the World” (WoW), a highly successful organisation which inspires Jewish women, promotes education and a positive South Africa. Her achievements in developing WoW and its success in becoming a positive force in the community have highlighted Rochel’s qualities of leadership, bold initiative, and unwavering determination.

Rochel has taught brides, counseled on relationships, given many talks on a wide variety of subjects including Marriage, Parenting, and Kabbalah. She has organized many diverse program for women’s groups. She has done many cookery demos and has taught thousands of Jewish women how to bake Challah.

She has delivered inspirational talks and lectures in the USA, Israel, South America, Europe, and around the world.

As the proud mother of a large family, juggling her many tasks as ably as she does has made Rochel an inspirational role model for every woman who has made her acquaintance.

The group will be divided into two groups, the first will go on board of our Caique; we will discover the deep gulf that connects Lerici, a medieval village dominated by the Castle of San Giorgio, and Portovenere, which today is called the Gulf of the Poets because in past centuries these marvellous medieval villages were source of inspiration for poets, novelists, painters, and journalists such as Byron, Percy and Mary Shelley, Virginia Wolf…..

Afterwards we will head towards the archipelago which involves the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto; these islands are included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Then we will return to Portovenere, coasting the oldest and most spectacular part of the village, the splendid Church of San Pietro, built in the 13th century, which frames the evocative Grotta di Byron.

At the same time the second group (10.00 am – 1.00 pm) will explore the characteristic village of Portovenere, with its typical colourful tower houses, with a local guide. In addition, we will visit Palazzata a mare, Porta del Borgo and the historic centre, Doria Castle and Byron’s Grotto.

Packed Lunch

In the afternoon the groups will be switched (2:00 pm – 5:30 pm)
Return at about 5:30 pm and arrival at the hotel at about 6:30 pm.

 MORNING

• Cathedral of S.Maria Novella
• Cathedral of Lorenzo
• Medici Palace
• David
• Duomo
• Brunelleschi’s Dome
• Opera of Duomo of Florence’s Museum
• Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Florence
• Strozzi Palace
• Old Palace
• Signoria’ Square
• Old Bridge

Packed lunch

 AFTERNOON

• Uffizi Gallery
• Brancacci’s Chapel
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Croce’ Square
• Boboli Garden
• San Miniato al Monte

Return at 4:30 pm and arrival at the hotel at about 6:15 pm.

On board of a comfortable GT coach, we will travel the road that winds like a snake to the top of the mountain and reach the heart of the marble basins.

We will visit a closed quarry that is still active; during the tour, the immense rooms of the “Cathedral of Marble” will be shown and there will be given information regarding the birth of the tunnel quarry, the machinery and its uses, the extraction techniques and, of course, information about marble as a material used in various fields. It will also be possible to admire Ozmo’s Mural re-enacting Michelangelo’s Genesis. At the end of the closed quarry tour, it will be possible to visit the open-air Marble Museum.

Afterwards it would be possible to have a nice walk around the tiny streets of the peculiar village of Colonnata.

MORNING TOUR
Meeting point 8:45 am and departure 9:00 am.
Arrival in Carrara expected at about 9:30 am (About 30 min of travel). Return to the hotel at 1:00 pm.

AFTERNOON TOUR
Meeting point 1:45 pm and departure 2 pm.
Arrival in Carrara expected at about 2:30 pm (About 30 min of travel). Return to hotel at 6 pm.

MORNING SAN GIMIGNANO (1h/1:30h of visit)

• Agostino Church
• Rocca Montestaffoli
• Collegiata of S.Maria Assunta
• Duomo Square
• Towers
• Gagliardi Gallery
• Panoramic view

Departure to Siena at 11:30 am and arrival at about 12:30 am. (About 1h of travel)

Packed Lunch

 AFTERNOON SIENA

• Piazza del Campo
• Bothanical garden
• Panoramic view
• Towers
• Fortezza Medicea
• National Pinacoteca
• Piazza del Duomo
• Sinagogue
• Vestri Palace
• Libreria Piccolomini (Duomo)

Return at 4:30 pm and arrival at the hotel at about 7:00 pm.

Meeting point at 9:15 am and departure at 9:30 am. Transfer to Forte dei Marmi station and departure by train.
Arrival to the first village expected at about 10:30 am (About 1h travel).

Our local guide will accompany you to the heart of the Cinque Terre:
Monterosso, the biggest of the five villages, the only one with a beautiful fine sandy beach. Vernazza, the most beautiful and characteristic, with a pretty little port and a charming church in front of the small bay.
Riomaggiore, with its typical tower houses.
Manarola, the oldest of the villages where the colorful facades of the houses stand out against the black rocks on which they stand.
Corniglia, the only one that has no direct access to the sea but gives the most spectacular view
of the coast.
It will be pleasant to walk through the five villages and listen to the anecdotes and curiosities of this area now known worldwide for its priceless beauty.

Packed lunch
Return at 5:00 pm and arrival at the hotel at about 7:00 pm.

Packed lunch
Departure to Pisa at 1:00 pm and arrival expected at about 1:45 pm (About 40 mins of travel).

 AFTERNOON PISA (4h)

Return at 6:00 pm and arrival at the hotel at about 6:45 pm (About 40 mins of travel)

Pick up at the hotel with a 4×4 jeep which will take you on a discovery tour around the the most famous marble basins: Fantiscritti, Miseglia and Torano.

The adventure will start from the moment you step on the Land Rover Defender. Several Stops for taking pictures are planned along the way to admire the wonderful views offered by the quarries; the jeep tour will reach 1000 meters above sea level.

The history and techniques of extraction and transporting marble, from the Romans to nowadays, will be explained. The guide will tell you fascinating anecdotes about the Marble Civilization: because the world of the white treasure is not only about the extraction or the processing of stones, but includes the very history of the territory and its people, who have always been a synonym of marble.

Three hours of discovering in this magical place where Michelangelo found the block that gave birth to his famous Pietà.

Afterwards it will be possible to take a walk through the small streets of the tiny village of Colonnata.

End of the activity at about 1:30 pm.

We will start with a moderate sailing trip heading toward Monte Marcello and the first picturesque bays in the area.

Then we will pass by Lerici, a medieval village dominated by the Castle of San Giorgio.

Afterwards we will discover the archipelago consisting of the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto; these islands have been included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The final destination will be Portovenere; the boat will stop in front of the oldest and most spectacular part of the village, the splendid Church of San Pietro, built in the 13th century.

The deep gulf that connects Lerici and Portovenere is now called the Gulf of the Poets, because in past centuries these wonderful medieval villages were a source of inspiration for poets, novelists, painters, and journalists such as Byron, Percy and Mary Shelley, and Virginia Wolf….

Stops for swimming, a dip in the sea or simply relax sunbathing are available during the sailing.

Packed lunch

Disembarkation expected at about 5:00 pm. Return to the hotel by private transfer.

Our fleet consists of yachts of different sizes and comfort, ask for a customized offer:

RIO 950 CRUISER, 11 METERS
Maximum 8 guests
€1,800

RIZZARDI 48, 16 METERS
Maximum 10 guests
€2,900

Where shopping and beauty meet. The exclusive luxury mall in the heart of Tuscany!

sacrificing the highest quality. The perfect mix of elegance and contemporary style makes The Mall Florence a “must visit,” and a unique place that makes you fall in love and wish to come back.
You will have the opportunity to visit the Boutiques of the most prestigious Italian fashion brands: Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, Valentino, Tod’s, Fendi, Dior, and many others…

Return to hotel at 4:30 pm. Arrival expected at about 6 pm. Private car for max 7 people €750

Hardly any other car has become more iconic as the Cinquecento: it is an undeniable symbol of Italy. It represents the Italian style, the dolce vita, the “daughter” of the economic miracle and, despite its age, its charm remains the same. With us, you can rent this classic Italian city car that will take you to the discovery of the Tuscan landscapes, surrounded by the Lucca countryside. Our car fleet made of vintage Fiat 500s, totally restored and maintained with attention to the smallest detail, is available for rent.

Tour “Lucca Country & Montecarlo”

Meeting with your expert guide and sit behind the wheel of a vintage Fiat 500, travel back in time!!

You will leave from Lucca and arrive at the village of Montecarlo di Lucca. It will be a very suggestive itinerary surrounded by olive trees and picturesque vineyards. You will leave from Lucca and you will drive through the countryside of Lucca reaching as first stop the village of Sant’Andrea di Compito, known as the village of the Camellias. After a short stop at the famous “Garden of the Camellias” in Italy, you will leave for Montecarlo, a picturesque medieval village beautifully preserved. Born around 1933 at the behest of Emperor Charles IV, as a fortified outpost in defense of Lucca from the Florentine army. Today this beautiful village is the scene of culture, history and a very interesting food and wine tradition! It is here that you will stop to visit this enchanted village.

End of tour at about 1:30 pm

Return to the hotel at about 2:15 pm

Cost for private “Lucca Country & Montecarlo Tour”

1 private minivan with driver for transfer from hotel to Lucca city and back

1 Fiat 500 with expert guide to accompany the group 1 Fiat 500 for 2 guest including fuel and insurance

€750

Extra Fiat 500 car for 2 guests €320