Hotel De Russie and Hotel De La Ville Launch
Unexpected Jubilee Journeys
The Rome properties of Rocco Forte Hotels celebrate the Eternal City with a curated series of very special experiences designed by Imago Artis Travel exclusively for guests of Hotel de Russie and Hotel de La Ville. These immersive journeys offer a fresh perspective on the city of Rome and its historical landmarks, with a special focus on both the sacred and the secular during the Jubilee year. Led by expert Roman insiders, these unique tours grant private access to sites typically closed to the public, unveiling hidden treasures throughout the city.
Rome:
Echoes of Eternity in Roman Basilicas| Taking in the sacred architecture of Rome, this unique trip explores some of the city's most iconic landmarks and its revered Papal Basilicas. The basilicas showcase a distinct architectural style and uphold timeless traditions, each with a Holy Door symbolising a sacred passage. The experience begins at the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second largest basilica in Rome after St Peter's. Guests will also visit San Giovanni in Laterano – the oldest of Rome's basilicas – designed by Francesco Borromini, a leading figure in Roman Baroque architecture. The tour ends with the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where guests will have the rare opportunity to have a private tour of the Loggia and Bernini Staircase The experience also includes private access to the basilica's domes and terraces, which offer magnificent city views.
Capturing St. Peter's - Walking Tour and Art Class on a Private Terrace| Celebrate one of Rome's most famous landmarks, with a walking tour that begins in the recently renovated Piazza Pia, a pedestrian square, symbol of the Jubilee, connecting Castel Sant'Angelo to St Peter's Basilica. Led by a private guide, guests will cross the Tiber and make their way through the historical core of the city towards the Vatican. They will then be invited into a noble Roman palazzo, for a plein air painting class set on a private terrace with wonderful uninterrupted views of St Peter's Basilica.
Lazio:
Retreat for the Senses in Castelli Romani | This day trip takes in the remarkable landscapes that lie South of Rome in the Castelli Romani, an area of rolling vineyard landscapes where the art of wine making traces its roots to the Roman Empire. The experience includes a tour and wine tasting at a local vineyard, where wines are paired with edible flowers such as dahlias, begonias and exotic blooms, offering a one-of-a-kind tasting experience. The trip includes a visit to the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, where guests will have the rare opportunity to tour the Palace's private apartments and visiting the Papal Gardens.
Palaces of Tuscia - Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola and Viterbo |Perfect for a day trip, the Tuscia countryside offers gentle hills, lakes and delightful hamlets dating back to Etruscan times. The tour starts in the town of Caprarola with a visit to the Palazzo Farnese, symbol of one of the Renaissance's most influential noble families. Shaped like a pentagon, the Palace has a striking hillside location and houses several grand halls, italianate gardens framed by fountains, a hunting lodge, and a magnificent cycle of Mannerist frescoes. The visit will be followed by a walking tour of Viterbo, a medieval town known as the 'City of Popes'. Viterbo served as the papal seat during the 13th century, as evidenced by the imposing Palace of the Popes, with its grand architecture and striking courtyard.
Hotel de Russie | Hotel de Russie is the legendary Roman jewel of the Rocco Forte Hotel group, situated along the elegant Via del Babuino between two of Rome's most famous piazzas, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo. At the foot of the Pincio hill and mere steps from the picturesque Via Margutta, Hotel de Russie boasts an incomparably central position both for visiting the city's most important sites and for shopping. The history of Hotel de Russie dates back to the beginning of the 19th century when the project for its construction was entrusted to the architect Giuseppe Valadier. Then an aristocratic palace, it featured an Italian-style garden divided into terraces, which is now frequented as the hotel's famous Secret Garden. Regular visits by representatives of the Russian Imperial Household, as well as numerous Russian intellectuals and Romantic painters, gave the Hotel de Russie its name. Over time, the Hotel consolidated its reputation on the international artistic and cultural scene, hosting such exponents as the painter Giacomo Frey; the sculptor John Gibson, a pupil of Canova; Sergei Diaghilev; Vaslav Nijinsky; Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso. In 2000, the renovation of the interior of the historic building was entrusted to architect Tommaso Ziffer and carried out in collaboration with Olga Polizzi, Design Director of Rocco Forte Hotels. The result is an eclectic interior that uniquely fuses the historic and the modern, where contemporary style blends perfectly with the building's classic architecture.
Hotel de la Ville | Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte hotel, is set in an 18th-century palazzo atop the Spanish Steps in the heart of the Eternal City. Featuring 104 elegant rooms and suites, the design by Tommaso Ziffer in collaboration with Olga Polizzi celebrates the Grand Tour era. The hotel offers stunning views, exceptional service, and a variety of dining experiences, including Cielo Restaurant and Bar, Mosaico, Julep Bar, and Café Ginori which sits alongside its flagship boutique. The state-of-the-art Irene Forte Spa is one of Rome's top wellness destinations.
Imago Artis Travel |Founded in 2008 in Rome, Imago Artis Travel is a niche experience provider operating in the luxury travel industry with a personal touch, and offering selected customers tailor-made itineraries to discover Italian art, culture, and excellence. With offerings embracing the whole of Italy – including iconic destinations, heritage and landmarks, top museums, culinary & artisan world, as well as hidden gems and sites closed to the public – Imago Artis aims to transform the very concept of luxury, leveraging the emotional and entertaining elements of the experiences. A brilliant team of destination specialists is able to provide a comprehensive trip proposal, including accommodations at the most prestigious hotels and resorts and transportation throughout the country.
