This year, Rocco Forte Hotels is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering immersive experiences inspired by the cities their properties call home. The group is offering a “European Grand Tour” so guests can interact with local artisanal talent while enjoying the best that each city has to offer.
Villa Igiea in Palermo, Italy has curated an artistic guide to the city through the lens of the aristocratic Florio family, who originally transformed the private estate into a luxury hotel at the start of the 20th century. Guests will discover the history of Palermo through a city-wide tour, including a private tour of the 300-year-old Palazzo Gangi. At the end of the architectural adventure, guests will be greeted with dinner in the hotel’s Louis XVI Hall, named in honor of the Florio family.
Verdura Resort in Sicily has curated a golfing experience. Guests will be welcomed with a personalized gift bag filled with golf equipment. They will also experience a training session with the resort’s PGA coach and enjoy a three-course lunch. They can enjoy treatments at the Irene Forte Spa or stay in one of the private villas.
Guests staying at Hotel de la Ville in Rome can embark on a two-hour guided tour through the dark streets of Rome’s heretics, traitors and ghosts. Crossing through the Sant’Angelo bridge, travelers will learn about Mastro Titta, the official executioner for the Papal States and travel back to the taverns where Caravaggio brawled in the streets and created endless stories still talked about in the modern day.
Masseria Torre Maizza has curated a journey through Puglia on a plate. At the Grandmother’s Table, guests will enjoy a Sunday lunch with Apulian dishes hosted by local mothers and grandmothers. Guests will also have access to the hotel’s nine-hole golf course, private beach club and Irene Forte Spa.
The Balmoral is offering a curated “Scottish Gold” experience in Edinburgh. Guests will have exclusive access to Edinburgh’s jewelers and private access to The Balmoral’s rooftop to view the Clock Tower. The experience begins with a behind-the-scenes visit to Hamilton & Inches, the designers behind Edinburgh’s iconic Balmoral clock. Later, guests can enjoy a whiskey tasting at the Balmoral’s cozy bar, Scotch.
Brown’s Hotel, known as the very first hotel in London, is a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. Brown’s has curated a regal experience where guests can enjoy a curated class with one of the Royal Family’s portrait artists. Guests will also have a chance to sit down for their own personal portrait.
The Charles Hotel in Munich has curated a private night at the museum. Once the doors to the Lenbachhaus museum have closed for the day, contemporary art treasures are exclusively available to guests. The experience is followed by an exclusive dinner among well-known art pieces.
Located on Bebelplatz, Hotel de Rome in Berlin is providing a behind-the-scenes experience at the State Opera, which finishes with champagne and canapes in the Meyerbeer salon. Guests will get exclusive access to this space, usually only accessed by the director of the opera.
Located in the heart of Brussels, Hotel Amigo is offering a curated experience that allows guests to learn about bespoke jewelry from a certified gemologist and private jeweler. As a parting gift, guests will be given a precious stone of their choice. They can even commission a piece of jewelry as a keepsake.
Guests can book individual hotel experiences or opt to fully immerse in the “European Grand Tour”. They can select up to five Rocco Forte Hotels and enhance their itinerary with one or more of the curated experiences.
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