Rocco Forte Hotels celebrate the Eternal City

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.