Discover Italy with Rocco Forte hotels

Italians believe in familial etiquette, respect and tradition. These three traits shine clearly through in the Rocco Forte hotels throughout the country. A family with flair, the Forte generations pride themselves on blending their hotels seamlessly with their environment – whether that be city centre culture or countryside chic. Luxury and modernity abound within the boundaries of classical Italian architecture. Every hotel is within striking distance of a historical highlight or exciting experience. Choose to stay in one of their carefully and cleverly designed pensione and enjoy la bella vita.

Verdura Resort, Sicily

Sciacca in southern Sicily is best known for its thermal waters, seafood and wine. A lesser known tourist spot, the area still has many attractions to keep you entertained on your holiday. As the second largest wine-producing region in Italy, there’ll be plenty of tipples on offer, and the Planeta Winery, just a short drive from the hotel, is well worth a visit. If you fancy enhancing your culinary skills, cooking classes will equip you with the wherewithal to whip up a tasty regional speciality on your return home. Culture vultures will enjoy a trip to Agrigento, home to the Valley of the Temples, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Sicily. 

The super stylish spa and golf resort of Verdura, west of the baroque town of Sciacca, offers uninterrupted views of the glistening azure Med from virtually every vantage point. With golf, football and tennis academies on site, water sports aplenty and complimentary bikes for exploring the resort, there’s loads to keep even the most active visitor entertained. The indoor pool and state of the art gym are there for the asking, while if it’s rest and relaxation you’re looking for, the spa offers serenity and indulgence galore.

Hotel de Russie, Rome

The Eternal city is a classical trip with good reason. It has so many corners and cultural highlights to explore that the list is almost never ending. There are visits to the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City with of course St Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. If you can bear to leave the city, the historical and geographical stories of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius are well worth the trip.

History abounds here – whether it is in what you see, do or eat, or even where you sleep. Modernly designed within classical architecture, the Hotel de Russie is brilliantly situated in the heart of Rome, affording easy access to all of the city’s best spots. Celebrities, artists and nobles alike have chosen this exclusive hotel for its location but also its privacy and intimacy. Escape from the bustle of the Italian streets into the ‘Secret Garden’ or in high season, enjoy a drink outside in the open air Stravinskij Bar. For a nature fix in a capital city, you are a stone’s throw from the WWF Butterfly Oasis in Piazza del Popolo or to fix your body and mind, opt for a visit to the Wellness Zone with marine hydropool, sauna, Turkish steam bath, treatments and gym.

Hotel Savoy, Florence

Any trip to Italy encompasses culture, cuisine and conviviality. Perhaps nowhere more so than in historic Florence. The capital of beautiful Tuscany, Florence’s past talks of great wealth and trade, powerful dynasty rule, art revolution and fashion innovation. Recognised and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the centre of the city welcomes tourists to its museums and monuments such as the San Lorenzo church and the Palazzo Pitti.

Combining all of the elements which frame Florence’s past is the Hotel Savoy – a stay here takes you to the city’s past, in its stylish and luxurious present. The minimalist furnishings and décor are designed by Olga Polizzi – in keeping with the town’s championing of creativity and culture – and add a modern touch to the majestic architecture of the exterior building.

This is the perfect base to explore Florence on foot with the Duomo nearby and the Uffuzi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio a short walk away.