In the heart of the Eternal City, Rocco Forte Hotels’ celebrated Roman addresses — Hotel de Russie and Hotel de la Ville — are offering guests a rare and exquisite gateway into Rome’s most sacred and storied sites. In collaboration with the distinguished Imago Artis Travel, a series of immersive journeys have been curated exclusively for hotel guests, timed to coincide with Rome’s Jubilee celebrations. These bespoke experiences promise unparalleled access to the capital’s most revered monuments, many of which remain closed to the public, offering an intimate and deeply enriching perspective on both the sacred and secular heart of the city.
Echoes of Eternity: A Pilgrimage Through Rome’s Papal Basilicas
One of the flagship experiences, Echoes of Eternity in Roman Basilicas, invites guests to trace the spiritual and architectural grandeur of the city through its four Papal Basilicas, each a beacon of Christian tradition. The journey begins at the awe-inspiring Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest basilica after St. Peter’s. From there, guests proceed to San Giovanni in Laterano — the oldest of the four — where the Baroque mastery of Francesco Borromini can be admired. The tour culminates at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, offering privileged private access to the Loggia, Bernini’s celebrated staircase, and panoramic views of Rome from the basilica’s domes and terraces — an experience typically reserved for the few.
Capturing St Peter’s: Art and Inspiration Above the Eternal City
For those drawn to Rome’s artistic soul, Capturing St. Peter’s pairs a private walking tour with a plein air painting class. Guests will stroll from the newly restored Piazza Pia — symbol of the Jubilee and linking Castel Sant’Angelo to St. Peter’s — across the Tiber, accompanied by a private guide who will weave history into the very streets of the city. The experience culminates in an exclusive invitation to a noble Roman palazzo, where guests will paint with a view few ever witness: an uninterrupted, breathtaking panorama of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Beyond the City: Discovering Lazio’s Hidden Treasures
The curated experiences also invite exploration beyond the city walls, revealing Lazio’s bucolic landscapes and aristocratic heritage.
In Retreat for the Senses in Castelli Romani, guests are transported south to the verdant hills where vineyards flourish on ancient volcanic soil. Here, a private vineyard visit includes a tasting where rare wines are paired with edible flowers — a sensorial journey that is both refined and surprising. The excursion also offers private access to the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, including a tour of the secluded papal apartments and the serene Papal Gardens.
Meanwhile, Palaces of Tuscia charts a path northward to the Renaissance splendour of Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola. Perched on a hilltop and designed with an arresting pentagonal layout, the palace is a triumph of Mannerist architecture, home to grand halls, frescoes, and exquisite Italianate gardens. The day concludes in the medieval gem of Viterbo — known as the ‘City of Popes’ — where the echoes of its papal past can still be felt among its ancient courtyards and grandiose palaces.
The Roman Icons: Hotel de Russie and Hotel de la Ville
These remarkable experiences are framed by two of the city’s most distinguished hotels.
Hotel de Russie, a timeless icon nestled between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, is an oasis of elegance and tranquillity. Designed by Giuseppe Valadier and set against the backdrop of the Pincian Hill, its famed Secret Garden — once an aristocratic retreat — remains a sanctuary within the city. A beloved haunt of Russian aristocrats, Romantic painters, and luminaries such as Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, Hotel de Russie today embodies an eclectic fusion of heritage and contemporary sophistication, thanks to its sensitive restoration by architect Tommaso Ziffer and Rocco Forte Hotels’ design director Olga Polizzi.
Hotel de la Ville, perched atop the Spanish Steps in an 18th-century palazzo, brings the spirit of the Grand Tour to life. With interiors also shaped by Tommaso Ziffer and Olga Polizzi, the hotel blends classical elegance with vibrant modern touches. Home to 104 meticulously designed rooms and suites, panoramic terraces, and culinary destinations such as Cielo and Mosaico, Hotel de la Ville is also a haven for wellness at the acclaimed Irene Forte Spa, a sanctuary of restorative treatments in the heart of Rome.
Imago Artis Travel: Curators of the Extraordinary
Bringing these journeys to life is Imago Artis Travel, Rome’s boutique luxury travel curator. Founded in 2008, the company specialises in crafting tailor-made Italian itineraries that illuminate the country’s artistic, cultural, and culinary treasures. With a focus on access to rare sites and experiences closed to the general public, Imago Artis redefines the concept of luxury travel, weaving emotion, discovery, and authenticity into each bespoke journey.
