Exclusive European Winter Offers From The Rocco Forte Collection

Banish the January blues with a luxurious winter break with The Rocco Forte Collection.  Guests booking a three-night stay between 18 December 2009 and 1 March 2010 can enjoy up to a third off.

Each of the 12 elegant and contemporary city centre properties in The Rocco Forte Collection, renowned for reflecting their location and providing the highest quality customer service, will offer visitors savings of up to thirty three per cent throughout the winter.   Many of Europe’s cities look especially beautiful during the winter months with a light dusting of snow underfoot and fewer people crowding the streets giving visitors the freedom to roam at will and enjoy the many rich cultural attractions in comfort.

Whether you are after a cosy romantic break à deux, a cultural escape or the chance to spend some quality time with your family, there is plenty going on in Europe this winter to suit all tastes.  If you are simply looking for the chance to relax and unwind after the festive party season, take advantage of the indulgent spa treatments on offer at many of the hotels in The Collection.

European Winter Offers price examples:

• The Balmoral, Edinburgh starts from €432 for 3 nights in an executive room including breakfast, representing a saving of 33% 
• Hotel Savoy, Florence starts from €843 for 3 nights in an executive double room including breakfast, representing a saving of 33%
• The Augustine, Prague starts from €1,410 for 3 nights in a junior suite including breakfast, representing a saving of 33%
• Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg starts from €959 for 3 nights in a classic room including breakfast, representing a saving of 33%

For further information or to book a winter break, please call 00 800 7666 6667 or visit www.roccofortecollection.com

-ends-

European winter highlights include:

• Each year between 5-16 February, Prague hosts the city’s Bohemian Carnival which dates back to the eighteenth century.  Divided into four sections, the programme includes evening parties, art shows, food events and a spectacular street event with lanterns and masks. www.carnevale.cz  Stay at the recently opened, The Augustine, located in the heart of the city between The Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
• On January 31 2010 Berlin plays host to The Long Night of the Museums.  This follows a long established tradition where the city’s many museums and galleries open their doors until late into the evening.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours and special events. Stay at the historic Hotel de Rome, housed in the former headquarters of the Dresdner Bank, situated on the Bebelplatz.
• The International Mariinsky ballet festival taking place in mid February 2010 is a highlight of the St. Petersburg calendar and is now in its tenth year.   The festival brings the world’s best ballet stars to St. Petersburg to perform on stage at the stunning Mariinsky Theatre.  The concierge at Hotel Astoria can help guests to buy the much sought after tickets for the ballet and can also arrange private behind-the-scenes tours of The Mariinsky Theatre.  www.mariinsky.com
• The Royal Academy of Art in London is staging a landmark exhibition of the work of Vincent van Gogh from 23 January to 18 April 2010. The focus of the exhibition will be the artist’s remarkable correspondence. Over 35 original letters, rarely exhibited to the public due to their fragility, will be on display, together with around 65 paintings and 30 drawings that express the principal themes to be found within the correspondence. www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/vangogh/  Brown’s Hotel is located just across the road from The Royal Academy of Art in Mayfair.
• Frankfurt is hosting a major new exhibition celebrating the work of Sandro Botticelli on until 28 February 2010 at the city’s renowned Städel Museum. Featuring paintings on loan from galleries around the world, this is a unique opportunity to view an incredible selection of masterpieces by the Florence-based artist. Stay at Villa Kennedy located in the centre of Frankfurt
• From 22 to 31 January, Brussels is home to one of the world’s oldest antique fairs, suitable for both professional and amateur collectors alike. The fair features 120 exhibitors showcasing objects from Antiquity alongside African art and modern classicism, as well as contemporary art. Pick up a future masterpiece at the city’s affordable art fair taking place in February. Stay at Hotel Amigo, overlooking the city’s beautiful Grand Place.  www.brafa.be
• The Scuderie del Quirinale Museum in Rome is marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Caravaggio with an exhibition of the great master’s most important and representative work.   The exhibition, set to be one of the cultural highlights of 2010, will run from February 18 to June 13 2010. Stay at Hotel de Russie, Rome’s most stylish retreat.
• Head to Florence to see L’Arma per L’Arte exhibition taking place at Palazzo Pitti until April 2010.  The exhibition is devoted to sacred art and showcases paintings and objects stolen from churches, convents and museums.  All gourmands should head to The Artisan Chocolate Fair in February where Tuscany’s finest chocolatiers gather in Piazza Santa Croche.  Stay at Hotel Savoy located on the Piazza Repubblica.
• Visit Munich during January and you will catch the Master of Art Nouveau exhibition at Munich's Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung displaying more than 200 works by Alfons Mucha from both public and private collections. Make sure you also stop by the new Brandhorst Museum, Europe’s most exciting new contemporary gallery featuring works by Warhol, Hirst, Picasso and Beuys. Stay at The Charles Hotel located in the heart of Munich by the Old Botanical Gardens.
• Take in some beautiful winter blooms at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.  During February you can enjoy the sights of snowdrops and winter aconites appearing through the snow and shrubs laden with bright red berries.  Also enjoy the annual display of Turner watercolours at the Royal Scottish Academy.  Stay at The Balmoral located on Princes Street close to all the city’s attractions.
• Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry is staging an inspirational exhibition about the works of the legendary Leonardo Da Vinci on until 13 June 2010. See fascinating 3-D animations of Da Vinci's most famous paintings and sculptures as well as large-scale interactive machines, hand-crafted by modern-day Italian artisans. Stay at The Lowry Hotel located in the centre of the city on the banks of the River Irwell.

Press Information
Anna Martin/Natasha Berg
The Rocco Forte Collection
Tel. +44 20 7766 3137
Email. pressinformation@roccofortecollection.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Rocco Forte Collection
The Rocco Forte Collection was established in 1996 to create a group of luxury hotels in Europe.  The hotels have individual styles, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The properties are linked together under The Rocco Forte Collection brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.
The Rocco Forte Collection comprises 13 hotels and resorts: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; The Augustine, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily.

Future openings: Abu Dhabi – 2010; Jeddah – 2011; Marrakech – 2011; Cairo - 2012

For further information and online reservations, please visit The Rocco Forte Collection website: www.roccofortecollection.com.