The Rocco Forte Collection Bring Rome and Florence to Life For Teenage Visitors

Two exciting, interactive ways to get under the skin of Rome and Florence, likely to appeal greatly to teenage (or younger) visitors, are on offer to families at The Rocco Forte Collection’s Hotel Savoy in Florence and Hotel de Russie in Rome.   In Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, a treasure hunt around the masterpieces of Michelangelo is a lively way to approach the traditional artistic and cultural attractions of the city; while in Rome, comes the opportunity to learn the art of being a gladiator.

In Florence, the Hotel Savoy has organised a highly creative treasure hunt around the works of Michelangelo. With the help of a tour guide and a tailor-made map of the city containing clues and questions, teenagers are sent on a fast-paced quest through the Museo del Bargello (Drunken Bacchus, David-Apollo, Brutus) and the Galleria dell’Accademia (David). The idea is that each work of art provides a clue to the next, which leads ultimately to the treasure… and, it is hoped, the detective work will also spark a passion for art amongst this demanding age-group.

The Gladiator School, run by the Historical Group of Rome, is located on the Appian Way in an old stadium which has been restyled with red flags and given an authentic wooden floor and seats for the cheering public. Within this setting, teenagers (and their parents, if they wish) take on the mantle of Russell Crowe’s Massimo Decimo Meridio to relive scenes from the ancient Roman world. Dressed in gladiator attire, with real iron armour, shields and helmets, they are trained in gladiatorial rules of hand-to-hand engagement by specialist teachers.

During the day they will learn how gladiators – named after the Roman for sword, ‘gladius’ – were not only war prisoners, slaves or people sentenced to death, but also free men attracted by rewards and glory. Winners were rewarded with gold palms, money and immense popularity (particularly with the ladies). If the winning gladiator was a slave, he could win freedom with ten victories, which were notched up on a metal collar.

All Gladiator School participants will start the day with an exclusive private guided tour of the city by car which has been designed specifically to appeal to teenagers.  The tour, exclusively available to guests of Hotel de Russie, takes in the Colosseum, the Forum, Capitol Hill, the Circus Maximus, the Thermae of Caracalla, the Museum of the Roman Legions and a trip around the catacombs of San Domitilla. These tunnels are located under a sunken 4th-century church and are the only catacombs in the city still to contain the bones of early Christians.

The Michelangelo Treasure Hunt for the Hotel Savoy and The Gladiator School for the Hotel de Russie are available to all guests booking The Rocco Forte Collection’s ‘Unforgettable Family Affair’ package which includes:

• A 50 per cent discount on a second classic double room for children when booking an executive double room for parents (rooms will be adjacent or interconnecting)
• Complimentary buffet breakfast for the whole family
• Complimentary meals for children under three and a 50 per cent discount for children up to 12
• A welcome gift for children in their room with age-appropriate amenities

Prices:
Hotel Savoy, Florence – The Family Affair package including the Michelangelo Treasure Hunt experience starts from €1,880 for a two-night stay during August based on a family of four in one executive double room for parents and one classic double room for children (interconnecting or adjacent) including breakfast. The Treasure Hunt is also available to guests booking a double classic room at an additional cost of €370 for two people.

Hotel de Russie, Rome - The Family Affair package including the Gladiator School experience starts from €2,381 for a two-night stay during August based on a family of four in two interconnecting or adjacent double deluxe rooms including breakfast.  The Gladiator School Experience is available to guests booking a double classic room at an additional cost of €495.00 for two people.

For further information or to book, please call Hotel de Russie on +39 06 32 88 81 or Hotel Savoy on +39 055 27 35 1 or visit www.roccofortecollection.com

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For more information/images, please contact:
Anna Martin/Natasha Berg
The Rocco Forte Collection
Tel. 020 7766 3137
Email. nberg@roccofortecollection.com

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 inked together under The Rocco Forte Collection, which guarantees attention to
detail, quality and service delivery.

The Rocco Forte Collection comprises: 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 – 2012;