As the autumn harvests fade into memory and trees are festooned with fairy lights in place of fruit, we continue to curate experiences to enthral clients and offer an unrivalled sense of place. From an exclusive Sicilian culinary journey to an exceptional chocolate workshop in Brussels, each of the following experiences are distinctly emblematic of the country in which they take place.
Olive oil harvesting in Sicily
Late autumn in Sicily sees the olive ripen. Your clients will no doubt have tasted this prized delicacy, an essential part of la cucina Italiana. Now, gastronomes can gain a deeper insight into the journey from branch to bruschetta with Verdura Resort. Accompanied by a U Canuscituri (local insider), clients will visit the quaint hilltop village of Sant’Angelo Muxaro in the Sicani mountains where, with a local family, they’ll partake in the olive harvesting, reaping the olives from the branches with the same implements used since antiquity, before catching their prize in large nets. After witnessing the pressing and extraction phases of production, they’ll prepare and enjoy a seasonal lunch together with their hosts, featuring the fruits of their labour.
Chocolate crafting in Brussels
Home to an estimated 2,000 chocolatiers, Brussels is known as the chocolate capital of the world. Courtesy of Hotel Amigo, your cocoa-loving clients can not only sample some of the finest sweet treats in the city but also get behind the scenes to learn the art of crafting chocolate from a renowned local Maître chocolatier. In the warm, cocoa-scented surrounds of Laurent Gerbaud’s Atelier, they’ll discover the secret to blending chocolate with various fruit and spices to exotic effect – the Maître’s extensive travels in the Far East inspired his innovative recipes and guests can expect to use kumquats, apricots, lemon peel, figs, grapefruit, nuts and more. Not only will they take home their own creations, but each attendee will also carry away a deluxe collection of seasonal chocolates made by the Maître himself.
Book your 2020 stay at Verdura Resort by emailing reservations.verdura@roccofortehotels.com or calling +39 06 32 888 630.
Book your stay at Hotel Amigo by emailing reservations.amigo@roccofortehotels.com or calling +7 812 494 5770.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
The name Bernardo Buontalenti might not mean much to those outside of Florence, but it should. A prestigious Florentine architect and artist favoured by the Medici, he is also widely credited with inventing gelato. This frozen delight is now as synonymous with Italy as pizza and is deeply intertwined with Florence’s heritage. Take a tour of the city’s most celebrated gelaterias, curated by the expert concierge team at Hotel Savoy.
As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
