Celebrating 230 years of Francesco Hayez’ ‘The Kiss’
Romance is at the heart of many of our most memorable travel experiences, and the Eternal City is filled with whimsical locations perfect for private moments and romantic gestures. From Galleria Borghese’s prize possessions to pretty gardens and our starlit rooftop terrace at Hotel de la Ville, read on to spark inspiration for a romantic escape when you’re ready to whisk your loved one away.
While away the afternoon in a hidden garden
Famous for its rich history, Rome also offers up a wealth of green spaces and romantic picnic locations, backdropped by the city’s iconic landmarks. The orange-scented Giardino Degli Aranci, or Parco Savello, is a leafy haven accessed by foot, nestled behind the Circus Maximus sporting fields. Once in the gardens, take a stroll past the ruins of the Savelli Castle walls and admire the Basilica of Santa Sabina.
Enjoy a sunset bike ride along the Lungotevere
This picturesque boulevard runs all the way along the Tiber waterfront, from Ponte Milvio to Piazzale Maresciallo Giardino. Explore a different side to the city by bike or meander by foot to enjoy a slower-paced stroll, stopping for gelato along the way. Wander back home to enjoy a Stravinskij Spritz in Hotel de Russie’s majestic gardens.
Explore Villa Borghese’s depictions of love
Many of Galleria Borghese’s most renowned artworks are laced with romance. Perhaps one of the most valuable pieces in the collection is Titian’s 1514 portrait ‘Sacred and Profane Love’, an oil painting commissioned to celebrate the marriage of Niccolò Aurelio and Laura Bagarotto. Complete your visit with a scenic bike, carriage or Segway ride to explore Villa Borghese’s picturesque gardens and breath-taking views of the city.
Magical evenings in secret locations
Romance forms an inimitable part of the intimacy and elegance of our Roman hotels. Ascend to Hotel de la Ville’s secret Cielo roof terrace for zesty cocktails atop our lively 18th-century palazzo, backdropped by Rome’s enchanting terracotta-tiled skyline. Book a table at the Stravinsky Bar for one of the best aperitivo experiences in the city; nestled in Hotel de Russie’s secret garden, scented by rose bushes, orange trees and mature pine and sound-tracked by the gentle sounds of a small waterfall, experience the romance of this idyllic location for yourself.
Celebrating 230 years of Francesco Hayez’ ‘The Kiss’ in Rome
19th-century Venetian artist Francesco Hayez is widely considered the central figure of the Italian Romantic art movement. Enchanted by the simple gesture of a kiss, his renowned masterpiece, Il Bacio, is regarded as one of the most famous interpretations of love in Western art, depicting a medieval couple stealing an intimate kiss in a quiet corridor. In celebration of this striking image and its timeless message, both of our hotels in Rome have created St Valentine packages for guests to mark romantic occasions.
Hotel de la Ville, Rome
Book a staycation or overnight stay and enjoy a dedicated menu at Mosaico, followed by romantic cocktails at Cielo Terrace. To book, speak to our team at Hotel de la Ville by emailing reception.delaville@roccofortehotels.com or call +39 06 977 931
Hotel de Russie, Rome
Wake up moments from the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps and enjoy a dedicated menu at Le Jardin de Russie and romantic cocktails at Stravinskij Bar. To book a romantic escape, email reception.derussie@roccofortehotels.com or call +39 06 32 88 81.
Every couple has a travel personality, whether they know it or not. Some arrive with the itinerary already annotated, a dog-eared list of museums and monuments to be conquered before the weekend is out. Others navigate by appetite, and some show up with nothing planned beyond each other's company. Each is its own kind of romance. However the two of you travel, somewhere in Europe there is a city that answers to it perfectly, and a Rocco Forte Hotel at its heart.
The soul of a destination – that special something all travellers yearn to glimpse – is really the soul of its people. It is timeless humanity refracted by a place’s unique qualities, by its bounty and scarcity, its landscape and climate.
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