There is no name that evokes the extravagance and opulence of Imperial Russia more than Carl Fabergé, goldsmith to the Romanov dynasty. Painstakingly crafted by hand from gold and platinum and decorated with thousands of glittering diamonds and finished with exquisite details, Fabergé’s Imperial Eggs are truly breathtaking. From 1885 until the revolution he produced 50 eggs for the Imperial Russian court, 43 of which still survive today.
Hotel Astoria celebrates the remarkable legacy of Faberge with its Exquisite St Petersburg package. Live like royalty with an exceptional 3-night stay in the Presidential suite, and be treated to a private, after-hours tour of the Faberge Museum followed by an elegant Champagne reception and special ballet performance. In addition to a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Rose, a 5-course dinner served in your private dining room and an exclusive Fabergé Winter Rose dessert, guests will be given their own piece of Faberge to take home, with stunning diamond cufflinks for men and an exquisite diamond pendant for women.
Renowned all over the world, Fabergé’s rise to fame was meteoric. While Fabergé eggs were reserved for the Imperial Court, his team produced jewellery and objects of the highest quality for Russian and European nobility, with stores in London, Moscow and Kiev. In order to maintain his success, he had to be pioneering, and developed an innovative enamelling technique, layering multiple coloured enamels on top of each other to stunning effect.
Today, the Fabergé Museum in St Petersburg houses the largest collection of his work, including nine of those famous eggs. The shimmering white museum, set in a former palace, is the perfect place to discover the magic and timeless allure of this celebrated designer.
Experience the magic and wonder of Faberge as part of Hotel Astoria’s Exquisite St Petersburg package. For reservations please contact +7 812 494 51 37 or email reservations.astoria@roccofortehotels.com.
Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
In a time when beauty shaped every facet of life — from the curve of a staircase to the vivid bloom of a painted iris — Italy’s Stile Liberty captured the optimism of a new century. Across Europe in the late 19th century, the Belle Époque blurred the line between art and the everyday, celebrating craftsmanship, elegance, and expressive freedom. Now, a new cultural itinerary, From Mucha to Florio, traces that movement between Hotel de la Ville in Rome and Villa Igiea in Palermo, two different cities, two glorious expressions of the same artistic impulse.
