A vision in sand-coloured stone and earthy hues, Verdura Spa is a stand-alone sanctuary at the heart of the resort, with a museum-proportioned hammam, sophisticated relaxation areas and a juice bar. Shortly after the morning light peeks through the gap in our shutters, we stir and head out into the grounds. The historical heart of Syracuse, the island of Ortigia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to beautiful Baroque architecture. Together with renowned golf course designer Kyle Philips, the, The Verdura Resort provides a wide range of leisure facilities to its guests. Leave acomment. For another unforgettable Italian escape, head to Sicily to enjoy two of Italys most breathtaking coastlines. Credit must be used in conjunction with initial stay and cannot be carried over to another stay, is not redeemable for cash and expires at check-out. Some activities are charged: three, two-hour golf lessons are 80120 (including kit), two-and-a-half-hour coaching sessions at the Juventus football academy are from 370485, tennis coaching is 69275 for one to five lessons, and swimming lessons are 65260. Designed by Olga Polizzi in collaboration with Paolo Moschino, this turn-of-the-century palazzo sits in the heart of the seaside town that has long been a retreat for the rich and famous. Every Rocco Forte Hotels' suite is carefully conceived to give guests an extraordinary experience of the local area. local musicians adda little extra heart and soul. Your honeymoon should be the most memorable, magical holiday you've ever taken. Take your pick from old-style Caribbean culture in Nevis, shallow waters in the Bahamas, or the volcanic, Adventurous travellers will be spoiled for choice, with a playground of dense jungle, towering volcanoes, huge reefs, wild river rapids and shimmering lakes playing home to magnificent wildlife, as From the oasis cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Merv to vast and varied landscapes, Central Asia is thrillingly otherworldly. Heading further to Sicily's south coast, relaxation is the order of the day. We ordered both well, we. The music youve heard and the movies youve seen all come magically to life when you visit North America. Weve been creating fabulous luxury ski holidays in the Alps and North America since 1986. This, paired with the other two Roman properties, makes Rocco Forte Hotels the perfect partner to welcome you into this ancient cosmopolitan gem with historical landmarks on every corner, a buzzing restaurant and bar scene, picture-perfect piazzas, and more. Tennis kit will be handy if you fancy a whirl on the courts. With an interior design concept created by Tommaso Ziffer, state-of-the-art amenities and a house manager at the ready, these Rocco Forte House apartments offer travellers the next level of contemporary Roman living. Pool suites offer private pools. Standards of service are high, and the spa staff in particular are top-notch. Hotel Savoy takes pride of place on the Piazza della Repubblica, amongst the city's leading landmarks, to help you enjoy the best the city has to offer. Verdura is a playground for the rich and famous, and our rooms ensuite does a stellar job of making me feel like one of them, with twin sinks, rain shower, deep bath tub hell, we seem to have our own massage table, too Delightfully scented Ortigia bath products are the icing on the cake; made locally, using nothing but natural Sicilian ingredients, they certainly smell good enough to eat. Cardmember must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Step back in time as you explore the Valley of the Temples with your private guide and admire the ruined Greek temples and tombs that once made up the ancient city of Akragas. During the summer months the Torre Bar is a wonderful place for drink; sit outside and you may hear dulcet notes drifting over from thepiazzettaby the tower, wherelocal musicians adda little extra heart and soul. The last Duke of Verdura was a cousin of the renown Italian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa; his masterpiece, The resort is tucked away in what seems like the, In spite of several subtle references to its Sicilian roots, the resorts modern and minimalist design, Composed of fine white sand, the resorts, The main pool one of Europes largest swimming pools is a stunning facility. The section for younger kidsis tricked out and techy with a TV room, games room and a science lab. Liol is open from AprilOctober. A total of 203, including 50 suites and three villas. Zagara serves Mediterranean cuisine in a candlelit setting. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses, six floodlit clay tennis courts, a full size football pitch, a 60m infinity pool and a fully equipped gym. A true romantic. And if Sicily is the clue, the Verdura lifestyle is without doubt a piece of the puzzle. Amare is the Olga Polizzi-styledbeachside restaurant open in summer, with fresh Mediterranean favourites and barbecued seafood, andfolding glazing for the best views. The beach itself is a bit of a disappointment: rocky and seaweed-strewn, its better for walks than for swimming. Some of the best-preserved relics of Greeces Golden Age remain at Agrigento. window.monetateQ = window.monetateQ || []; If you havent entered any dates, the rate shown is provided directly by the hotel and represents the cheapest double room (including tax) available in the next 60days. Here, the modern metropolises of the Emirates contrast with ancient cities such as Petra and Jerash, and the traditional Bedouin way of life in the desert. At Verdura fresh pasta is a specialty; well, that and the pistachio gelato. My YouTube channel is one of the most followed travel vlogs in the world. Rooms, suites, and pool suites offer private terraces overlooking the sea and golf course. Spa and thalassotherapy pools, helipad, gardens, two championship-level 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole par three course, private beach, fitness studio, salon, free WiFi throughout (high-speed WiFi for an extra charge). Offering sun, sea and a sensational taste of southern Italian life, Rocco Forte Hotels Villa Igieain Palermo and Verdura Resort and Rocco Forte Private Villasin the south of Sicily are a great way to get to know this mythical region. Payment must be made in full with an American Express Card in the Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmember's or Centurion Cardmembers name. If so, what was your experience? Open during half term and the school holidays (daily from 10am8pm), Verdland is the hotel's theme-park-sized, free-to-attendkids club; a 450sq m space comprising dedicated areas for different age groups. Although the island life is all too tempting, Italy has something extraordinary to offer within each of its varied landscapes. It serves fresh seafood prepared as it is used in Sicilian fishing villages as well as a meat barbecue. These perks may include an upgrade, daily breakfast, spa treatment, resort credit, early check-in, and late check-out. More hotels in Sicily More hotels in Italy. Verdura is an 80 minutes drive from Palermo airport or a three hour drive from Catania. After a wander down the jetty and a quick dip in the sea, I take a blissful time-out with my book, all set and ready for a day of seemingly endless lounging. Three flavours of home-made granita sit temptingly on the buffet table; it might technically be a dessert, but as it has been made with the oranges and almonds that grow on Verdura Resorts estate, it would be rude to ignore them. An oasis on the city's Via del Babuino, guests are on the doorstep of Trastavere's ancient rabbit warren of streets, the Sistine Chapel and some of the Roman Empire's most imposing archaeological remains. Or hire one of the resort's boats for a trip toTorre Salsa,Scala dei Turchi, Capo Bianco orSciacca, finishing your day with a romantic picnic at sunset. Hotel mascot, Verd the hedgehog, holds lively themed activities focused on education (Sicilian history, astrology, mythology, gardening and language), arts and crafts (painting, pottery, sculpture, dance, short-filmmaking,drama and a Verdura's Got Talent competition), sport (gentle yoga and gymnastics), and food (learning to cook a range of globally inspireddishes in a tot-tailored kitchen) with beach trips in between. If you prefer to stay active, then cycling tours through the rustic countryside are available. The Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites in the Courtyard section of the hotel, on either side of the main reception block, have sea-facing terraces rather than gardens. The room looks also empty and cold, poor entertainment systems and strange placed furniture. Spreading over 4,000 coolly modernist metres, the Verduras standalone wellness centre is probably the top facility in the whole of Sicily, and well up there among Italys leading hotel spas. Wooden shutters ensure all light is blocked so it feels like midnight at midday, so no need for troubled sleepers to bring their eye masks. Wednesdaynewslettersalways feature ahotelorflightreview. Many of the fitness classes take place outdoors, such as Sunset and Sunrise Yoga. A child-free zone all except the indoor spa pool, where kids are welcome from 8am to 2pm it features no less than four outdoor thalassotherapy pools, and has a very distinct approach, following the Kneipp healing and fitness philosophy, based on the five pillars of water, plants, exercise, diet and balance. Savor a sunset cocktail at Granita. Off-season, the only rendezvous open to serve food at lunchtime is la Granita bar. Enjoy taking part in helping to preserve the landscape, as the resort has a no-car policy and provides guests with bicycles to explore the grounds. From their hilltop spot, the new villas guarantee ultimate privacy and security for those who seek exclusive accommodation combined with the unique services that Verdura Resort offers. Watersports, including scuba diving, stand-up paddle-boarding, knee-boarding and kayaking, can be arranged from the jetty. An enormous wooden four-poster bed takes centre stage, billowing mosquito nets giving it a fairy-tale feel. We roll back to our suite like two fat but very happy Italian pigs. Verdura Resort's facilities are exceptional and every family member is well-catered for. Older kids canplay video games, table tennis or pool, and listen to music. Drinks from the Pool Bar can be delivered directly to yourchaise-longue, as can salads, sandwiches and burgers. Contact me to get a resort credit and two personalized experiences (for two) at any Soneva resort in the Maldives or Thailand. There's even a podium for the winners! The Hotel CollectionValid only for new The Hotel Collection bookings of two or more consecutive nights made online through . We ordered both well, we were on holiday before heading our separate ways: Mr Smith to take on nine holes of golf; me to tackle the four thalassotherapy pools in the spa. Treatments like the Relaxation Massage draw inspiration from the island with plant extracts, marine salt, seaweed mud, and Sicilian seawater. Prices have been converted from the hotels local currency (EUR554.55), via openexchangerates.org, using todays exchange rate. For guests in the spa, there are also heated, mineral-rich thalassotherapy pools overlooking the rolling green grass, olive groves and mountains. Limit one benefit package per room, per stay. Later, we head to Zagara, the resorts fine-dining restaurant, where the chef stays true to Sicilian tradition while exploring the boundaries of modern Mediterranean dining. Located on the south coast of Sicily near the seaside town of Sciacca. Click here to book your hotel online on the Classic Travel website. All are done out in a warm contemporary Sicilian style, with rich earthy colours and much use of natural materials stone bathroom fixtures, wooden four-poster beds, and Caltagirone ceramic tiles. Excellently poised resort with two kilometres of private, rugged Sicilian coastline, Practice your best swing at golfers paradise two Championship 18-hole courses and 9-hole course, Seafood fans will be enticed by the delicious fresh catch of the day at Amare on the beach, or for a more casual affair with a view opt for cliff-top Liol, a typical Sicilian Trattoria with pizza oven, The queen of interiors Olga Polizzi has made her make on the stylish rooms which have subtle traditional Sicilian touches. To start planning your vacation Plan your trip. The resort has a helicopter landing pad so direct service via helicopter is also possible. Ultimately exclusive, undeniably luxurious and utterly immersive let us introduce you to Perfect Pairings by Scott Dunn. VerdDine is the healthy buffet-dining option in the kids club (18 a child). Bespoke programmes of yoga, sports and spa treatments can be arranged, and bootcamps for the more daring. Its the perfect excuse to do something really special.