D I S C O V E R PA L E R M O WITH
Villa Igiea, Palermo
J O I N PA L E R M O ’ S G R A N D R E V I VA L AT V I L L A I G I E A When Ignazio Florio Junior decided to build a new hotel for the cosmopolitan elite in 1899, his intention was to have nothing as grandiose that could ever grace Palermo again. He envisaged a palazzo, a castle in the heart of the Conca d’Oro plain, surrounded by gardens where orange and olive trees flourish, where the aroma of the Mediterranean sweeps in and on the horizon, the blue sea changes colour every day. This historical Art Nouveau private palazzo turned into one of the most luxurious hotels in Sicily, a seaside-meets-city sanctuary for royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries visiting Palermo. In just a few weeks, Villa Igiea, as magnificent as when it first opened, will welcome its much prized new guests.
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“ Who has once seen the sky of Palermo can never forget it.“ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
PA L E R M O , FLOURISHING FOREVER Palermo is more than just a city, it’s the history of the Mediterranean. Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans: each civilisation left its own invaluable mark creating a style that speaks of co-existence and sharing. Everyday Palermo is just as dazzling as its rich artistic heritage: with its markets, religious festivals, spectacular cuisine, heavenly cakes and pastries, and of course, the sparkling sea. This fascinating city is also the ideal starting point to explore Western Sicily.
A N I N TA N G I B L E H E R I TA G E With three cathedrals, three churches, two palaces and a legendary bridge, the UNESCO World Heritage marvels in and around Palermo typifies the heady mix of cultures, art forms and architectural styles that infuse Sicily. Built in the Norman-dominated th 12 century, they combine European, Islamic and Byzantine traditions in a striking display of mosaic and design. Together, the eight sites are a spectacular way to immerse yourself in Sicilian history.
“You feel as if you were sitting in the heart of a huge nest, watching the angels sing.” Oscar Wilde The Cathedral of Palermo
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San Cataldo and La Martorana Churches, Palermo
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Mosaics at La Martorana Church, Palermo
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WHERE ART AND MUSIC MEET Immerse yourself in Palermo’s arts scene at the Teatro Massimo and Teatro Politeama. A symbol of the city and the largest opera house in Italy, Teatro Massimo is an imposing Neoclassical music temple and the place to see international opera and ballet. A short walk through the city centre is Palermo’s other bastion of live performance, Teatro Politeama – home to the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana and a diverse schedule of concerts and shows.
Teatro Massimo, Palermo
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Palatine Chapel, Palermo
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Royal Palace, Palermo
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Zisa Castle, Palermo
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Fontana Pretoria, Palermo
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ENJOY THE F L AV O U R S O F PA L E R M O It is impossible to know and love Palermo without a stroll through Vucciria, Capo and Ballarò markets in the city centre. Each open-air market is a kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and streets, where you can buy all manner of wonderful food items and taste the city’s famous street food. Discover fried fish served in paper cones, vegetables in batter, roast calamari, Sicilian chickpea fritters known as panelle, croquettes and the well-loved rice balls, arancine.
“The loveliest region of Italy: a stunning orgy of colors, scents, and lights… a great delight.” Sigmund Freud Capo street market, Palermo
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The Cathedral of Palermo as seen from Via Porta di Castro
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FROM THE CITY TO THE SEA A postcard-perfect island known for its miles of beautiful beaches, Sicily’s northern coast is especially blessed with spectacular stretches of sand – all within easy reach of Palermo city centre. Just west of the city is turquoise-watered Mondello Beach, a charming seaside location beloved by locals. Continuing along the coast, you’ll find the dramatic cliffs of Scopello, the white sands of San Vito Lo Capo and Sicily’s first natural reserve: Riserva dello Zingaro – a diverse ecological site famous for its hiking trails above miles of unblemished beach. Located in a special setting, full of history and culture, the charming city of Cefalù and its sandy beaches are definitely worth a visit.
“And anyone who has once known this land can never be quite free from the nostalgia for it.” David Herbert Lawrence Cefalù. A 60-minute drive from the hotel
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Riserva dello Zingaro, Castellammare del Golfo. A 60-minute drive from the hotel
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San Vito lo Capo. A 90-minute drive from the hotel
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Favignana. A 90-minute drive from the hotel and a 30-minute ferry ride from Trapani
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Scopello. A 60-minute drive from t
the hotel
EXPLORE THE SURROUNDINGS O F PA L E R M O Discover Marsala and its famous eponymous wine. This coastal town’s extraordinary history is echoed in its architecture, which blends Baroque elements with Arabian flourishes. Gaze out across the famous Stagnone reserve, which includes the Phoenician island of Mothia. Historic highlights not to miss en route are the impressive Doric temple and the theatre of Segesta, both steeped in Ancient Greek history. Next stop, the medieval mountaintop town of Erice, with sweeping views over Trapani.
“All of Sicily is a dimension of the imagination.” Leonardo Sciascia View from Erice. A 90-minute drive from the hotel
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Saltworkers in Trapani. A 90-minute drive from the hotel
Stagnone di Marsala. A 90-minute drive from the hotel
Segesta. A 60-minute drive from t
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the hotel
Mazara del Vallo. A 90-minute drive from the hotel
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Marsala. A 90-minute drive from the hotel
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B E T W E E N A R T, L E G E N D A N D C U LT U R E Stroll through the streets of Palermo and you’ll notice the Teste di Moro, colourful head-shaped ceramic pots adorning the city’s balconies. Inspired by a legend from the 11th century, these hand-painted vases showcase Sicilian craftsmanship. Discover the story of love, passion, betrayal, jealousy, and revenge that lies behind them. Sit back and enjoy Palermo’s renowned puppet theatre, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity-listed celebration of craftsmanship and folklore. Since the 16th century, the city’s skilled puppeteers have been bringing to life romantic poems, medieval tales and dramatic comedies through beautifully hand-carved wooden puppets. For the perfect sartorial souvenir, visit one of the city’s tailors for a handmade coppola (flat cap), a distinctive symbol of Sicilian men. Crafted in a variety of fabrics and styles, these traditional caps are a Sicilian take on the British tweed hunting cap and make ideal gifts.
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VILLA IGIEA Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea:a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo. A long-loved seaside-meets-city sanctuary for royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries, trace their paths through tiered villa gardens that sweep down to the port and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea, and through Igiea’s palatial Art Nouveau interior, revitalised as a Rocco Forte hotel.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N
V I L L A I G I E A S PA
• 78 rooms • 22 suites
• Outdoor pool • Treatment rooms • Gym • Beauty corner
R E STAU R A N T S & B A R S
ACTIVITIES
• Restaurant with terrace • Bar with terrace • Pool restaurant & bar
• Boat trips • Culinary activities • Sightseeing excursions • Tennis court
MEETINGS & EVENTS • Conference Hall, for up to 350 delegates • Banqueting Hall, for up to 250 delegates • Sala Basile, meeting room for up to 120 delegates • Library, for up to 40 delegates
• 30 min from Palermo International Airport • 90 min from Verdura Resort
@villaigieapalermo @villaigieapalermo @villaigieapalermo
Salita Belmonte, 43, 90142 Palermo, Italy Pre-opening enquiries: T +39 063 288 8590 reservations.villaigiea@roccofortehotels.com
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