Rocco Forte Unveils the Italian Art Nouveau Universe in Rome & Palermo
Explore Italy art nouveau heritage through a new unedited itinerary exclusively available at Hotel de la Ville and Villa Igiea
Rocco Forte Hotels launches a new itinerary, unveiling the beauty and savoir-vivre of the Belle Epoque in Italy. A cultural journey connecting Hotel de la Ville and Villa Igiea in Palermo in Rome, inspired by the elegance of Art Nouveau and the new Roman exhibition on the genius of Alphonse Mucha launched on October 8th 2025 until March 2026.
Conceived in dialogue with the Mucha Exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte, the itinerary explores how the painter’s Art Nouveau ideals; harmony, ornament, and the celebration of femininity, found a Roman echo in the city’s Liberty architecture. The Belle Epoque Journey offers new avenues of exploration in Italy, with exclusive and tailor-made liberty-led experiences celebrating the artistic dialogue between two Italian cities that embraced the flamboyant Art Nouveau style in distinctive ways at the turn of the 20th century.
ROME ITINERARY: CELEBRATING THE ETERNAL CITY BELLE EPOQUE WITH MUCHA | The Belle Epoque Journey, designed by The Maptique, begins in Rome. In the Eternal city, Liberty emerged with a different character: playful, eclectic, and often blended with Renaissance and Baroque influences. The experience begins with a walking tour through Galleria Sciarra, Casina delle Civette, and Quartiere Coppedè to be completed with a private visit to the Mucha Exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte, of which Hotel de la Ville is cultural partner. Through architecture, frescoes, and stained glass, the itinerary traces Mucha’s legacy from his celebration of the female figure and the decorative interplay of geometry and nature to the Roman expressions of Liberty’s fantasy and refinement. Guests will enjoy privileged access, including private and after-hours tours guided by art historians, and bespoke cultural moments designed to deepen the dialogue between Mucha’s universe and Rome’s Liberty heritage.
PALERMO ITINERARY: ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FLORIO | The itinerary culminates in Palermo which flourished as a cosmopolitan hub, driven by visionary families such as the Florios. The tour, realized in partnership with Essence of Sicily, touches on the most representative places of the family's history, including: the Cala, Via Libertà, Villino Florio, Villa Malfitano, the Massimo Theatre and Villino Quattro Pizzi. It ends with a private visit of Villa Igiea’s interiors, including the worldwide famous Bergler’s Sala degli Specchi at Villa Igiea where the guests can indulge in a special afternoon tea. The journey continues inside the Rocco Forte properties, at Cielo Rooftop Bar and Igiea Terrazza Bar, where three signature cocktails by Maestro Salvatore Calabrese together with Simone di Serio and Nicola Loiacono, will be making their debut.
This cultural bridge brings together Palermo’s floral sensuality and Rome’s urban eclecticism, connecting them through the European language of Art Nouveau and the universal imagery of Mucha whose imagery defined the Art Nouveau movement in Europe.
THE LIBERTY JOURNEY: THE COCKTAIL LIST BELLE DE NUIT | Altamura Vodka, Campari Cask Tales Bourbon, Mancino Sweet Vermouth, Acqua Bianca Liqueur, Lemon twist. “Inspired by the charm and beauty of Parisian nights during Belle Epoque”.
PARISIAN CHIC | Angostura Bitters, Courvoisier VSOP, Artistic Alternative Jasmine Kombucha. “Inspired by fashion and style of that Golden Age”.
FROM ROME TO PALERMO | Fresh lemon juice, Simple Syrup, Red Prickly Pear Puree Boiron, VII Hills Gin, Stillabunt Magic Velvet, Essentia green mandarin finish. “The harmonious blend of the two cities that will accompany guests throughout this journey”.
FLORIO BLOOM | Sicilian Citrus Gin, Marsala wine reduction, Elderflower Liqueur, Sparkling tonic. “A nod to the Florio family legacy and Sicilian blossoms”.
THE SEASONS (1896) | Pear Cognac VSOP, Chamomile American Vermouth, Acqua Bianca Liqueur, Honey Syrup, Orange Bitter. “Such as Mucha’s women, this cocktail dresses up with light and colour, and each flavour tells a season”.
GISMONDA (1894) | Spanish-style Rum, Violet Liqueur, Orange Liqueur, Honey Syrup, Fresh Lemon juice, Champagne. “A toast to the divine Sarah Bernhardt, whose theatrical elegance made her an icon of the Belle Époque”.