{"id":8607,"date":"2020-02-04T15:31:33","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T14:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=8607"},"modified":"2020-06-23T23:48:48","modified_gmt":"2020-06-23T21:48:48","slug":"start-your-sicily-sightseeing-from-the-mythical-villa-igieia-in-the-hills-of-palermo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2020\/02\/04\/start-your-sicily-sightseeing-from-the-mythical-villa-igieia-in-the-hills-of-palermo\/","title":{"rendered":"Start your Sicily sightseeing, from the mythical Villa Igieia, in the hills of Palermo!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Located on the northern coast of the Italian island of Sicily, get to know its massively Arab-Norman inspired capital of Palermo and its architectural jewels, like the Cathedral and its many Palazzi<\/em>, all witnesses of a rich history! Collectively, they are an outstanding example of a socio-cultural syncretism between Western, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures. This interchange gave rise to an architectural and artistic expression based on novel concepts of space, structure, and decoration that spread widely throughout the Mediterranean region. <\/strong>By Alex Plato<\/em><\/div>\n
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The city of Palermo<\/strong>, in Sicily<\/strong>, was founded in 734 BC, by the Phoenicians, by the time named as Ziz<\/strong> (meaning flower). Palermo<\/strong> then became a possession of Carthage<\/strong>, before becoming part of the Roman Republic<\/strong>, the Roman Empire<\/strong> and eventually part of the Byzantine Empire<\/strong>, for more than 1000 years. The Greeks<\/strong> named it the Panormos<\/strong> city, meaning “complete port”. Then, from 831 to 1072 the city was under the Arab<\/strong> rule, during the Emirate<\/strong> of Sicily<\/strong>. This huge mix of cultures brought this Italian<\/strong> island an incomparable heritage to visit all the year!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"\"\"The history of the Grand Hotel Villa Igiea<\/strong><\/a>, now acquired by the Rocco Forte Hotels<\/strong><\/a> group, is a masterpiece of Sicilian <\/strong>Art Nouveau<\/em>, is fully part to this good rich old times and directly linked to the encounter between 2 famous Palermo<\/strong>-born men: Ignazio Florio Jr<\/strong> and Ernesto Basile<\/strong>. Decorated by Ettore De Maria Bergler<\/strong> and furnished in a wonderful vegetal and floral style by Vittorio Ducrot<\/strong>, this real Palermo <\/strong>palazzo<\/em> jewel is today considered as one of the most luxurious hotels in the region and in renovation until its revival on June 1st, 2020!<\/div>\n
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Indeed, this Rocco Forte Hotels<\/strong> chain is lead by a famous family hotel group, led by Sir Rocco Forte<\/strong> and his sister Olga Polizzi<\/strong>, proudly bet on this historical palace, overlooking the Gulf of Palermo <\/strong>(photo credits: Villa Igiea). <\/div>\n
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For your information, originally built as a private villa, the influential Florio<\/strong> family asked the Italian Art Nouveau<\/em> architect Ernesto Basile<\/strong> to restore the property and transform it into a luxury hotel. Once considered the most famous retreat in Sicily, the Villa Igiea<\/strong> was a symbol of elegance<\/em> and hospitality that hosted many artists, such as the Hollywood<\/strong> elite and royalty characters passing by. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"\"\"Built in 1900 at the peak of the Belle Epoque<\/em> era, a period of economic prosperity dating from the end of the Franco-Prussian war until the beginning of the First World War, the hotel recalls a magnificent castle overlooking the sea.<\/div>\n
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The design director of the Rocco Forte Hotels<\/strong><\/a> group, Olga Polizzi<\/strong>, works hard in collaboration with one of the most prominent names in the design world, Paolo Moschino, <\/strong>acting with Nicholas Haslam<\/strong>, who would oversee the meticulous restoration of the edifice, in order to preserve its exquisite historical features, while respecting the emblematic brand style of the Rocco Forte<\/strong> family… (photo credits: Alex Plato). <\/div>\n
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For instance, the famous Basile room<\/strong>, the frescoed bar<\/strong> and the large mirrored ballroom<\/strong> will regain their natural beauty, as long as the 104 spacious rooms and suites, helped with a charming view on the sea or the surrounding gardens… A global update to reflect, at the end, a contemporary and classic Sicilian <\/strong>oasis<\/em>. <\/div>\n
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The Chef Fulvio Pierangelini<\/strong>, a creative gastronomy designer, for Rocco Forte<\/strong> group, is charged to imagine the future innovative menus, featuring fresh local specialties, to be featured as typical as possible of this Italian<\/strong> side.<\/div>\n
Once ready, you would probably have the chance to dine in the main restaurant<\/strong>, a large mirrored lounge where the Florio<\/strong> dynasty used to entertain the royal family, or on the romantic terrace<\/strong>, bordering the swimming pool<\/strong>, for a more aquatic setting.<\/div>\n
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Furthermore, overlooking the gardens, the vaulted bar<\/strong>, decorated with frescoes, was once an emblematic meeting place for locals and travelers throughout the ages, also famous for its Sicilian<\/strong> aperitif parties. <\/div>\n
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The impressive space available for meetings<\/strong> and events, <\/strong>hosted sumptuous weddings, party conventions, conferences would be carefully rejuvenated too, to accommodate events<\/strong> of all sizes. <\/div>\n
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Located on the seashore, among the gardens’ vegetation, would settles the spa<\/strong>. Offering a Mediterranean<\/strong> journey, full of senses, framed by Sicilian <\/strong>majolica<\/em> tiles, typical colors of the Tyrrhenian Sea<\/strong> and comfortable furniture, the treatments would be organized by Irene Forte, <\/strong>using her care products, inspired by the Sicilian<\/strong> nature. <\/div>\n
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A true urban resort, the Villa Igiea<\/strong><\/a> is easily accessible from the Palermo International Airport<\/strong>, or even seaside, for only 10 minutes by car from the center of Palermo<\/strong>, where visitors may admire the overwhelming beauty of the city’s baroque<\/em> churches, the royal Norman<\/strong> palace or simply stroll along the lively bucolic street markets.<\/div>\n
Those unmissable sights, such as Monreale<\/strong>, Erice<\/strong> and Cefalu<\/strong>, are located just a short car drive away, while in summer a boat would be available to bring their guests to the beautiful Mondello Beach<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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\"\"\"\"In summary, the Villa Igiea<\/strong><\/a> would be the seventh property of the Rocco Forte<\/strong> family in Italy<\/strong> and the second one in Sicily, <\/strong>thus <\/strong>perfectly complementing with the Verdura Resort, <\/strong>located along the amazing Sicilian<\/strong> coast, only 90 minutes by car from Palermo<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
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Some last words commented, on the opening of this brand new Villa Igiea<\/strong><\/a>, from the new owner, Sir Rocco Forte<\/strong>: “It is an honor to be able to undertake the restoration project of the Villa Igiea<\/strong><\/a> back to its natural splendor. This is an emblematic hotel, with the Florio<\/strong> family at its origin, and I am delighted that my family has its place in the wonderful history of the building. The future guests should take the chance to discover the best of Sicily<\/strong> by visiting Palermo<\/strong>, a wonderful city that lived an extraordinary renaissance<\/em> moment, then maybe go to the Verdura Resort, <\/strong>in order to complete any relaxation journey.”<\/div>\n
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You would be undoubtedly charmed by this resort, ideally located to visit some Palermo<\/strong> main tourist spots, also thanks to a private free shuttle, starting from the hotel), to easily reach the city center or rent a car, for getting further…<\/div>\n
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Online bookings can now be made, from the period starting from June 1st, 2020, with a departure price of 520 \u20ac (including breakfast), to book directly on the official website<\/strong><\/a>. For any other information, send a mail<\/strong><\/a>. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Villa Igiea<\/strong><\/a> \/ Salita Belmonte, 43, 90142 Palermo PA, Italy \/ Phone: +39 06 32888 590<\/div>\n
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