New Italy Extended Stay Experience Takes Travelers from Rome to Abruzzo for Best of City & Coast Experiences
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has created a 10-day Italy: City and Coast Getaway that starts in Rome with an itinerary of foodie hotspots and private tours of the city's gems followed by a visit to the Adriatic Coast for tastings in the vineyards, cooking classes, boating, and more of the good life.

During the first part of the trip, the experience includes five nights in Rome in a Luxury Suite at the five-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. An itinerary full of activities features private tours galore, from a trip to the micro-neighborhood Coppedè, full of alluring Art Nouveau architecture, and magnificent Renaissance palace of Villa Medici and its gardens, to Villa Farnesina, the lavish home of wealthy Sienese banker Agostino Chigi and site of Raphael's ceiling fresco with scenes from the marriage of Cupid and Psyche. A Roman Street Food Tour with Davvero Rome features a combination of traditional and modern-day delights. A Hidden Rome tour with ArcheoRunning, led by renaissance (wo)man Isabella Calidonna, an art historian, certified tour guide and coach for Fidal (Italian Athletics Federation) and Coni (Italian National Olympic Committee), is also included. For the last night, a dinner of contemporary Roman cuisine using locally sourced ingredients is offered at Settimo, the crown jewel of Sofitel Rome offering panoramic views of The Eternal City.

Then it's time to head to the coast to visit the winemaking family that put the region on the map: Masciarelli. Five nights among the green of the Theatine hills at Castello Di Semivicoli allows travelers to fully soak in the unique beauty of the Abruzzo region and the unmistakable taste of its wines. Combining the authenticity and charm of an ancient patrician country house with the refinement of contemporary furnishings, accommodations at Masciarelli's wine resort are in a Superior Suite with 360 views of vineyards, the Abruzzo mountain range and the Adriatic coast.  Additionally, highlights in Abruzzo include a private dinner and wine tasting in the barrel room at Castello Di Semivicoli, a traditional Abruzzo cuisine cooking class, visit to the Masciarelli winery, and a tasting and dinner in the middle of the flagship Villa Gemma vineyard. Before leaving the region, travelers will take a boat out along the Costa dei Trabocchi, partake in a ceramic workshop with an experienced local artisan, and - a highlight - visit former professional soccer player turned winemaker Luigi Valori on his organic vineyard. His charm is only matched by the stellar wines. In case travelers want to do anything else, a luxury sedan and driver on call is always available.

New Caravaggio Immersive Artist Experience Visits Haunts, Museums, Churches, Paintings & More on Exclusive Walking Tours
Art lovers traveling to Rome will enjoy the five-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese's new Caravaggio Experience, a complete immersion experience focusing on the work and the brief, intense life of the artist. Best known for his passionate and unsettling realism in large-scale works, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was “the father of Baroque painting.” Visiting 18 of his works, the Grand Tour Caravaggio experience includes a specialized guide who takes guests on exclusive walking tours of Caravaggio's Roman haunts as well as to several museums and Roman churches where some of his most widely-known pieces as well as hidden gems are kept. Additional activities, such as fencing school where guests can partake in the 1600s art of dueling with a venerable Master at Arms, and trainer of lead actor Alessio Boni of the film Caravaggio, can also be coordinated.

New Multigenerational Family Package Features Gladiator School, Gelato Workshop, Horseback Riding, Stargazing like Roman Astronomers & More Family Activities in The Eternal City
Families looking to get away together this summer will enjoy the five-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese's new multigenerational family package. With extended and groups of families in mind, the experience was created to bring multiple generations together while partaking in new travel experiences. Activities such as horseback riding down the ancient Appian Way, tour of the city's top gelato spots, as well as a yoga lesson for the adults in the adjacent Borghese gardens and a gladiator school experience for the kids are included. An evening picnic and stargazing experience to see and learn about constellations and celestial bodies, many of which who were given their names by Roman astronomers, is also a part of the hotel experience. Additional activities such as family-focused sightseeing to scout animals among the city's sites, Italian lessons, and a trip to the Bioparco di Roma zoo can also be coordinated by Sofitel Rome's Head Concierge and President of Rome Les Clefs d'Or. The package was created for a minimum of 12 people – 6 rooms in double occupancy. If 15 rooms are booked, families will receive private takeover of one of the hotel's floors.

New Roman Foodie Tour Developed in Conjunction with City's Leading Culinary Influencer
Guests staying at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese now have the opportunity to bite down hard on Rome's food scene with a new itinerary developed in conjunction with Davvero Rome, one of the city's leading culinary influencers and tour guides. The idea of the itinerary is to let travelers experience Italy not only through the eyes of a local but actually with locals during fun and authentic experiences. On Day 1, after checking in, culinary travelers will start with a sampling of three different gelateria styles and flavors ranging from one of the oldest and most classic, to a fun and wide variety, to a more recent type of gourmet gelato. The day concludes with free time for sightseeing and then an aperitivo and tasting dinner at Settimo, Sofitel Rome's rooftop restaurant. Day two highlights include visiting Mercato Trionfale, one of the best local food markets in Rome, as well as a pizza making class and Roman street food tour in Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere. The day ends with cocktails and live jazz. The next day travelers will enjoy horseback riding and a picnic lunch at Ostia Antica, an aperitivo tour around the Prati neighborhood by the Vatican, and dinner and drinks at a hot new opening like Argot Prati. Day four options include truffle hunting, wine tasting in Frascati or kayaking and lunch in Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence and vacation retreat for the pope. The final day starts off with coffee at the oldest café in Rome, around the corner from Santa Maria del Popolo church where you'll find some famous paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael inside. Then there's free time for sightseeing before lunch in Testaccio at Checchino 1887, one of the oldest restaurants in Rome where quinto quarto Roman cuisine was born. In the afternoon there is more time for exploring the city before a wine tasting and final night dinner of traditional Roman pasta. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese developed this foodie traveler's dream itinerary with Lauren Caramico of Davvero Rome. Originally from New York, Caramico moved to Italy in 2016. Her unique travel service, Davvero Rome (Rome for Real) creates customized itineraries for those traveling to Rome and Italy. She is able to connect travelers to only the most authentic Italian experiences and establishments but most importantly introduce them to the local Italians behind it all.

New Solo 'Scape Experience Includes Wardrobe Styling with a Top Italian Fashionista, Yoga Among the Ruins, Cooking Class with the Chef and Apericena with the President of Rome Les Clefs d'Or to Unlock the Eternal City's Secrets
An influx of US travelers taking off and traveling on their own due to flexible work conditions and the opening up of world borders encouraged Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese to create a new Solo 'Scape. The 4-night exclusive hotel experience allows travelers to discover everything Rome has to offer at their own pace, without feeling alone. On arrival, solo travelers can meet with Sofitel Rome's Head Concierge, Agostino Sità, for an authentic apericena (a combination of an aperitivo and dinner) on Settimo's rooftop overlooking the city. As the President of Rome Les Clefs d'Or, he unlocks all the secrets of the Eternal City and will arrange for the most exclusive experiences desired. Additional highlights of Solo 'Scape include a shopping tour with Italian fashion influencer Selvaggia Capizzi to top boutiques and private ateliers as well as private yoga lessons at some of Rome's most scenic locations taught by Barbara Capriotti, who has been practicing Hatha Yoga for over 20 years. Lastly, the package includes a private food market tour and a cooking lesson with Executive Chef, Giuseppe D'Alessio.

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese Accepted Into Global Luxury Travel Group Virtuoso®
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has been accepted into Virtuoso®'s exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,000 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. According to Edoardo Giuntoli, General Manager of Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, inclusion in Virtuoso will present new sales and marketing opportunities to the network's more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors and their highly desirable clientele.

New Rome for Repeat Visitors Guide, Plus Unique Hotel Experience Explores Hidden Gems, Villas & More
As travelers begin to return to the Eternal City, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has created a Rome for Repeat Visitors guide for its guests who've already explored the major sites. The guide digs deeper into Rome's history and culture at under the radar museums, parks, palaces, and churches. Highlights include rarely explored hidden gems like the Centrale Montemartini museum located in Rome's first power plant, a showcase of sculptures of Greek and Roman gods alongside relics of 20th-century machinery. Then, there is eclectic architecture in the neighborhood of Quartiere Coppedè and unobstructed sculptures and paintings in Villa Torlonia. Another must-see is the lesser-known but equally impressive Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, known by locals as the “big fountain” and actually inspired the form of the Trevi Fountain. In Trastevere, Villa Farnesina showcases a ceiling fresco by Raphael with scenes from the marriage of Cupid and Psyche. Along with the digital guide, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has put together a 5-night exclusive hotel experience that includes guided visits, a drive around the Eternal City in a vintage Fiat 500 as well as a whippy Vespa tour in and out of Rome's alleys. Whether travelers have been to Rome once or dozens of times before, there is always something new to discover in the open-air museum.

Mini Viaggi, Day Trip Luxury Adventures Feature Scenic Routes, Special Experiences
In partnership with Ultimate Driving Tours, an  industry leading provider of luxury driving adventure travel experiences, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is now offering a collection of Mini Viaggi day trips. Highlights of the new menu, with scenic route options ranging from north to south, include a drive among the vine-covered Lazio countryside to the Pope's summer residence, or along the wide streets of the EUR district, home of the Formula E (motorsport championship for electric cars), as well as a spirited cruise south to Pompeii along the Italian Autostrada. Ideal for small groups of family and friends, or incentive trips and executive meetings, the day trips also include special experiences, private tours and unique dining experiences. A WOW addition is a helicopter to Siena for a drive through the Tuscan countryside. Guests will drive Ultimate Driving Tours' fleet of the latest and greatest supercar models from Aston Martin, Bentley, and Ferrari, to Jaguar, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, and more.

Yoga Around Rome: Private Sessions at Top Scenic Locations
A new offering at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is a private 90 minute Hatha yoga class at some of Rome's most scenic locations. With the Yoga Around Rome offering, guests can choose from iconic spots like the Villa Borghese and Giardino degli Aranci (The Orange Trees Garden) or more hidden gems like Villa Torlonia, Villa Ada and Villa Doria Pamphili. Guests also have the option to opt for yoga on their suite terrace overlooking the Eternal City including St. Peter's Basilica and the Borghese gardens given the hotel's privileged location atop a hill. Classes are led by Italian Hatha yoga instructor and naturopath Barbara Capriotti. Yoga Around Rome is available to both hotel guests and the public starting at $200.

New Bellissima Experience with Top Italian Fashionista Features “The Works” from Wardrobe Styling to Jewelry, and Hair and Makeup by Celebrity Artist
The newest offering at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is a fashion experience featuring a private wardrobe curated by Italian fashion influencer Selvaggia Capizzi. Listed among the top influencers in Italy, Capizzi will take guests to and curate unique experiences at historical boutiques like Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Marni, and Margiela as well as new hot spots in the center of the city. Additionally, custom jewelry, celebrity hair and makeup artist for a night out with Italian society in the Eternal City, suite accommodations and VIP transportation from Rome Airport are included in the 5-night Bellissima Experience. Also included in the package is a private jewelry experience at the Cazzaniga studio off the famed Piazza del Popolo. The Italian family-owned atelier has serviced Rome since the 1920s. During the visit, guests will meet Paolo Cazzaniga, son of founder Angelo Giorgio Cazzaniga, to collaborate on a custom design. If the guest purchases a selection, they can don their wares during a night out among Italian society with Angelo's grandson Giorgio Cazzaniga. The evening will start at Cazzaniga's luxury private residence to learn more about the family history before venturing to dinner at one of Rome's hottest restaurants. A fashion experience wouldn't be complete without hair and makeup from Janita Helova who has styled every celebrity visiting Italy from Matt Helder of the indie rock band Arctic Monkeys and Princess Alexandra Massimo Di Roccasecca to Smokey and Frances Robinson. The 5-night Bellissima Fashion Experience starts at $7,500 USD per suite for two people.

New Extended “Workcation” w/ Yoga in the Borghese Gardens, Running through Roman Ruins, Italian Lessons & More
The five-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese offers a new Workcation Package providing endless opportunities for cultural enrichment and leisure to complement an efficient remote working environment. Guided by a former coach of Coni (Italian National Olympic Committee) that also happens to hold a post-graduate degree in Art History, the package includes a run or walk through the city with casual stops at the St. Peter's Square, Roman Forum and the Colosseum.  Additionally, fitness is tended to, with three Yoga Classes on one's suite terrace or in the nearby park of Villa Borghese. When it comes to wining and dining, a traditional Roman pasta making class with the hotel Executive Chef, Giuseppe D'Alessio, and Wine Tasting are also included. 10 hours of Italian lessons will make it easy for guests to talk their way around town and to eliminate the need to spend time researching hot spots and must dos, Virtual Concierge Service from the hotel's head concierge, president of Le Clefs D'Or Rome, is available for suggestions, recommendation, and planning both virtual and in presence. Private transfers to and from Fiumicino airport and 20% discount on Food & Beverage at the hotel completes the package. The Workcation Experience is valid for extended stays of 14 nights or longer.

Floral Experience with Rome's Premier Floral Designer, Virtual Tutorial Also Offered
Travelers visiting Rome can strengthen their green thumbs with Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese's new Floral Experience. Led by the Eternal City's premier Floral Designer, Flavia Bruni, the workshop includes practical tips in the art of flower arranging. Bruni guides guests with step-by-step instructions, expertise on flower varieties, care instructions, and more. Accompanied by prosecco and light bites, the experience is available at Settimo, the hotel's elegant garden-inspired rooftop restaurant, or on a guest's private suite terrace. An optional visit to the local flower market is also available. Recipient of the European Master Certification (EMC), Bruni is the only Italian floral designer recognized by the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD). As a preview, the hotel offers a virtual floral arrangement tutorial with Bruni - http://ow.ly/luzG50EC70z.

Roman Culture Experience Features Tea with a Princess, Gelato Workshop, Ancient Appian Way Bike Tour & More
Families or couples looking to live history will enjoy the five-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese's new Roman Culture Experience. Special exclusive activities included range from watercolor painting to an alfresco day trip via e-bike down the Appian Way, one of the oldest roads in history dating back to 312 BC. A gelato workshop with views of the Eternal City is also a highlight as is tea with a princess. Across the street from the hotel is Villa Aurora, the home to the only Caravaggio fresco in the world, Michelangelo's in the garden and many other oversized pieces of art. Here too is where the lady of the house, Principessa Boncompagni-Ludovisi, will partake in an afternoon tea party passionately retelling the villa and family's history. Families can also venture out on their own into Rome and enjoy other optional family-friendly activities like horticulture at Villa Borghese, gladiator school, and Castel Sant'Angelo.

$22K Over-The-Top Romance Experience Includes Roman Donkey Milk Bath, Private Tour to Admire Caravaggio's Only Fresco, Custom Jewelry, Helicopter to Countryside Vineyard & More
Treating every day like Valentine's Day, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese's Over-the-Top Romance Experience is available year-round for €20,000 (approximately $22,147 USD). Exclusive inclusions range from a bath for two in Roman donkey milk and an extravagant floral presentation in-suite from renowned Roman florist Flavia Bruni to a helicopter tour to one of Rome's countryside vineyards for a private tasting and picnic in the middle of the vineyard. A personal shopping experience with Cazzaniga, an Italian family-owned atelier who has serviced Rome since the 1920s, could result in a custom design of one of their hand-made jewelry. If the guest purchases a selection, they can don their wares during a night out among Italian society with descendent Giorgio Cazzaniga. The evening will start at Cazzaniga's luxury private residence to learn more about the family history before venturing to dinner at one of Rome's hottest restaurants. More included in the experience for history and art lovers is a private tour of the Boncompagni Ludovisi family-owned Villa Aurora to admire incomparable artwork in the form of Michelangelo sculptures and Caravaggio's only ceiling fresco. The experience rounds out with a nighttime drive through the city, past its illuminated monuments, including fountain Fontana dell'Acqua Paola and Giardino degli Aranci, and a Roman Holiday Movie Tour, where guests can see the most memorable locations from the Audrey Hepburn film on a vintage Vespa. Luxurious accommodations will be in Sofitel Rome's Venus or Cupid Suite, inspired by the Roman Divinities and with amenities befitting the gods to boot.

Blind Wine Tasting Experience for Groups Introduced
Enhancing the group experience, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese offers a blind wine tasting experience, keeping meeting and incentive attendees in the dark, wine wise, until each bottle is poured and professionally presented. A meticulous blend of Italian la dolce vita and French joie de vivre also seamlessly plays out in décor, cuisine and personal service at the five-star boutique hotel. For groups of 10 to 20, the two-hour tasting inspires with a selection of French and Italian wines chosen by the Master Sommelier who hosts the experience. After being served both reds and whites, blindfolded guests will be asked to identify key attributes and the origin of each through a series of questions answered by a hands-up vote. After each tasting, the sommelier shares insights into the production and appellations of the wine served, explaining the traditions, the grapes and barrels used, and the differences and the similarities that distinguish it from the rest. Informative and fun, the experience is designed for novices and aficionados alike, giving participants the opportunity to taste and assess wines without any preconceived notions of what they do or don't like during a friendly, spirited competition where everyone wins!

Exclusive 19th Century Experience Uncovers the Romantic Era of the Eternal City
A new experience available exclusively to Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese's guests showcases the Eternal City's most beloved monuments and historical sites from the 19th century. In partnership with one of Italy's leading Virtuoso agencies Imago Artis Travel, the walking tour unveils Rome's grandeur in the XIX century through the eyes of the period's most prominent figures. The private tour consists of visits to Romantic era artists' homes.  Poetic works from both John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley are on display at the Keats Shelley House, and Casa di Goethe, exhibits German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's written works as well as his personal art collection. The final stop of the tour ends at Canova Tadolini, where guests can enjoy a prosecco or traditional coffee while being surrounded by classical Roman statues created by the scholars of the great Italian sculptors of the 1800s. 

Visionary Architect and Designer Jean-Phillipe Nuel Juxtaposes City and Garden, French and Italian, Classicism and Opulence for Reimagined Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese
Situated in a former 19th century Roman palazzo, visionary architect Jean-Phillipe Nuel took inspiration from the building's original architecture as well as the landscaped gardens of the adjacent Villa Borghese to bring a fresh look in 2019. Italian and French cultures combine in a mixture of materials and textures, complemented by a neutral color palette with nature inspired tones. Fresh, white walls representing French classicism elegantly dance with vibrantly multi-colored marble floors, boasted with colorful rugs, which Nuel says teases a “baroque [expression] and Italian generosity.” The city and history of Rome are incorporated in its finishing touches. For example, in the hotel's 78 rooms and suites, guests gaze upon blue-hued ceilings, as if they were staring at a clear, afternoon sky. The luxurious element “recalls the great decorative tradition of Italian mansions,” Nuel explains. The rooms' wood floors, brass details, and Italian marble accents do the same. The restaurant was heavily inspired by the adjacent Villa Borghese, evident in a terrazzo flooring of floral patterns made with polychromatic marble fragments. Fabrics and their green palette boast the vegetal inspiration. A complete work of art, Nuel's vision boasts literal artwork, too: “There are many [pieces of art] that mix contemporary abstracts and realistic photography” throughout the hotel, he says. “Artwork extends the positioning of the hotel between tradition, history, and modernity.” The collection includes original pieces by artists such as Cyril Destrade, and photographs from Christian Basso and Véronique Durruty—and each piece is as striking as the unique room in which it is displayed.

About Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese:
Located on a quiet street in the center of Rome, near the renowned Borghese gardens and Villa Medici, the hotel is within walking distance of the Eternal City's main attractions. Inspired by the adjacent gardens, the five-star hotel's design in a former 19th-century Roman palazzo mixes materials and textures, complemented by a neutral color palette with nature-inspired tones. Rooms are of a contemporary design featuring light, bright tones and frescoed ceilings. Fine dining is available in the unique atmosphere of the Settimo restaurant, where a contemporary Roman menu is complemented by a roof terrace with panoramic views over the Eternal City. The hotel curates a plethora of unique activities, including a collection of Mini Viaggi day trips in luxury supercars, yoga around Rome at some of the city's most scenic locations, and a Bellissima Experience with a top Italian fashionista that features “the works”— everything from wardrobe styling to jewelry, and hair and makeup by a celebrity artist. Additionally, its new Rome for Repeat Visitors Guide features Rome's history and culture at under-the-radar museums, parks, palaces, and churches. For more information about Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, email h1312-re@sofitel.com or visit all.accor.com.