Watercolour painting holidays in Rome
Away from the buzz via del Babuino, Rome’s chicest shopping street, The Rocco Forte Collection’s Hotel de Russie offers the opportunity to brush up on one’s painting skills, with a two-hour lesson in watercolour painting conducted in the hotel’s unexpected, magical, secret courtyard garden.
The art classes are available exclusively to guests of the Hotel de Russie. The two-hour lesson is taught by specialists from the Accademia del Superfluo in Rome, and starts with a brief introduction to watercolour painting, first practised during the Renaissance, followed by a lesson in technique which allows guest artists to paint aspects of the garden. Artists with any amount of experience are warmly welcomed.
The Secret Garden, designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in 1814, has architectural pieces, meandering walkways, green areas and a small waterfall cascading between three nymphaeums (monuments dedicated to water nymphs). Artists can sit among towering pines, orange trees and white and cream clusters of old roses, in an environment that is completely charming, unexpectedly peaceful and decidedly conducive to practising alfresco watercolour painting.
With three beautiful locations in Italy – Hotel de Russie in Rome, Hotel Savoy in Florence, and Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily – The Rocco Forte Collection has witnessed a significant increase in tourism from the Middle East to Italy.
“Italy is a popular destination for visitors from the Middle East during summer, offering a wealth of art, fashion and fine dining, as well as a refreshing change from the high temperatures. The exchange rate with the euro is currently more favourable for visitors, giving them more value for money,” said The Rocco Forte Collection’s Middle East Sales Director, Adel Soukah,
Lessons can be booked any day from Monday to Saturday during June, July, September and October. A lesson costs €400 for up to four people, with additional guests €50 each, up to a maximum of eight and participating artists will take home the results of their work, as well as prints of two paintings by the well known Italian artist Roberto Lucifero, who is founder and art director of Studio Lucifero.
Accommodation at the luxurious and elegant Hotel de Russie starts at €510 + 10% VAT a night for a Classic Double (room only).
Emirates Airlines has direct daily flights from Dubai to Rome. Etihad Airways operates five direct services to Milan (Malpensa) per week and has recently announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alitalia that confirms the airlines’ intention to operate a codeshare agreement from the start of the northern summer season, commencing from April 2010. This will allow Etihad customers to fly to two new Italian destinations, Rome and Naples.
For further information or to book, visit: roccofortecollection.com
