Berlin, Hotel de Rome Brussels, Hotel Amigo Edinburgh, The Balmoral Florence, Hotel Savoy Frankfurt, Villa Kennedy London, Brown’s Hotel Manchester, The Lowry Hotel Munich, The Charles Hotel Rome, Hotel de Russie Sicily, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort St Petersburg, Hotel Astoria Future Openings: Jeddah Marrakech Luxor Cairo www.roccofortehotels.com SICILY SALINA AEOLIAN LIPARI ISLANDS VULCANO San Martino Messina THE PALERMO Falcone-Borsellino EGADI Soluntum Monreale Cefalù ESSENCE ISLANDS Érice Bagherìa Tràpani Castellammare del Golfo OF SICILY Mistretta Segesta Taormina Mozia Corleone Mount Etna Giardini Naxos Prizzi SICC LY Campobello di Mazara Acireale Mazara d. Vallo Selinunte Caltabellotta Cave di Cusa VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT Catania Sciacca Eraclea Minoa Piazza Armerina Mistretta Agrigento Scala dei Turchi Augusta Porto Empèdocle Caltagirone Sicily’s location at the of Italy, this is also a place Pantalica crossroads between Europe, where food, families and Syracuse Africa and the Middle East festivities converge Gela has attracted numerous to create a warm and Ragusa cultures, all of which have convivial welcome. Noto left their mark on the Verdura Golf & Spa Modica island. As a result, it has art, Resort is located on the architecture, traditions and south coast, between the Marzamemi languages that overlap in a Valley of the Temples in fascinating way. At heart, it Agrigento and the artisan is rugged, rural and historic: town of Sciacca. The island N its olive groves, vineyards is easily accessible from PELAGIC and orange plantations all points of the compass, ISLANDS MALTA 200km 60km fl ourish in the hot climate with direct fl ights from between rocky mountain numerous International and ranges, but never too far Italian airports into Trapani, from the sea. Today, as part Palermo and Catania. EXPLORING Verdura is well-positioned for is just over an hour’s drive, and a THE ISLAND exploring Sicily. You can fi nd trip here could take in Monreale, hilltowns with panoramic views, with its extraordinary gold mosaic Renaissance palaces and piazzas, cathedral, and the Zingaro Nature important ancient monuments, and Reserve. Taormina is the principal seaside villages with sandy beaches. town in the east: a stylish springboard Discover thermal springs, castles for visiting Mount Etna. Trapani, so and churches in nearby Sciacca, an close to Africa, is another place artisan town with a famous carnival to see Sicily’s fascinating mix of each Spring. Agrigento, a little cultures. The Aeolian, Egadi and further, was a key city of ancient Pelagian islands are reached by Greece, and teaches us much hydrofoil or ferry, and it is also through its well-preserved Valley possible to organise excursions to of the Temples. Selinunte’s gigantic go bicycle riding, bird watching, ruins are also archaeologically fi shing, horse riding, kite surfi ng, as signifi cant. The capital, Palermo, a well as a jeep adventure, private mine of artistic and cultural interest, fl ight or wine tour. Sir Rocco Forte and Olga Polizzi ‘There was nowhere else in Europe which offered the kind of resort that I was seeking. Verdura’s majestic 570-acre site, sitting on 1.8 kilometres of coastline, offers the perfect environment for holidaymakers and golfers alike. Kyle Phillips’s Kyle Phillips creation of two championship courses lives up to the highest of my expectations.’ Sir Rocco Forte THE PEOPLE BEHIND VERDURA Sir Rocco Forte is chairman and Olga Polizzi, as Rocco Forte Hotels’ Flavio Albanese, a renowned Designer Kyle Phillips has created CEO of Rocco Forte Hotels, a Director of Design, has brought Italian architect who has worked two magnifi cent 18-hole brand he established in 1996 to an experienced hand to bear on extensively in Sicily, brought his championship golf courses and a create luxurious and memorable the look and feel of Verdura. unique sensibility to the project. nine-hole par 3 course at Verdura. experiences for guests. Each hotel It combines true luxury with He was determined that the Kyle, famous for his design of has its own personality, refl ecting practicality. There is a keen sense property should fi t the environment links courses such as Kingsbarns its location, but all share the of place with a contemporary edge, and he achieved this by using Golf Links in Scotland, has again highest levels of service together together with a simplicity that is local materials, Mediterranean delivered a world-class seaside with award-winning design and in keeping with the local culture. colour and the geometrically course that refl ects the rich the latest technology. A keen Olga Polizzi has shaped the design square lines that are to be found traditions of the game. Every sportsman with a lifelong passion and interiors of all of Rocco Forte in simple dwellings all over Sicily. hole offers sweeping views of for golf, Sir Rocco was inspired to properties and has won numerous The whole resort is designed the Mediterranean Sea, within an develop the brand’s fi rst resort, accolades for her work. to provide luxurious spaces. amphitheatre of Sicilian mountains. combining beautiful landscapes with stunning architecture and Flavio Albanese cutting-edge facilities. Dipping its toes in the sparkling and spa facilities, friendly children’s waters of the Mediterranean, clubs, and elegant restaurants and surrounded by indigenous and bars, each with a different lemon and orange groves, ambience. Above all, it benefi ts Verdura Golf & Spa Resort brings from huge, wide-open spaces in together luxurious and stylish which to move, breathe, relax and accommodation, world-class golf enjoy the outstanding service. VERDURA: AN INTRODUCTION TORRE VERDURA. CENTRO. RESORT STAZIONE TENNIS COURTS GOLF CLUBHOUSE, PRIVATE VERDURA RECEPTION, PRIVATE 175 H ECTA R ES ARRIVALS & FOOTBALL PROPOSED RESTAURANT, BARS VERDURA SPA. EVENTS & KIDS CONCIERGE, HOTEL BEACH BEACH & VILLAS LOUNGE PITCH VILLAS & BOUTIQUES VITA HEALTH CONFERENCES CLUB DINING & BAR COMPLEX RESTAURANT WATER SPORTS 55 HECTARES Luxurious space, intelligent design, maiolica tile, is used to comfort and privacy characterise accentuate the soft furnishings, the 203 rooms at Verdura, of which and the lights and furniture are 50 are suites. These include a custom-made in Italy. Roomy Presidential Suite with wraparound bathrooms in pale stone are terrace and private pool, and two accessorised with natural luxury very spacious Ambassador Suites. bath products and accessed Created by Olga Polizzi, the interiors via walk-through wardrobes. are pared-down and contemporary, Some rooms have courtyards yet unmistakably rooted in Sicilian planted with orange trees; culture. A warm botanical motif, all have private terraces or drawn from an antique Sicilian balconies overlooking the sea. THE ROOMS AND SUITES UNMISTAKABLY GREAT TASTE Verdura has four characterful spa; or vibrant cocktails accompanied restaurants and the same number by Mediterranean tapas. Award- of bars, all in exquisite settings with winning chef Fulvio Pierangelini has outdoor terraces and views over the created inspiring menus showcasing sea or hills. Each offers a different the abundant natural produce of the experience, in which you can enjoy island - olive oil, oranges, lemons, fi ne dining à la carte; relaxed, trattoria- freshly caught fi sh, tomatoes and style food; home-made pizzas; all-day much more - accompanied by a fi ne snacks by the pool, beach, golf club or selection of Sicilian wines. HOLIDAYSHOLHOOLIDOLOLIDL FOFFOROROR ALL Verdura has been carefully Older children can book in to play designed as a family-friendly tennis on one of the six clay courts, environment, an achievement participate in golf clinics or take recognised by the travel awards it private lessons with the pros at has won for its excellent facilities the Golf and Tennis Academies. and children’s programmes. There is a lively beach scene, a Within its secure setting, the resort children’s pool, and the main provides space and freedom as 60-metre pool. For ease, bicycles well as structure and essential are available for travelling around support. Complimentary clubs for the resort. Further afi eld, there are children (4-12) and teenagers offer nature reserves to be discovered, supervised play, swimming, water riding and cycling trails, and sports, beach fun and weekly beautiful beaches for picnic changing activities. expeditions. With year-round warm weather Cool off in the Mediterranean and exquisite natural surroundings, courtesy of the Water Sports Centre, Verdura is the perfect place to where guests will fi nd everything enjoy a favourite leisure activity, or they need: from fi ns, snorkels, learn a new one. In addition to windsurf and stand-up paddling fi rst-class golf, there is a healthy boards to canoes and sailing boats, range of other sports including all with expert instruction. Explore beach volleyball and weekly football the rich fl avours of Sicily’s cuisine games between staff and guests. with cooking classes held by the Play tennis on the clay courts of the resort’s culinary experts, wine- Sunball Tennis Academy, which has tasting lessons and mixology classes its own clubhouse and professional featuring handpicked ingredients coaching squad for personal tuition. from Verdura’s vegetable garden. ACTIVITIES FOR ALL A WORLD-CLASS GOLF DESTINATION Kyle Phillips has created the two 18-hole courses, an exciting and beautiful The East and The West, new golf destination challenge golfers of all at Verdura. The links-style abilities (there are fi ve tee golf courses, using the positions on each hole). A natural, green contours of nine-hole par-3 appeals to the landscape and planted novices and juniors; there with indigenous trees and is also a fi rst-rate practice shrubs, are warmed by and teaching facility. This the Mediterranean sun is golf on a grand scale, and refreshed by the sea with the personal service breeze. Guests can play and attention to detail on the 2012 Sicilian Open usually more associated championship course; with a private club.