There is no name that evokes the extravagance and opulence of Imperial Russia more than Carl Fabergé, goldsmith to the Romanov dynasty. Painstakingly crafted by hand from gold and platinum and decorated with thousands of glittering diamonds and finished with exquisite details, Fabergé’s Imperial Eggs are truly breathtaking. From 1885 until the revolution he produced 50 eggs for the Imperial Russian court, 43 of which still survive today.
Hotel Astoria celebrates the remarkable legacy of Faberge with its Exquisite St Petersburg package. Live like royalty with an exceptional 3-night stay in the Presidential suite, and be treated to a private, after-hours tour of the Faberge Museum followed by an elegant Champagne reception and special ballet performance. In addition to a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Rose, a 5-course dinner served in your private dining room and an exclusive Fabergé Winter Rose dessert, guests will be given their own piece of Faberge to take home, with stunning diamond cufflinks for men and an exquisite diamond pendant for women.
Renowned all over the world, Fabergé’s rise to fame was meteoric. While Fabergé eggs were reserved for the Imperial Court, his team produced jewellery and objects of the highest quality for Russian and European nobility, with stores in London, Moscow and Kiev. In order to maintain his success, he had to be pioneering, and developed an innovative enamelling technique, layering multiple coloured enamels on top of each other to stunning effect.
Today, the Fabergé Museum in St Petersburg houses the largest collection of his work, including nine of those famous eggs. The shimmering white museum, set in a former palace, is the perfect place to discover the magic and timeless allure of this celebrated designer.
Experience the magic and wonder of Faberge as part of Hotel Astoria’s Exquisite St Petersburg package. For reservations please contact +7 812 494 51 37 or email reservations.astoria@roccofortehotels.com.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
This summer, Masseria Torre Maizza turns up the volume on a cause that needs our attention. Save the Olives, a non-profit organisation championed by Dame Helen Mirren, whose mission is to raise awareness of Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium devastating Puglia’s olive trees and impacting the local economy and ecosystem. In support, we have devised an incredible calendar of music and art amidst our Masseria’s olive groves – a poignant setting, grounded in the cause.
