“To see the sun sink down, drowned on his pink and purple and golden floods, and overwhelm Florence with tides of color that make all the sharp lines dim and faint and turn the solid city to a city of dreams, is a sight to stir the coldest nature.” - wrote Mark Twain in The Innocents Abroad, quite mesmerized by Florence in 1869. Since then, Florence has been capturing the hearts of all who travel there.
This autumn, loved ones may be whisked away to Florence, to fall in love all over again and enjoy a dreamy getaway at Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel. For those wanting to impress with an unforgettable proposal, Hotel Savoy will make dreams come true and organize the most romantic evening they have ever experienced.
Begin the evening with a private boat ride on a traditional “barchetto”, the Florence gondola, at sunset. The Florentine Renaiolo will guide guests on a memorable tour along the Arno river. While sipping the best Tuscan wine and enjoying the view of the Italian city of love, the barchetto will slow down under the charming Ponte Vecchio creating the most romantic fairytale location for a proposal.
Next, a visit to Loretta Caponi’s atelier. Loretta Caponi is Italy’s renown Regina del Ricamo - “Queen of Embroidery” - recognized for her delicate finery and handcrafted artistry that has wooed empresses and emirs around the world. Savoy’s guests will have the privilege of a private appointment to access the atelier, admire the most exquisite and embroidered linens and handmade lingerie and choose their personalized and customized night wear by Caponi’s own vintage prints and styles.
To complete the evening, guests can return to Hotel Savoy for an exclusive private dinner in the Presidential Suite, which occupies its own wing and has splendid views of Brunelleschi’s stunning Cupola and Giotto’s Campanile. Take in the candle lit surrounds, enjoying the authentic Tuscan cuisine and live music entertainment. Guests can build their personalized food and wine experience together with the Head Chef and culinary team at Irene Restaurant, creating their very own menu for the unique occasion.
To seal the promise of love, or simply to celebrate the moment with the most symbolic of tokens, guests at Savoy can choose to gift a ring, custom made according to guests preferences by Count Simone Rucellai, one of Florence’s most well known jewelry designers, whose artisanal business “Aloisia” has been creating precious custom made treasures for over half a century.
If further discovery is desired, just a short drive from Hotel Savoy, the elegant Maiano's Tower stands at the head of a diminutive lake within the botanic gardens of Fattoria di Maiano, dating back to 1844. Together with Hotel Savoy, the owners of the tower have created a private dining experience for the guests to enjoy in the heart of this striking location: beside the Lake of Columns. The twinkling lights of Maiano’s Tower illuminate the lake and form a stunning backdrop to a memorable candle-lit dinner in the heart of the botanic garden. A private chef will serve up a personalized menu crafted with fresh seasonal produce for you to enjoy in this postcard-perfect setting, ideal for a proposal or for celebrating an anniversary or special occasion.
