Milan Fashion Week is upon us again (September 21-26), and Italy’s capital of style will be teeming with la bella figuras (but then…when is it not?). But Rome’s beauties are centuries older, and still look as gorgeous as ever. So after the shows, we’re always keen for a zip down to the Eternal City, to take in beauty of a more historical sort.

And we always find ourselves checking in to the impossibly chic Hotel de Russie. One of the jewels of the venerated Rocco Forte Collection, we are ever taken in by its ethereal 18^th Century terraced gardens, its elegantly sexy rooms and its buzzy Tridente location (just up the road from the Piazza di Spagna).  No surprise, a continuous parade of famous faces, including Jennifer Aniston, Viggo Mortensen and Posh & Becks (Morrissey even lived there during his “Roman Period”) have all called it home in The Eternal City. But most of all, we love de Russie for its glorious staff, who have here created this perfect post-Milan itinerary for the stressed out fashionista.

The MAXXI Museum

The newest contemporary art museum of Rome, in the northern district of Flaminio, is one of the most challenging projects of the late architect Zaha Hadid. A current exhibition, EXTRAORDINARY VISIONS. L’ITALIA CI GUARDA, shows 40 major photographers’ visions of Italy.

Art Running Experience 

Experience the splendor of Rome and get fit with a unique jogging experience through the Eternal City with Art Running. Danilo Palmucci, World Triathlon Champion for his age group, will whip you into shape whilst showing you some of Rome’s most secret corners. It can be booked through the hotel.

Monti Artisan Tour 

For an under-the-radar experience, mount an excursion and walking tour of Monti, one of the hippest districts of the city. It is a whole and encompassing experience, including art, shopping, craft and gastronomy. Located just south over the Quirinal Hill from the historic center, here on the parallel streets of Via dei Serpenti and Via del Boschetto, as well as Via Panispern, you’ll find a fleet of artisanal and one-of-a-kind items, as well as the vintage and unknown.

Ginger Restaurant

A contemporary fresh alternative to the traditional trattoria or local Italian restaurants that you will find all over the city. Fashionable with creative locals, and with a particular emphasis on organic ingredients, it has a bright, elegant bistro-style atmosphere inside and beautiful alfresco dining on the cobblestone street outside. They serve fresh local foods including gourmet sandwiches and salads and a wonderful selection of cheeses from around the world. They also have a popular aperitivo hour and an excellent wine selection.

Check-In

Hotel De Russie Deluxe Garden View Room 

With these glorious rooms having a view onto the hotel’s stunning, hidden gardens, it’s easy to forget that de Russie sits on one of the liveliest shopping streets in Rome. Bonus: the gorgeous marble bathrooms are done up with Roman-style mosaics.

Destress

At the hotel’s Wellness Zone, treat yourself to the Ancient Roman Foot Ritual – the perfect recovery from darting around Milan from show to show.

Drinks

De Russie’s ever fashionable Stravinskji Bar is always buzzing with the famous and fabulous. Inside is all classy contemporary elegance and soft lighting, and outside, the cobbled courtyard faces the hotel’s spectacular terraced gardens. Aperitivo hour is particularly chic.