Set on the coast of Palermo, Villa Igiea has long been one of Sicily’s most captivating destinations. Steeped in Sicilian society history and glamour from another time, the restored palazzo provided the backdrop for the Melissa Odabash Pre-Cruise 2027 collection, photographed among its terracotta terraces, verdant gardens and the azure Mediterranean Sea. As Melissa unveils her newest range, discover this storied piece of Sicily.

 

Villa Igiea exterior

 

A Sicilian Icon

 

Villa Igiea’s story begins at the turn of the 20th century, when the palazzo was acquired by Sicily’s influential Florio family. Commissioning respected architect Ernesto Basile to transform the property in Palermo’s distinctive Liberty style, the Florios converted the villa into a lavish oasis that quickly became a staple of Belle Époque society. Throughout the years, European royalty and aristocracy made their appearances, while sumptuous dinners and evenings on the property cemented Villa Igiea’s status within Sicily’s golden age.

 

Villa Igiea postcard


Set between the city and the Mediterranean, luscious gardens fall towards the sea, with towering palms, aged stone and sweeping views across the Gulf of Palermo. Here, the grandeur of the property adds to a uniquely Sicilian sense of ease, creating a secluded haven just steps from the heart of the action. With Villa Igiea feeling worlds away, the energy of Palermo remains palpable and all-consuming.

 

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A New Era for Villa Igiea

 

Now part of Rocco Forte Hotels, Villa Igiea reopened after an extensive restoration in 2021, preserving its glorious past while welcoming a new era. Original frescoes and ornate Liberty details remain intact, seamlessly combined with contemporary interiors inspired by a traditional Sicilian colour palette and local techniques. Today, it feels neither frozen in time nor entirely new, rather like a natural continuation of the villa’s illustrious history.

More than a century later, the allure of Villa Igiea lives on. For Pre-Cruise 2027, Melissa brings her signature approach to Mediterranean style to one of Sicily’s most iconic locations. A fitting meeting of past and present, set beneath the Sicilian sun.