A hamlet of restored rural buildings in the Ortolo valley in Corsica reopened in June as A Mandria di Murtoli. Guests can stay in a former sheepfold, stable or barn, or one of five rooms in the main house. Three of the smaller properties have private pools, all rooms have terraces and there is a big shared pool. The buildings have been refurbished by Corsican craftspeople in a minimalist Mediterranean style, using local materials.
Borgo Laudato Si' sits within the historic Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo, which dates back to the 17th century and has been a summer residence and vacation retreat for popes. The site, steeped in nearly 2,000 years of history, encompasses gardens, agricultural and farming land, and a solar-powered greenhouse modeled after St. Peter's Square's iconic colonnade. The greenhouse will supply ingredients for the restaurant, while Borgo Laudato Si' also offers training programs in organic farming, winemaking, olive harvesting, and more.