When you think of a traditional Italian village or ‘Borgo’, you don’t normally picture a luxury hotel, yet the innovative owners behind the latest resort sensation in southern Italy, Borgo Egnazia, have created a fully-fledged village in the centre of the resort, complete with cobblestone streets, piazza, a church and restaurants.

Opening in April this year, guests can become Italian locals by staying in one of the one or two bedroom townhouses in the Borgo at the Resort.

The Borgo is a modern reproduction of the stunning 5th Century BC city of Egnazia, which surrounds this resort in Puglia. Here, it is claimed that Horace famously quoted ‘Carpe Diem’ as he set off on the road to Rome, which starts not far from the Resort, and is said to go through Borgo Egnazia’s village, giving it even a great sense of place and history.

The memory of the ancient town of Egnazia is fully embraced at Borgo Egnazia. The cobblestone streets are reminiscent of its walkways, and the clearly-defined stonework evokes the elegance of traditional Apulian architecture. With 92 townhome suites, the village is ideal for families and groups of friends, it can even be hired on exclusive use for groups. The piazza will be the stage for regular concerts and film nights, while the restaurant houses a cooking school where a two-star Michelin chef will be enticing guests into pasta, pizza and Apulian cuisine heaven. There’s also a kid’s club in the Village, complete with British nannies – kids can chill out, or get out and about to explore the surrounding city of Egnazia just like Roman warriors or Greek goddesses of days gone by!

The much-anticipated April 2011 opening of the entire resort of Borgo Egnazia, including its Hotel and private villas, will enhance the growing portfolio of the San Domenico Hotel Group, owned by the Melpignano family. Along with the traditional Village, the April launch includes the opening of the OurSpace Children’s Club, the Egnathia Spa with its 1,800m