Golferenzo has just a few dozen residents, and even fewer in its historic centre. It is one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages: a handful of stone houses perched on the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, brimming with charm but home to few inhabitants (photo above). A few years ago, Luigi Brega and Paola Calonghi launched Borgo dei Gatti, an Albergo Diffuso occupying ancient rural homes, restored with a conservative approach that enhances their most authentic features.

Once the doors reopened, the houses soon filled with guests, encouraging the couple to push further: in 2020 they opened Corte del Lupo, a restaurant offering a contemporary take on local produce; the following year it was the turn of La Bottega del Lino, bringing a shop back to the village after 40 years; six months later, the historic restaurant-pizzeria L’Olmo reopened.