Construction work at the 124m euro (US$150m, £82m) Rocco Forte Verdura Golf and Spa Resort on the southern coast of Sicily is on schedule for the resort to open in March 2008.

The property will be the first golfing resort for the Rocco Forte group. Two 18-hole and one nine-hole golf course will be created by architect Kyle Phillips.

Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the resort will also have a private beach and offer 150 bedrooms, 50 suites, 50 luxury villas, a conference centre with a cinema and several restaurants.

The Verdura spa complex will incorporate 16 treatment rooms, a gym, a swimming pool, five thalassotherapy pools and a dietetic restaurant. Details: www.roccofortehotel.com