Restorative breaks

A true Provençal rural retreat. Rooms full of rustic charm, shady terrace for whiling away the hours, friendly staff. Lots of activities too

Magical – a simple Provençale cottage, its garden a flower-filled meadow fringed with woodland. Walk to the market, swim nearby, study stars

Great to hide away peacefully here - linger over breakfasts brought to your door, plunge in the pool, pedal off into the countryside

Grand riverside house on the edge of a small town near St Emilion; borrow a bike and explore the countryside or relax in the garden

Your charming Dutch hosts have brought this old house bang up-to-date. Village square views from the courtyard – just a stroll to the bakery

Perched high above the Dordogne valley, a B&B with warm-hearted hosts, a pool with a view, gorgeous homemade treats - and yoga

Stylish sustainability in star-hung Alicante: solar power, a hammock, pool, gorgeous rooms in the old stables. Dutch owners cook well

Delightful ground-floor apartment of eco villa with fine valley views, down the winding road from Montelparo. Wine tasting nearby!

Smart apartments set in a château with landscaped gardens, a lake and a small spa; the town centre and a wild beach are an easy stroll away

Seriously stylish apartment with endless views of Saunton Sands – dog-friendly luxury in a paradise for beachcombers

Serene 18th-century mansion in the historic centre of Avignon filled with eclectic art and surrounded by an immaculate garden

Down a pretty green lane surrounded by fields full of cows is a very old farmhouse with outbuildings - you stay in what was the hay barn

Perfectionist hosts make your stay memorable. Bedspreads are French boutis, floors are soft sisal, and the food and wines are fabulous

Great taste – in decor and food – and a delicious heated pool. Views swoop over field and valley; trails, villages, wineries tempt

Splash in the pool, enjoy the calm of a Mediterranean garden surrounded by vineyards, then tuck into a delicious homemade dinner...

Chic barn conversion with a swimming pool and country walks from the door; nearby Ventnor has a beach and great places to eat and drink

The ferry transports you from Trapani and in minutes you’re on the dusty track to the villa, within sniffing distance of the turquoise sea

An inspiring Breton château set on an estate on the banks of a river and with well-travelled, genial hosts; the coast is 15 minutes away