In a hamlet in the Loire countryside is a friendly estate with a family-sized gite, a shared saltwater pool and heaps of old-world charm

An adorable little 1800s cottage with a garden – simple, unpretentious and filled with the owner's colourful art on walls and lampshades

Two elegantly renovated spaces with wonderful views, lots of activities and large gardens for making memories with family and friends

Charming 15th-century farmhouse near Montrésor and Loches with immense lawns, orchards and a fabulous pool

Grand, elegant, sumptuous – a bucolic bolthole for happy holidays in much comfort, with stunning green views to lake and deer park

A handsome Grade II listed pub with rooms in the heart of one of England's best foodie towns

Close to the honeypots of Domme and Sarlat, a hideaway for 2 in an ancient French hamlet. The apartment is serene, the views are glorious

In tranquil Borgomaro, a wonderful hotel spread across three old buildings. Stylish rooms, a tempting pool and delicious Italian breakfasts…

Be warmly welcomed by your knowledgeable hosts at this eco-conscious lodge for four in the Dordogne. Immerse yourself in all things wine

Traditional and modern, verging on the opulent. Find a stone-flagged tap room for walkers, top modern food and Chatsworth-perfect bedrooms

An incredible living museum, dedicated to the history of Sicily and the arts. Stay in the main house or in a cottage in the fecund garden

A cosy, beautifully refurbished flat in a Georgian house bang in the middle of the unspoilt town with its pretty streets and houses

Such lovely views from this light-filled flat, built in the 19th century – curl up with a book and gaze out to sea

A country house, elegant and unstuffy, at the heart of a working Lazio olive farm. Lunch by the pool or unwind at the hot spring spa

Come for authentic restoration, chic Savoyard décor, breathtaking views of the Portes du Soleil, and a chairlift a 7-minute drive

A pleasing (not very little) place to stay in the heart of a wood within the unspoilt countryside of the South Downs National Park

A sweet little gîte for two in the centre of a dreamy medieval village. Happily private but with loads to explore from your door

A 15th-century courtyard hides a petite contemporary apartment – a fabulous base from which to explore the city and all its treasures