Chatty Madame is a superb cook, and her pretty house and garden in a quiet Yvelines village are equally delicious. Zip to Paris by train

A beautifully restored old coaching inn with a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, great food, friendly staff and super-swish bedrooms

Built in the 1800s, a charming stone house on the Penicuik Estate with views over woodland and hills and calming, beautiful interiors

In off-the-beaten-track Tuscany, 2 peaceful apartments in a former haybarn, both carefully renovated with antique furniture

A fortified castle in parkland, built mostly in the 1300s on the Montbazens plateau, near to the stunning Averyon gorges

Up at the top of Scotland’s west coast, a small, stylish and welcoming hotel with lovely owners and some nicely priced rooms

Light-and-colour filled cottage with gardens and sea views on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, a short stroll from Chesil Beach

Superbly renovated rooms in a famous town-centre inn at the heart of the Loire châteaux region, excellent food

Your own cottage on a wine estate in a very beautiful part of the South Downs, famed for world-class sparkling wines and good food

A pretty upside-down cottage, formerly a dovecote, lovingly restored with sustainability the focus

This civilised bolthole offers a quiet retreat, castle views and the magic of Edinburgh on your doorstep

Great gulps of ozone will engulf you at this architect-designed 1960s beach house - light, bright and sparkling, just like the ocean

This B&B is a superb base to explore the island's glittering bays, vibrant coastal cities, mountains, valleys and forests

An exquisitely restored 1850s townhouse, steeped in history, with a sweet garden and within walking distance of the historic centre of Porto

A beautifully-designed wooden lodge with hot tub on the deck, glass-front wood-burner, plenty of space and complete immersion in nature

An authentic, charming and spacious home with garden, pool and lake, deep in the Dordogne valley and decorated with uncluttered elegance

3 lovely cottages in the heart of Cognac vines for cosy nights by the fire and summer barbecues by the pool

A delightful retreat perfectly placed for walking, cycling and visiting some of the region’s most popular sights