5 minutes from the Vatican in a tall palazzo above the British school. Owners share local tips, serve bakery-fresh breakfasts on the terrace

Gorgeously rural pub with rooms nestled in a leafy Somerset valley: sweet bedrooms, fantastic menus, and charming owners. Dog friendly, too

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

The views are green, both cottages are homely and comfortable and the gardens have direct access to the riverbank footpath for walks

A lovely modern Provençal house, light and welcoming, in a valley of vineyards and forest, tucked peacefully away from the coast

Comfortable Clifton home a hop from shops, restaurants, harbour ferry and the heart of Bristol. With easy-going hosts and great breakfasts

Dreamy, languid beauty at this spacious, airy, arty house with garden and pool in typical Pugliese countryside

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

Great for comfort, beauty, character and home baking. Borrow vintage bikes to explore Cambridge: Christine knows it inside out

Landscaped gardens, orchard and potager blend into Normandy countryside. Return from rural walks to a log fire and comfortable armchairs

Utter peace and quiet, a pool with a view, sunsets over the Cévennes and outdoor adventures on the doorstep - a hidden gem in the Gard

Two lovely places to stay down by the shore of Clew Bay for much peace, space and modern comforts in a magical watery world

A warm retreat in a charming Sussex backwater, with a changing menu of fabulous food, and well-furbished bedrooms upstairs

It's steeped in history and a joy to visit. Explore the vast pistes of Les Portes du Soleil... return to log fires and house-party dinners

A cosy cottage on a farm down a long winding track, wonderfully rural with footpaths across fields or along the canal

Families and walkers will be happy at this unfussy seaside retreat with beaches down the road and coastal paths right by your door

An 18th-century cottage for four on a working sheep farm: walk the Pentland Hills, get the bus to Edinburgh for culture

Spoiling bedrooms, good food, warm staff and the South West Coast Path tempting you from the doorstep. You and your dog will love it here