A fine designer house and pool above the coastal hurly-burly and one of the loveliest coves in Spain, backing onto a nature park. Happy hols

Float in the infinity pool above the canyon, dine under the stars, revel in the silence, head to the Cavagrande di Cassibile Nature Reserve

A light, bright, art-filled space with private garden on a quiet residential street just a short walk from shops, markets and good food

A red-brick cottage and Shepherd’s hut in a magical garden with a cookery school and views over the South Downs

Beautiful, and with a delightfully rambling garden, this early 16th-century manor has bags of room for happy days with family or friends

A botanical beauty deep in the Loire Valley, this elegant house has history and heart in abundance

Gather the clans and just come. It's lovely here among acres of wildlife-filled grounds – a Sawday's Community Champion

A wisteria-laden pergola shades the sunny side of the farmhouse - in gentle olive country near the Sibillini Park, not far from the Adriatic

Generous simplicity and organic farm cooking in this rustic Tuscan farm with library, yoga, family apartments and natural lily-dotted pond

An ideal stopover at a handsome 1790 house on the edge of a small village surrounded by beautiful countryside and with friendly young owners

Come to recharge in the lovely Loire valley at this fine château surrounded by mature gardens and green countryside

Come to a gorgeous bolthole, just for two, in a sleepy riverside village with the delights of the Corrèze at your feet

A peaceful grown-up place circled by meadows and woodland with helpful owners next door – a superb spot to explore the south-west

A small top terrace can be booked for romantic evenings and you can lunch or dinner at the delightful floating restaurant

Charming, simple and elegant B&B with a lovely garden and kind owners in an area renowned for its good wine and food

A grand, 16th-century Breton château complete with dovecote, turret and chapel surrounded by 50 acres of parkland, woods and small lake

A tucked-away and peaceful retreat from which to explore the beautiful Dordogne or simply to unwind and recharge

A bright and beautiful six-bedroom house with lovely mature gardens in the glorious Lake District: bring your entire tribe plus the dog