Go with the slow - homemade delights, no plastic anything, few mod cons - just relaxed humorous hosts and a beautiful place

Adorable cottages in pastoral peace with views to Wimborne Minster; cook and eat in modern kitchens. Blue flag beaches are close

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

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

View-filled apartments in Ortigia, the heart of Siracusa. Immerse yourself in the blue of the Ionian Sea; walk to culture, shops and restaurants

Retreat to a classically styled, elegant apartment for four - private and peaceful - in a characterful, super-central area of Rome

A pair of historic houses with far-reaching views of the Cotswold Hills and walks from the gate

A charming base in historic Beaulieu - expect delicious food, traditional country-house interiors, and walks that start from the front door

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

Peace, space and sophisticated living at a serene villa-apartment in the hills above Cannes

Thoughtful red brick barn conversion on a working farm. Peaceful, practical and within easy reach of outdoor activities

Understatedly stylish with French antiques, sofas and balconies overlooking town and gardens. A grown-ups' retreat, 200m from the ocean

A B&B with a soul, walks to thrill the heart. In these peaceful hills northwest of Como, views challenge you to keep your eyes on the road

Lovely views from this converted farmhouse in peaceful Lot countryside, with terrace, sheltered pool and nine acres of grounds to explore

Great for gatherings of family and friends: fine views, a good big kitchen, games room and pool; nearby caves and castles to explore

This old stone building, a former olive warehouse, is beautifully restored and sits on its own – a simple bolthole for rest and recuperation

Come to be looked after with delicious food and spoiling bedrooms in this mini stately home set in gorgeous parkland near Ludlow

Generous, fun house, perfect for family gatherings. Head down the hill for sandy beaches or let kids and dogs run wild on the Purbeck coast