Elegance and ease mark this gentle group of Loire-Valley buildings, with soft-textured interiors and the owners’ fine hospitality and food

A cosy and pretty old cottage for rest or romance, with garden and pool in a small hamlet surrounded by walnut orchards and mixed woodland

A honey-hued family home clad with vines and roses with a swimming pool and heaps of space – perfect for families

Charming gardens for you and your dog in a barn conversion in rural Norfolk half an hour from coast

Wooded, lakeside retreat for 1 or 2 – big windows, huge terrace, wood-burner, wide screen. The Jurassic coast a cross-country walk away

A grand, pale stone townhouse in the centre of lively Épernay with plenty of good restaurants nearby

Inspiring scenery for this lavender farm near a Provençal village. Rustic eco-friendly cottages, a hump-backed bridge, a hammock by the pool

If you need a great place in which to relax and don’t want to pay too much for it, try these excellent suites, which spoil you all the way

A tempting trio of retreats with unlimited access to exceptional gardens, and a welcome homemade cream tea. Come as a pair, or a small group

An elegant townhouse, built in 1830 and once the sous-préfecture for Rochefort, with spacious, light-filled rooms and a garden with pool

Come for sublime Highland scenery, birds and wildlife, long walks and complete peace and tranquillity

Nature lovers will be tempted to this gem of a village cottage in the Duddon Valley – a truly peaceful slice of the Lakes

Birdwatchers and artists delight: acres of peaceful land, close to some of Cornwall’s finest galleries – and the sea

Historic 19th-century maison de maître, perfect for a gathering of friends, within walking distance of the old town’s charms

Generous, convivial space for big gatherings. A fantastic pool, plenty of outdoor space, and fun and games to keep everyone entertained

Heart-warming B&B with hosts who are endlessly thoughtful. The food is exotic, organic, delicious and families are made very welcome

Splash under the Elephant Arch, take a boat to the caves, set off for Tunisia! Then it’s back to a super-private room by the sea

Homely furnishings and 17th-century charm at this estate on the Severn, whose owners are mad about horses and give you fine home produce