Surrounded by wildlife and water, this ultra-modern house has huge windows, white walls and designer furnishings. Blissfully remote

The wow factor is set to eleven at this magnificent château steeped in French history and surrounded by acres of land (and a moat)

Feel French in this very beautiful 300-year-old house with a large garden and pool in a hilltop medieval village of winding, cobbled streets

Unwind here with wine tours, tastings, long walks, bird watching, cycling, or just chilling.Sleep peacefully, feel at home

Two restored mill buildings in the serene French countryside, with river views and artful interiors – a peaceful self-catering escape

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

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

Converted barn with the most welcoming owners – the garden and pool are all yours; explore a less touristy part of the Dordogne

This elegantly restored house with stunning views to snow-capped peaks is a testament to the owners' love of art and antiques

This deeply peaceful retreat will soothe the soul; come to walk, bike, sail then back to a roaring fire and good book. A sublime spot

Unusual and exciting ex-Forestry Service station, now a contemporary eco lodge with huge windows and terraces for the views

An elegant townhouse made up of two apartments on a lively piazza a short stroll from the sea. Live like a local in pretty Monopoli

An entire literary estate on the Brittany coast, with a trio of restored houses, fabulous gardens and a private path to the beach

Friendly host, Georgian elegance, welcoming sitting room and bedrooms, tasty breakfasts: the perfect city break in Scotland’s capital

Immersed in nature, high in the magnificent Cheviot Hills, this wooden-clad off-grid cottage has sleek, modern interiors and grand views

Walkers, bikers, families and nature fans will love staying with ever-helpful Joan and Montse in this secluded but not too remote valley

A stately retreat, an oasis of calm and beauty. Picnic on the lawns, enjoy a glass of home-produced prosecco beneath a centuries-old tree

A traditional croft house with far-reaching views to the Luskentyre estuary and Taransay for beaches, walks, wildlife and exploring