A peaceful, very stylish bolthole for 2 on the doorstep of glorious Holyrood Park, with Edinburgh’s sights a stroll away

Come for peace, comfort and beauty in a sunny corner of Provence at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Cafes, market, restaurants a 15-minute stroll!

A country house, elegant and unstuffy, at the heart of a working Lazio olive farm. Lunch by the pool or unwind at the hot spring spa

Chocolate-box cottages in deepest Normandy, owned by bright young things with a passion for organic cuisine and the good life

Comfortable apartment steeped in Breton history, in a beautifully renovated gabarier’s house overlooking the marine estuary

Come for peace and quiet down a long lane, pretty buildings and big, beautifully-kept gardens with a secluded outdoor pool

A stylish, thoughtful and impressive place for a family holiday, in a dreamy Charentais landscape with the odd sheep to keep you company

Well-positioned winery for the whole of the Bordeaux region. Or stay put and learn about the Duhamels’ super organic Cotes de Bourg wines

Gracious Florentine hospitality, elegance and comfort, gazebo breakfasts, a flower-filled garden with pool and views of olive groves

A stunner of a setting for this restored croft house with long views to a sparkling loch and a lively village nearby. Good beaches too

Unwind in a beautiful old mill house on the banks of the Célé river, surrounded by high limestone cliffs for outstanding walks and wildlife

The beautiful Amalfi coast is the sublime setting for these two suites with a shared courtyard, citrus trees and stunning coastal views

Elegant Italian style in a sensitively-restored villa with sweeping views over rolling hills and forests

Remote and rural, this cosy cottage is a slice of Welsh heaven, with plenty to do and see just a short drive away

On top of sand dunes, this bright and airy cottage has glorious views, walks are lovely and you can bring your dog

Bags of character within and without at this four-storey village house with rooftop views over the mountains, next to a 12th-century church

Friendly hosts, good food and clever design in this house looking over Kilmartin Glen. Slow down, watch the sunrise and marvel at the peace

In the “green heart” of Italy: great hosts, dreamy views, super pool, and food to fall in love with, including vegetarian