Between Penzance & Helston, close to Praa Sands, is a beautiful bolthole for 6. Good for garden lovers & peace-seekers – dog-friendly too

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

Hideaway at the bottom of the garden with a little courtyard and far-reaching views; walk to the village pub or take a day trip to Bath

A clutch of airy properties, most with their own jasmine-scented terraces arranged around a funky pool

An 18th-century limestone barn, now a quiet hideaway for a group of friends or family in a very rural spot surrounded by fields and woods

A large tranquil apartment with garden and pool surrounded by Tuscan countryside, just over half an hour's drive from Siena

A beautiful little house in a corner of the garden: walk for miles or just to the local pub, barbecue on the deck with its rural views

Lovely owners have created this quirky space on their farm; side-by-side al fresco baths make it romantic for two

Come for excellent food, warm interiors and nicely priced rooms in this light old Rectory with a pretty terrace for summer drinks

Visit Florence, Arezzo, Siena… or revel in the beauty and peace of Casa Zia, surrounded by wilderness and lovely birdsong

Superbly comfortable house with beamed rooms, lovely views, club-like morning room, antiques, terrace, pool, fitness centre and lily pond

A very tastefully restored old stone stable on a gloriously rural estate with woodland gardens, lake and a deer park

A place of peace in the hills and a view-filled base for exploring by bike or for experiencing Reiki, meditation, yoga and more

A rather grand, opulent house with warm owners, interesting furniture and art and some fine Renaissance architectural elements intact

Family-friendly hotel on Ullswater with a pool and a variety of bedrooms, some super-cool - swim in the lake, walk in the hills, eat well

Tranquil stone house with a rustic feel, a large garden with a swimming pool and views of the French Riviera and out to sea

A cool little inn lost in beautiful hills, child- and dog-friendly, with happy staff and award-winning food

An exquisite, serene B&B with sweeping views, tucked between hills, vineyards and meadows and the ancient remains of a Benedictine abbey