A stunning veranda wraps itself around the house: doze off in a wicker armchair or sip a drink at dusk as the sun melts into the valley

An eye-catching ancient inn with a colourful flower garden in summer, delicious local food and very presentable bedrooms

A sylvan hideaway tucked into the hills of the Southern Alps, full of Provençal charm inside and out – Saint-Cézaire and the coast are close

Down a track with a delightfully remote feel but near to the coast and with good walking and cycling; views out to sea are awesome

Dreamy, languid beauty at this spacious, airy, arty house with garden and pool in typical Pugliese countryside

Peaceful Basque farmhouse turned smart country B&B, only 20 minutes from restaurants and museums in Bilbao and unspoiled sandy beaches

An interesting historic townhouse filled with art and antiques, in the old part of Amantea, near shops, restaurants and beach

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

What do you do with a down-at-heel roadside inn? You get Mhor to come and turn it into a quirky base with their funky style and lovely food

Character and quirk in old and new design and furnishing – private terraces, a shared pool, great walking, cycling and wine-tasting

What a surprise! Tucked into a row of tightly woven old cottages is this contemporary open-plan hideaway with huge windows and much flair

A townhouse with a walled garden by the church in a peaceful village where friendly Scottish owners feed and look after you well

A pretty retreat in the grounds of a romantic château – you have your own walled garden, with terrace, pool and sunbathing area

Head inland for grand walking or to the glorious coast from this very pretty cottage with a private garden, suitable and safe for dogs

Cosy 17th-century cottage in a village inland from Wells-next-the-Sea and with easy access to north Norfolk's main attractions

It's not often you get an entire hamlet to yourselves but here it is – 10 traditional stone houses with big communal spaces in rural bliss

Take your time here. Lucy will take you round her wonderful garden, introduce you to her donkeys, and share her laid-back approach