A hilltop setting for this ancient fortress with an illustrious past. You stay in apartments or farmhouses inside or outside the walls

Feel at ease in a lovely old townhouse filled with pictures and personality and including a separate loft apartment

Chichester, blessed with a stunning natural setting, is great for a city break - and this Georgian coach house the perfect bolthole for 2

Inviting, inspiring, and perfect for 4. Off the beaten track in little-known ‘Swiss Tuscany’ is a treat for foodies and walkers

The cottage looks down over Lough Swilly, idyllic for boats and safe swims... and the neighbours are friendly, just sheep and cows

An enviable hideaway on a cobbled street high on a hill, with stunning views next to Galileo's house, the Villa Bardini and gardens

A 15th-century courtyard hides a petite contemporary apartment – a fabulous base from which to explore the city and all its treasures

Swim with frogs in the freshwater pool, breakfast in the sunshine, play boules by moonlight. Châteaux don't get much more rural

A peaceful spot for this beautifully restored old barn surrounded by lovely gardens and a sparkling pool on the banks of the Dordogne river

A comfy cottage for two in the quiet, leafy outskirts of Aix with easy access to the city and a kind, attentive owner nearby

A lovely villa with masses of space, filled with modern art and near to walking trails, beaches, shops and restaurants

Immaculate and comfy farmhouse in Aquitaine, where you'll be spoilt by your attentive hosts and astounded by their sumptuous seasonal meals

An attractive, seaside hotel with an airy, contemporary feel - chic interiors, an excellent restaurant and big sea views await

A lovely modern Provençal house, light and welcoming, in a valley of vineyards and forest, tucked peacefully away from the coast

Stylish, family-friendly hotel on the side of a peaceful Cotswold hill with big views, well-priced rooms and a 400-acre estate to explore

A 200-year-old village house surrounded by vineyards. Light-filled interiors, lots of art, a garden and a pool

A treat of a country retreat in the North York Moors National Park and much comfort for all with lovely high ceilings, a log-burner and fabulous views

A romantic cottage for two in the Pentland Hills, with views for miles and your own private garden with a wood-fired hot tub