A spacious farmhouse with a pool in the grounds of a stately château. Wander the walled garden, explore the countryside and pretty villages

Plunge into real Spain from this ancient village house with very modern interiors, stunning views, a cooling pool and a hop from restaurants

A bit like staying with friends in a smart country house, but not having to help - an elegant refuge near Bradford-on-Avon

Peaceful escape for couples in the grounds of a stately Tudor manor house; watch the wildlife from your garden, explore the nearby coast

An 18th-century listed cottage in a pretty terrace with a private courtyard garden and pond, just a short walk from the high street

An ancient inn, spruce and restorative, in a picture-perfect village with open fires, tasty food and stylish, comfortable bedrooms

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

A Regency farmhouse sitting in a wrap-around garden with views to mountain and sea for wonderful walking, cycling and swimming

A wisteria-laden pergola shades the sunny side of the farmhouse - in gentle olive country near the Sibillini Park, not far from the Adriatic

Picturesque cottage in the grounds of a grand manor, lovingly and creatively restored by its welcoming English owner

For families and friends, foodies, surfers and lovers of southern Spain’s historic, vibrant Costa de la Luz

A cosy cottage on a farm down a long winding track, wonderfully rural with footpaths across fields or along the canal

Bags of rustic charm in this elegantly restored retreat, perfectly placed to explore Sicily’s rich history and beautiful beaches

A roomy, open-plan space for romantics, with complete privacy but with pub, bakery and views of the market garden from your own terrace

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

Charming 4-star gîte in an 11th-century castle in the foothills of the Pyrénées. Spectacular views, leafy terrace and wild swimming nearby

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

5 houses near Siena to make design-lovers happy; come for the rural solitude of ancient stone farm buildings with urban interiors