A sophisticated and friendly Basque beauty overlooking the Bay of Biscay, in Txakoli vineyard country – prepare to be thoroughly spoilt

Breakfast on homemade ricotta, bask on a cool white lounger, swim in the cove below. We love this young, friendly, rustic B&B

A warm retreat in a charming Sussex backwater, with a changing menu of fabulous food, and well-furbished bedrooms upstairs

Shady spots in the garden, a pool overlooked by tall palms, a bar nook stocked with drinks and a new spa in the Serra do Açor

Comfortable, big family home with sparkling sea views over the Adriatic: discover the coast, explore Ancona and Loreto, enjoy the garden

Your hosts couldn’t be nicer and look after you beautifully – this is a lovely, homely place with a rambling garden

A beautifully renovated lighthouse with stunning views from the lantern room. Pretty bedrooms, great walking and fabulous breakfasts

Step into the valley region from this beautifully restored 17th-century house surrounded by saltwater and freshwater canals and lakes

A neatly-converted old farmhouse on a quiet country lane with bright living spaces, heated pool, garden and hot tub just minutes from sandy beaches

Stay just minutes from the sea in colourful Donaghadee for wild swims, island visits, bird watching and coastal walks

Three gîtes in the Dordogne with panoramic countryside views and a swimming pool – book individually or together for a group holiday

A dear little cottage with many comforts and a private garden, off the beaten track and surrounded by mountains, valleys and trees

A perfectly renovated farmhouse in the grounds of a delightful château deep in the Normandy countryside, with a lovely walled garden

A seamless blend of ancient and modern in this architect-designed villa with infinity pool and veranda for admiring the wonderful views

Heaps to do on-site: organic farm shop & café, cookery & cheese-making courses, farm tours. A brilliant base for exploring the Cotswolds too

Come down to the Meon Valley and be (very gently) nudged towards a better way of living - a Sawday's Community Champion

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