A light-filled B&B packed with family memories and heirlooms in a small hamlet tucked into the foothills of the Dolomites

Come for gloriously independent B&B in your own cosy retreat with a belter of a breakfast brought to your door and plenty of local walks

A smartly refurbished village pub with its own micro-brewery and a huge emphasis on cooking great food from a network of local suppliers

A botanical beauty deep in the Loire Valley, this elegant house has history and heart in abundance

Eight miles from York, near Moors and coast, this smart historic home is just the ticket for families and small groups of friends

This stately-looking former manor house set back from the road in acres of gardens serves very good food and has rustic-chic bedrooms

You’ve got history on your doorstep in this beautiful and serene B&B, with charming gardens and a real sense of style in every room

A modern, architect-designed renovation of a 19th-century building, sitting in harmony with nature yet only a short drive from Bordeaux

In a chocolate-box village just an hour on the train, and a short hop in a taxi, from London is this foodie inn with pretty bedrooms

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

2 lakes, streams, landscaped gardens, woodlands and waterfalls... a paradise for families, nature lovers, peace-seekers and birdwatchers

Tiny, suite-in-the-sky, in shabby-chic style, with all you need cleverly tucked into one room. Plus heavenly terrace with city-wide views

Fabulous Drôme gîtes: contemporary in old stone buildings, uncluttered, fresh. Take all 5 for a party, laze by pool, doze in lavender

A deliciously cool loft hideaway set among tall sycamores in the grounds of the main house, with a New York Tribeca feel and much comfort

High up and with splendid views of the estuary and harbour, this roomy apartment is a very comfortable base for seaside holidays

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

The sort of inn we all love – open fires, original beams, ancient flags, tasty food, with lovely bedrooms thrown in for good measure

Superb, all-organic agriturismo built of straw bales and offering wonderful home-grown natural food, a delightful family, great walking