Come to shed your city cares, eat wonderful local food, spend time in simple, authentic surroundings and remind yourselves about serenity

Head down the Strood causeway and step back in time for a slice of Mersea Island's old-world charm: beaches, fresh oysters & a charming inn

An enchanting escape immersed in nature yet only 40 minutes by train into the Eternal City for art and history-filled days

Welcome to the delights of a 15th-century Breton manor house, a meandering river inhabited by otters, and hosts who adore what they do

Once a shooting lodge, this stand-alone big building was part of a medieval estate and you can still see the grassy mount and dungeon tower

A big friendly farmhouse basking in light, with terraces, vineyards, pool and views to several horizons, good for family gatherings

History, tranquillity and genuine warmth in a beautifully restored medieval château, deep in the heart of the countryside

Two peaceful spaces in a beautiful garden with a morning concert from the birds and a terrace for magical outdoor meals

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

A beautifully converted dairy with a magical garden in a quiet village surrounded by lovely countryside

Enter through an impressive stone arch to discover this 16th-century fortified manor house with a gorgeous communal dining and seating area

A hop from the Côte d'Azur is this elegant home: bring friends, explore the garden, curl up on the sofa, dip in the heated pool

Elegant Regency rectory full of charm, with walks in all directions, views to gaze at and kind, generous hosts. A rare place

This is Somerset at its most quintessential: a thatched roofed, honey-coloured Hamstone cottage with a pretty courtyard garden; sleeps four

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

In Andalusia, step through an ancient wooden door into this Moorish-inspired townhouse with a pool and tapas bars just moments away

A Grade II listed 1669 ex-Almshouse in a row of three in walking distance of the historic town centre of Ashbourne and the Tissington Trail

Get the full-English bucolic countryside experience at this boutique inn right in the heart of a quintessentially pretty Cotswold village