Eschew the crowds for your own slice of bliss in this ancient hamlet with village green - self-catering with a hotel feel and dreamy pool

An 1820s farmhouse at the end of a quiet road in the North York Moors National Park, overlooking a forest and surrounded by fields

A dog-friendly hotel with traditional bedrooms, excellent breakfasts & a cool bar set on a peaceful side street, minutes from the centre

A beautifully restored cottage in a rustic-chic style, set above the dramatic Gorges de l’Aveyron; perfect for couples or families of four

A classic French beauty of a place; home to an engaging young family who love to entertain and look after you with great care

Stay just two kilometres from Siena's medieval gates with views over vineyards, lovely interiors, good food and pleasant gardens

Escape to a rural idyll on a working olive and citrus farm in the toe of Italy. Attentive hosts, good for kids and great food!

Inside, a grand cathedral ceiling, outside, wisteria-covered terrace and pretty pool. Atlantic sands, Cognac and La Rochelle are in reach

Classic coaching inn in a bustling village offers restful rooms, real ales and the Cotswolds on your doorstep

Sustainably built Suffolk retreat with plenty of space for friends and family to properly unwind (a steam room seals the deal)

An alpine hotel connected to nature with spa, sauna and swimming pool fed from a natural spring; mountains & lakes to explore, yoga classes, & more

Built in the 1800s, a charming stone house on the Penicuik Estate with views over woodland and hills and calming, beautiful interiors

A magical medieval castello, gloriously gothic with tower, moat and ghost, fit for a Shakespearian play.

An elegant hotel that feels like a well-kept secret, with charming staff, understated rooms and great restaurants a short walk away

Stay in the very first holiday let in the history of this lovely little hamlet of nine houses, with a superb sailing club and a decent pub

Stay a while... lulled by lapping sea and fragrant hanging gardens - cool, light, balconied, classic, intimate, unpretentious

Step into a place full of life, colour, texture and clever design surrounded by beautiful gardens and lakes

Beautiful, and with a delightfully rambling garden, this early 16th-century manor has bags of room for happy days with family or friends