A country idyll in the hills. Only 15 mins from Faro, but all is peaceful: dip in the pool, sip a cocktail in the shade, book in for dinner

A pretty cottage by the sea, with uplifting views, restful bedrooms, the beach a short hop, gorgeous walks and lively Kinsale nearby

The holiday starts on the bumpy track along to this Arts & Crafts style modern house with plenty of space and a wrap-around garden

Proper village pub with much-praised food and cosy rooms; country walks lead from the door and Oxford is half an hour away

The Renard famille share their impressive local knowledge, and make you feel at home and cared for in their charming small hotel

A hilltop setting for this ancient fortress with an illustrious past. You stay in apartments or farmhouses inside or outside the walls

Tranquil couple’s getaway with a shared pool, wonderful views, and lavender plants in every direction. The delightful owners are next door

A lovely 1650 Welsh longhouse, beamed and flagstoned with a verdant garden in a totally unspoilt spot in the Snowdonia National Park

The views are green, both cottages are homely and comfortable and the gardens have direct access to the riverbank footpath for walks

This famous old country house might not come cheap, but where else can you splash out in such decadent style for life’s big celebrations?

A beautiful little collection of trulli near the Valle d’Itria – restored with flair and with gardens, woods and pool

A beautifully-designed wooden lodge with hot tub on the deck, glass-front wood-burner, plenty of space and complete immersion in nature

Very private and comfortable rooms with their own entrances at this generous B&B with glorious gardens and views to the Black Mountains

Nestled next to the main house, this feels part cottage and part townhouse, making a cosy retreat just a couple of miles from the coast

Sleek modern interiors now grace this ancient building with architectural joys, a courtyard garden and rooftop terrace with views

A warm, comfortable and light-filled 1800s cottage with south-facing garden and absolutely wonderful views over the Kyles of Bute

Your very own château in the Dordogne for big family get-togethers and special celebrations

Rustic charm meets modern comfort in peaceful Devon hideaway set in acres of wild meadows and ancient orchards, with birdsong on the breeze