Come for summer breakfasts of pastries fresh from the local bakery, afternoons reading by the pool and long, lazy lunches

Once a lofty edifice for music recitals, now an original place to stay - with stained-glass windows, a bed on a stage and wild gardens

Few inns can rival the scale or history of this one. Dogs doze by the inglenook, food is sourced from local suppliers, bedrooms are gorgeous

A sweet little gîte for two in the centre of a dreamy medieval village. Happily private but with loads to explore from your door

Elegant Italian style in a sensitively-restored villa with sweeping views over rolling hills and forests

Come for strawberries in summer, walnuts in winter, and a wonderful welcome all year round. Thierry and Charlotte are living their dream

Historic 19th-century maison de maître, perfect for a gathering of friends, within walking distance of the old town’s charms

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

Tucked down an alley off the main road through Midhurst, this well-designed, generous-spirited little house exudes character and quirk

An 18th-century beamed inn with tasty food, pretty bedrooms and a large garden just a ten-minute drive from Chichester

Rustic, sophisticated, relaxed, charming… ancient Follonico is all these things, and gazes on the loveliest hills in Tuscany

Picturesque cottage in the grounds of a grand manor, lovingly and creatively restored by its welcoming English owner

Immerse yourself in 50 acres of peaceful countryside and the fine pool. Generous owners are on hand, Les Eyzies is just a few minutes' drive

Bountiful breakfasts, the warmest of owners and Breton adventures. Enjoy romantic ruins, quaint villages and delicious seafood suppers

Tranquil manor house deep in Bordeaux wine region with six acres of grounds, a tennis court and swimming pool

Encircled by wild dales and rugged fells, this spoiling cottage cocoons you in countryside peace with the added fun of a sauna in the garden

One of Scotland’s coolest hotels waits at the end of a four-mile track - you find loch, mountain and sky, and Tom’s fabulous food

A Cotswolds hideaway in a cottage on a farm, with space to roam for children, and glorious valley views