Visit the walled city of Evora, have dinner with the friendliest hosts, pet the dogs & donkeys. Head out for culture, vineyards and menhirs

A summer hideaway by a lively Algarvian village with a pretty garden. Sundowners, a pool, massages, a BBQ and traditional bedrooms

Anouk & Gilles have fine-tuned their welcome. Lounge by the pool and dine exquisitely within their landscaped park

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

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

This friendly, Scottish island B&B has the Atlantic at the end of the garden and air so clean the lichen grows like beards from the trees

Lose yourselves in this picturesque castle, magical with its luxurious rooms and timeless atmosphere. Count and Countess are brilliant hosts

Bags of rustic charm in this elegantly restored retreat, perfectly placed to explore Sicily’s rich history and beautiful beaches

In pretty Vernon, a peaceful and comfortably large townhouse with roses rambling around the door

A lovely bolthole in remote North Yorkshire – follow stunning hill walks with a soak in the roll top bath, and a glass of bubbly

Filled with interesting finds, antiques and artefacts, this is a charming cabin hideaway for couples on the banks of the Kingsbridge Ria

Come for a bright, roomy, uber-green and accessible larch-clad space with garden and pond in pretty countryside

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

Straight out of a fairy tale, a rustic cottage by a babbling brook: a magical escape for couples, the craggy coast in easy reach

In a hamlet in the Loire countryside is a friendly estate with a family-sized gite, a shared saltwater pool and heaps of old-world charm

An impressive limestone house on three levels created within the ruins of an ancient village with uninterrupted views of the Vézère valley

An ancient building filled with beauty and sitting in the quietest SSSI valley, criss-crossed by medieval drove ways buzzing with wildlife

A stylish mountain chalet under the watchful gaze of Mont Blanc, with a private chef, hot tub and sauna