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

A lovely big house with huge riverside gardens and an easy-going charm – a 15-minute walk from bookish Hay-on-Wye

Retreat to a classically styled, elegant apartment for four - private and peaceful - in a characterful, super-central area of Rome

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 small, quirky country house hotel with lovely staff, pretty rooms and heavenly food served in a pillared dining room

An exquisitely restored 500-year-old inn, where the accent is very much on food, reared and grown nearby and with very comfortable rooms

A lovingly restored ancient farmhouse surrounded by wildlife-rich countryside just two miles from stunning beaches – a place to mend

Come for good architecture, thoughtful design and much space for relaxing: swimming, massages, hammam and sauna, beautiful bedrooms

Such lovely views from this light-filled flat, built in the 19th century – curl up with a book and gaze out to sea

Off the beaten track and into the hills – this remote, unknown bird-filled region is faultless for outdoorsy people

Unwind in elegant interiors and set out on long walks in beautiful countryside; Chichester and Winchester are near

Breathtaking views, coastal walks, wildflowers and pretty beaches. Return to a garden with a tropical feel, helpful hosts and sunny rooms

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

A 1750s farmhouse with a comfortable, informal feel resting in woodland. You're near to iconic tourist spots but hiding in the quiet woods

An adorable whitewashed crofter's cottage on the Wern Estate with pretty gardens, a bird-filled woodland and glorious walks from the door

Take a suite with champagne, strawberries and a tower, swim in the saltwater pool, eat a Castilian cocido - unwind in rural peace!

Once a coach house, now a split-level place to stay – you can walk to the river and it's just a short hop to central London

Quirky, rustic cabin nuzzled by vines and greenery – perfect for lovers, writers and peace-seekers. Take long walks, stroll to the pub