A rare treat, 700 metres above sea level and girdled by forests, waterfalls, chestnuts and olives, this is the place to come for solace

The view is pure Canaletto, the vibe is modern and laid back. Just minutes from all Venice’s best bits, but with far fewer tourists

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

A converted 18th-century chapel in the heart of Bruton with an all-day restaurant, in-house bakery, wine store and south-facing terrace

Come for one of the most beautiful villages in the Welland Valley and this charming hotel with peaceful, elegant rooms and lovely food

In a quaint village with a bakery, brasserie and shops, a handsome gîte with a wonderful pool and fashion museum

A stylish timber frame eco build, clad with recycled steel and with an upstairs living space to make the most of the glorious sunsets

An exceptional villa with four acres of private gardens, high in the mountains and with stunning views over Lake Como - the perfect oasis

A sculptor's studio, flooded with light, converted into a restful holiday home surrounded by glorious countryside, near Totnes

A family retreat high above the river Dordogne and deep in woodland - with heated pool, games room and village restaurants a stroll away

Beautiful views over Bantry Bay from this thoughtfully restored house with stylish rooms, gardens and woodland – a wonderful escape

There’s a Tuscan feel to this lovely, family-friendly place – walk to the sound of cicadas, stargaze, visit vineyards, markets and castles

An L-shaped former farmhouse is now a gorgeous place to stay, just half an hour from the sea or the mountains and near interesting villages

Step into the valley region from this beautifully restored 17th-century house surrounded by saltwater and freshwater canals and lakes

Wine lovers adore this impeccably furnished château; lovely Anne meets and greets, Jean Christophe makes wine and takes charge of tastings

A delightful harled stone and wood house yards from the sea with glorious hills behind, for walkers, dreamers, nature lovers and adventurers

Escape your cares here, move from terrace to terrace tracking the sun's progress and dive into the sea from your own swimming platform