Philippe and Stéphanie give you delicious food and comfortable, colourful bedrooms in their ancient château with gardens and pool

Leave crowds behind for this charming stone farmhouse in the olive groves of rural Umbria – bring friends and have it all to yourselves

Come for history, wildlife and a stunning garden estate with acres to roam. Bring children and dogs too. Fabulous

A fortified castle in parkland, built mostly in the 1300s on the Montbazens plateau, near to the stunning Averyon gorges

Two lovely cottages, packed with atmosphere, character and comfort in a magical timeless valley surrounded by nature

Near Vosges mountains, a happy homely hotel surrounded by woods and flower-filled meadows with friendly hosts. Deliciously peaceful

Charming 15th-century farmhouse near Montrésor and Loches with immense lawns, orchards and a fabulous pool

Something to astound at every turn where the traditional and downright quirky collide to stunning effect. Friendly, flexible hosts too

Inspiring scenery for this lavender farm near a Provençal village. Rustic eco-friendly cottages, a hump-backed bridge, a hammock by the pool

Walk, ride, bike or canoe, climb a mountain, head for Hay, then return to a comfortable bar, warm bedrooms and delicious food

Independence at one end of the house with your own sitting room opening onto a courtyard garden. Good pub for food a few minutes' walk away

Atmospheric English pub with rooms by the green with its duck ponds in a pretty village, with walking and cycling routes to join

This civilised bolthole offers a quiet retreat, castle views and the magic of Edinburgh on your doorstep

A quirky hotel with enthusiastic owners in an authentic Andalucian town, just ten minutes up winding roads from Marbella

A peaceful retreat with yoga and activities to restore and renew, in the Andalusia hills between Granada and the Mediterranean coast

Spacious gîte in a former hunting lodge, set on one of the oldest estates in Pézenas, for a relaxing getaway with family and friends

Another humdinger of a hotel from a very talented team. Hand-picked art, effortlessly cool rooms, tasty local food, a sun terrace and events