A little gem tucked on a rural Northumbrian estate with other cottages. The rugged coast and lovely Alnwick make for super day trips

A peaceful setting among plane trees and oleander for this traditional mas with separate apartments and a gypsy caravan, pool and gardens

A three storey house and garden with sea glimpses in the 'vieux village' named for the Mimosa trees which flower in profusion in winter

A secluded, luxurious 8-bedroom heaven in the Umbrian hills, with a heart-warming welcome, gorgeous views, and simple, exceptional food

4 comfy, stylish rooms and a wonderful host who spoils you rotten: hearty breakfasts, walking maps and Peak District views

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

An upmarket, very comfortable old stone village house with tasty breakfasts and a sunny courtyard full of colourful flowers

A pretty retreat in the grounds of a romantic château – you have your own walled garden, with terrace, pool and sunbathing area

An historic, moated manor house dating from the 16th-century, fully restored and with all mod cons, including an indoor heated pool

Come for the great outdoors and wrap-around views of Muncaster Fell and Scafell Pike from this warm, bright and spacious Passivhaus

Large, unpretentious and very comfortable family house in splendid isolation with swimming pool, tennis court and well-tended gardens

An airy Estate Manager's House set in pretty grounds with a pool, orchard, barbecue and private terrace for long lazy days in the sun

Historic, eco-friendly elegance, views over Etna and Naxos Bay, jasmine-scented gardens... and a charming family feel. Stroll into Taormina

Château apartments with a heated pool, parkland and a menagerie - Gold Beach and the British Normandy Memorial are on the doorstep

Two family-friendly gites with gardens and a big pool, surrounded by corn fields and sunflowers, ideal for a larger family to take together

Stay just minutes from the sea in colourful Donaghadee for wild swims, island visits, bird watching and coastal walks

The views are green, both cottages are homely and comfortable and the gardens have direct access to the riverbank footpath for walks

Furniture from home-grown wood, reclaimed tiles - beautiful. The Jurassic Coast is near, Bridport's antiques, too. Cycle, walk, spot birds