Stay just two kilometres from Siena's medieval gates with views over vineyards, lovely interiors, good food and pleasant gardens

Smart, spacious house for 12 with great views over the family vineyard - arrange a tasting, walk the Cotswold Way, cycle the canal towpath

Discover warmth, tranquillity and wonderful breakfasts behind the handsome old door of this luxurious small hotel in Lucca

With a sauna in the woods and a Nordic bath by the lake, these carefully renovated farm buildings are a lovely slow-living retreat

You'll feel at home in this immaculate yet cosy 1800s brick and pantile cottage with a pretty patio and stunning views across the Lincolnshire Wolds

Great taste – in decor and food – and a delicious heated pool. Views swoop over field and valley; trails, villages, wineries tempt

A sweet little gîte for two in the centre of a dreamy medieval village. Happily private but with loads to explore from your door

Woodland and fells encircle you, spa suites hang above water, food in the Michelin-starred restaurant is sublime – come for a real treat

Come for peace, space and much comfort in this nifty house with gorgeous views over acres of vines from the terrace and pool

Come for sea air, independent shops, great places to eat and this quirky cottage with plenty of room and a sunny walled garden

A captivating place for couples and families with fabulous views, pool and foodie hosts. River water sports, markets and vineyards near

In a small village on the borders, a Jacobean farmhouse luxuriously restored with lovely touches; the Brecon Beacons are close by

A striking 19th-century landmark deep in ancient woodland, reborn as a pub with beautifully restored rooms just a short hop from London

Rural bliss at the end of the lane: a cottage for 2 with wine and local biscuits in the hamper and farmers’ markets within a 5-mile drive

Serious art, lovely lighting, great sound system and a fat wood-burner belting out the heat at this super place for families or friends

If you need a great place in which to relax and don’t want to pay too much for it, try these excellent suites, which spoil you all the way

Near the sandy beaches of the Cabo de Gata, close to the village of Níjar, is a much-loved family estate with eco pool and exotic gardens