Provençal charm floats through the ground floor of this 18th-century home in a vineyard near Lorgues. Walk, cycle, swim, enjoy the peace

A pretty stone single-storey house, now renovated beautifully into a comfortable hideaway with wonderful views to woodland and river

Chocolate-box cottages in deepest Normandy, owned by bright young things with a passion for organic cuisine and the good life

You're on an ancient packhorse trail just a stone's throw from the coast. There's a timeless feel to this place and the peace is deep

Sun-soaked stillness, saltwater dips and garden scents of fig and rosemary - slow days unfold between olive trees and a sky full of stars

Starry skies, wild beauty and total peace are yours in these sustainable, solar-powered eco-lodges

An adorable little 1800s cottage with a garden – simple, unpretentious and filled with the owner's colourful art on walls and lampshades

A welcoming, warming inn for locals and visitors alike with a blazing log fire, excellent local and seasonal food and proper Devon ales

A smartly renovated village pub with rooms welcoming locals, visitors, families and dogs on a Staffordshire country estate

A Georgian manor house in the old quarter of Penzance, close to the water, with good food and a chilled vibe

Set loose your inner castaway on your very own island with enthralling views and much wildlife a short boat ride from Skye

An enchanting and relaxed château and vineyard by the river Cher in the exquisite Loire Valley - you're looked after by gracious hosts

Gorgeously restored villas with breathtaking views. Chill out on the terrace, sample the owner’s homemade wine, and the wood-fired pizza!

A chunky log cabin with grass roof, wood-burning hot tub and views of the majestic Eildon Hills, half a mile from pretty Melrose

A beautiful old farmhouse, carefully renovated with great authenticity and charm, surrounded by other farm buildings and a walled garden

An 18th-century whitewashed cottage, characterful and comfortable and with a large private garden, just minutes from the coast by car

Feel at ease in a lovely old townhouse filled with pictures and personality and including a separate loft apartment

Chiara’s blissfully informal hillside home is a hard place to leave... Guests can get involved with cookery courses or the olive harvest