Off the beaten track and into the hills – this remote, unknown bird-filled region is faultless for outdoorsy people

A sustainably run 1902 farmhouse and its converted cattle shed in countryside close to a wonderfully wild stretch of the North Devon coast

A townhouse with a walled garden by the church in a peaceful village where friendly Scottish owners feed and look after you well

Gardeners will be very happy staying in this generous, comfortable B&B surrounded by stunning gardens with year-round interest

Tranquil manor house deep in Bordeaux wine region with six acres of grounds, a tennis court and swimming pool

Foodies will love the irresistible cooking - along with local wine and a typically Tuscan setting. Bedrooms are pretty

In a hamlet in the Loire countryside is a friendly estate with a family-sized gite, a shared saltwater pool and heaps of old-world charm

In wild Jura, surrounded by fields and heather-covered hills, a secluded farmhouse with cosy rooms and sublime views of Small Isles Bay

Come for a pretty village in fabulous walking country, delicious estate-sourced food, friendly staff and very comfortable bedrooms

Swim with frogs in the freshwater pool, breakfast in the sunshine, play boules by moonlight. Châteaux don't get much more rural

2 super family apartments in the unspoilt Serre Chevalier valley, with a private chef if you’d like one, and delightful Pippa to welcome you

Inland Algarve, away from the crowds – this gorgeous house with pool and gardens is a haven for families and friends

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

A friendly, generous, big old house with not an ounce of pretension. Big families will adore gathering here to have fun and unwind

Winter fires, a summer pool, and gorgeous food all year round... Live slow in the hills of