A serene apartment for 2 in the old fisherman's quarter in Olhão, close to amazing beaches. A special place for nature lovers and foodies

A smart stone house with huge gardens and a barrel sauna nestled in a valley between mountains and sea - perfect for lovers of the outdoors

A flawlessly restored palazzo in the oldest part of town opposite an ancient monastery, with peaceful courtyard and a terrace with views

Five tranquil apartments surrounded by Tuscan countryside just over half an hour's drive from Siena – hire them all for a group holiday

Sitting next to the church in the most picturesque village in England, this ancient, handsome cottage is packed with historical interest

A snug Snowdonia bolthole arranged around a vast boulder, once home to Victorian artists inspired by the setting. For romantic hikers

Big house in peaceful lush oasis among the bananas, vines and aloe vera, a 20-minute walk down into Funchal

A cheery farmhouse conversion for groups outside a village in a non-touristy part of Italy, close to scenic trails and medieval villages

A harmonious B&B in Chinon wine country. Home-cooked food, comfortable beds, easy conservations with your host and starry skies at night

Immerse yourselves in the heather-clad peaks, moorland, glens and diverse wildlife of the magnificent Pentland Hills Regional Park

Fine Old Master drawings, inspired modern sculptures and wonderful food. A place for lovers of history, art, architecture, and La Rochelle

A great base from which to explore beautiful Pembrokeshire - walk by the coast, take to the hills, check out ancient St David’s

Simple rooms on a spotless farm, delightful hosts, delicious fruit tarts at breakfast on Sundays. The perfect stopover en route to Calais

A traditional stone bergerie high on a hill and surrounded by woods with east-facing views over the valley for stunning sunrises

Traditional mountain house in quiet resort, full of amazingly decorated wood. Snowshoe in winter, book a nature walk in summer

This classy, refurbished village pub is the community hub, chock-full of locals and a popular destination for foodies. Lovely bedrooms too

A super-smart country-house hotel with beautiful bedrooms, the odd treehouse, ambrosial food and a spa with a pillared pool

A thatched farmhouse only just over the channel near Rouen that’s well hidden in lush gardens, but worth finding for the gourmet food alone