Mas Vinyoles

A cork farmer built this sweet 1950s farmhouse for his bride, in the middle of cork woods with stunning views over the hills; drink in the fresh air and listen out for birdsong.

Kathrin lives in the farmhouse just behind, and these two simple self-contained apartments echo her kind character and Swiss origins. Both have fresh white walls, long sofas, sunny bedrooms and spotless little kitchens – if you’re arriving late, ask for the ingredients for your first breakfast to be left for you.

Kathrin will share whatever is ripe and tasty from her abundant organic garden, and you can stock up at the markets or treat yourself to a little restaurant three miles away. There’s a terrace for a breezy beer and a cosy fireplace for winter, heating from solar panels and water from a nearby well. Girona lies one way, the Costa Brava the other, and in between are easy walks linking perfect villages. In summer, there’s a fiesta every weekend.