Countryside holidays

The countryside is ideal for rest and relaxation. Rolling hills as far as the eye can see, the breeze heavy with the scent of pine groves and lavender fields, the occasional tranquil farmhouse or manor from a bygone age.

Come with us to Tuscany and Provence, to the furthest corners of the British Isles, or the wide expanses of eastern Europe, and discover charming rural hideaways where life is a pleasure to be savoured.

Wander through picturesque alleyways, soak up the archetypal atmosphere of unchanging country ways, unwind in a place where everything really is just what it seems. Spend lazy days gathering new inspiration, learning from quaint traditions, tasting the delights of country cooking, and making new friends. A chance to truly escape from the hustle and bustle, find peace and quiet and lose yourself in a book. Finally, time just for you.

Your place in the country is here, a place of tranquillity and a base for new adventures.

For: Nature-lovers and culture-vultures, explorers and individualists, chefs, gourmets, lovers of fine wines and all who appreciate the finer things in life.

Where: Tuscany and Provence; England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland; Spain and Portugal; Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

What's on offer: Charming country houses, apartments with character, Italian stone rusticos and picture-book cottages.

For fans of: Vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields, scenic lookouts and panoramic plains, long walks and local culture, regional cooking and red wine on the veranda.