Best For…Mountain Air

La Casa du Manolin is high up in the Picos de Europa, Santander, northern Spain. Sleeping six, it makes a good value break for those who want to get away from it all.

House rentals from £580–£890 per week www.casas.co.uk

Best For...Pony Lovers

The award-winning Tots to France is run by parents who offer visited and vetted properties that are genuinely kitted out for kids. Villa Albizia (just pictured behind the ponies), in southern France, is owned by a BHS trained riding instructor and offers lessons and trekking for adults and children of all ages. Sleeps 7. From £575 per week www.totstofrance.co.uk  Tel: 0870 458 5528

Best For.....Mrs Tiggywinkle Feel

Conical stone trulli are distinctive of Puglia, southern Italy. Rich red earth, low dry stone walls, groves of twisted olive trees – and food from the gods. Discovery Travel has Trullo PU151, Ceglie Messapica on a small estate with two other properties close by (separate pools). Sleeps 4.
Price: £855-£1,595 per week 
www.discovery-travel.co.uk  Tel 01889 882170

Best For.....Catching Your Supper On Your Doorstep

Sea-front Villa Askim is set directly on the shingle beach in the rural hamlet of Sogut
in Western Turkey. A day’s fishing trip is included in the price. Sleeps 4.
From £713pp per week including flights, transfers, car hire and a day’s fishing trip. From Exclusive Escapes Tel 020 8605 3500 or www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk 

Best For.....Long Lazy Lunches

La Maison du Chateau is set in a 24 acre park on the banks of the River Armaçon in Burgundy and comes complete with a wonderful cook who does all shopping and cooking. Swimming pool, tennis court, private fishing and rowing boat on the river so there is heaps to keep children busy while lunch goes on, and on. Sleeps 6–16. £ From £1,750–£5,900 
www.lamaisonduchateau.co.uk  Tel: 01582 840635

Best For....The View From The Bath

Kaparelli House in North East Corfu is new to CV Travel’s portfolio. Designed by a British architect for his family, it is wonderfully stylish but family-friendly. Sleeps up to 9. £ From £630 to £1,110 per person per week including flights, taxi transfer www.cvtravel.co.uk Tel: 020 7401 1026