Spain
1. Villa de Olivos, Mallorca
Just 2km from Soller, where Mallorca’s bright lights make way for olive, orange and lemon groves, you’ll find the Villa de Olivos: a sprawling 50-acre one-time olive farm with elegant bohemian decor and a staggering backdrop of the Tramuntana mountains. Each of the nine bedrooms, split between the main house and two outbuildings, feels intimate, but this place — with its converted olive oil-press dining room, two kitchens, tennis court, swimming pool and barbecue pavilion — is made for sharing.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for 16 from £10,900 (theluxurytravelbook.com). Fly to Palma
2. Peel Cabin, Huelva
This rustic waterfront cabin, with its own little boat and private jetty, is gloriously off-grid. Here, days are for taking a siesta in a hammock, wild swimming or sampling fresh produce from the owners, Anna and Dave — who live minutes away (with chickens, a vegetable patch and a flock of sheep). The real draw, though? It straddles the Guadiana River, which separates Spain and Portugal, so a 40-minute drive could take you to the Costa de la Luz or a beach on the Algarve.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for two from £525 (canopyandstars.co.uk). Fly to Faro
3. Finca Llubi, Mallorca
With nearly 10 acres of land — including orchards and an organic vegetable garden that also produce honey and olive oil — plus a stable and yoga hut, this villa is the epitome of barefoot Mallorcan luxury. Inside it’s soft, white textiles and rough-hewn woodwork. The surroundings are so peaceful, you’d never know that the historic town of Llubi was only five minutes away — and for the young and the restless, one of Mallorca’s best beaches, Can Picafort, is a 20-minute drive.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for eight from £4,210 (theluxurytravelbook.com). Fly to Palma
4. Mas Pelegri, Catalonia
Perhaps unsurprisingly for an eco-friendly sports and spa hotel with exceptional views of the nearby volcanic national park, this off-grid country house in northeast Catalonia is a place where guests spend more time outside than in. There’s plenty around to keep you moving — whether it’s hiking, biking and horse-riding, or the sports coaches and recovery massage therapist on site. Plus, should you tire of the healthy home-cooked suppers, there are Michelin-starred restaurants scattered around the area like sand.
Details B&B doubles from £110 (maspelegri.com). Fly to Girona
5. Can Vistabella, Ibiza
While this airy, shabby-chic hotel may only be a ten-minute drive from San Antonio, the all-night parties and famous DJs of the “other” Ibiza feel about as far away as you can get. Whether it’s daily yoga and Pilates, the outdoor cinema or quiet strolls through gardens packed with scented herbs and pine, palm and olive trees, the atmosphere here — up in the northwesterly hills of the island — is secluded and serene. Don’t miss the crunchy octopus with organic greens at the hotel’s Essencia restaurant.
Details Room-only doubles from £100 (i-escape.com). Fly to Ibiza
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6. Can Viento, Mallorca
This traditional stone finca is the classic Mallorcan country experience: it’s all lush gardens dotted with fruit, olive trees and meditative views of the Tramuntana mountains — punctuated only by the occasional sound from the farm near by. But the villa’s chilled vibe belies a surprising location. It’s a few kilometres from the soulful town of Pollença and its golf club, making it an easy choice for families faced with the near-impossible task of pleasing everyone.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for eight from £6,545 (akvillas.com). Fly to Palma
Croatia
7. Meneghello Palmizana Art Resort, Hvar
Palmizana, a village on the island of St Klement, accessible by boat from Hvar, is about as laid-back as it gets. With no cars allowed, there are myriad footpaths and walking trails, and everyone does their bit to maintain the area’s flora and fauna. The Meneghello family, who have owned land on the island for 100 years, are passionate about its culture, and the art gallery here is a Croatian institution. The resort’s botanic garden dates from 1906, and none of the 12 stone villas interrupts the views.
Details Room-only doubles from £102 (palmizana.com). Fly to Hvar
8. Vineyard Cottage, Konavle
Make no mistake, this bucolic eco cottage, in a protected area of meadows and vineyards near Dubrovnik, is remote. It’s not exactly accessible (the only bed is in the eaves), but it’s about being at one with nature: the views of Mount Snijeznica are breathtaking, the cottage runs on solar power, and the furniture is a mix of local cypress wood and family heirlooms. It’s great for those wanting complete tranquillity.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for two from £350 (responsibletravel.com). Fly to Dubrovnik
9. Meneghetti Wine Hotel, Istria
If your idea of a dream holiday is holing up in a winery, you’ve come to the right place — more so if you also consider yourself to have a discerning palate. Not only does this refined property have the foodie stamp of approval from Relais & Châteaux, it also produces excellent olive oils — the vineyards and olive groves are worthy of visits in equal measures. Plus, there are only 25 guest rooms on site, meaning you can enjoy your organic Mediterranean meal and beautifully paired wine in peace.
Details Five nights’ B&B from £1,450pp, including flights and transfers (blacktomato.com)
France
10. Domaine les Roullets, Provence
Midway between Oppède and Ménerbes, two Provençal villages on opposite sides during the French Wars of Religion in the late 1500s, this fortified farm and boutique B&B in the Luberon has history at its heart. Built from the remains of a Roman garrison and with a 700-year-old tree in its immaculate grounds, the estate also has a truffle forest, vineyard, olive orchard and heated pool. Stay in one of five lavish bedrooms or a sweet cottage for four surrounded by roses. The 360-degree views aren’t bad, either.
Details Room-only doubles from £161 (mrandmrssmith.com). Fly to Marseilles
Switzerland
11. White Pod, Chablais Valaisan
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This clutch of 27 igloo-shaped pods — including one with a private butler — in remote Switzerland is all about embracing stillness. Here, in the foothills of the pristine Dents du Midi, it’s just you and nature in a bubble. In summer guests go mountain-biking, hiking or wildflower-spotting in the meadows, while winter is for skiing on two private slopes, plus snow-shoeing and husky-sledding. It’s great for families: children under 12 stay free.
Details Room-only doubles from £248 (i-escape.com). Fly to Geneva
Greece
12. Kinsterna, Peloponnese
Over in the southeast Peloponnese, in the hills close to medieval Monemvasia, this manor is surrounded by Nemean vineyards and deciduous forest. Each of Kinsterna’s 52 restored rooms — some with Juliet balconies and Ottoman fireplaces, along with the prerequisite Aegean views — is steeped in history. In the 17th century residents used to press grapes, and the tradition has continued, with the hotel making wine and olive oil using traditional equipment — those who visit in September are encouraged to kick off their shoes and help to trample the harvest.
Details Seven nights’ B&B from £2,100pp, including flights and transfers (scottdunn.com)
13. Wild by Interni, Mykonos
Once you tear your gaze from the blistering views of the Aegean from this chilled hotel you’ll probably notice former clubbers around you, sipping agave tequila and espousing the benefits of ashtanga yoga. It is a totally different kind of “wild” on Mykonos, with a seductive, sun-baked bohemia that makes you want to pack it all in for a life here, surrounded by distressed furniture, organic food and rugged surroundings. Don’t miss the secret cove, down a rocky set of stairs between the two infinity pools.
Details Room-only doubles from £305 (thewildhotel.com). Fly to Mykonos
14. Arosmari Village Hotel, Chania
A cluster of ten stone and cypress-wood cottages dotted around a garden in hilltop Vamos make up this peaceful adults-only retreat. The area is known for local crafts, organic produce and excellent wine, so it’s worth enrolling in a cookery course here. Around the grounds you can cosy up to read in one of the rose, jasmine and lavender-scented hidey-holes or head to the hammam, before getting ready for evenings at the honesty bar or in a nearby taverna.
Details Seven nights’ B&B for two from £1,188pp, including flights and car hire (simpsontravel.com)
15. Numo Ierapetra, Ierapetra
This adults-only hotel, on a pretty beach, gives you a chance to explore the less-visited Cretan region of Ierapetra from a comfortable, contemporary base. Traditional island recipes are served with modern flair at the Menoa restaurant, while private photography lessons help you to make the most of the striking surrounding scenery. You’ll get sizzling shots of the Sarakina Gorge, acres of forest and countless Blue Flag beaches: Agia Fotia, Koutsounari and Ferma are the best.
Details Seven nights’ B&B from £1,250pp, including flights and transfers (turquoiseholidays.co.uk)
16. Cretan villa, Heraklion
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On top of a hill in a wine region outside Heraklion, this neat little villa is all about the views, with a patchwork of terraced fields, vineyards and olive trees unfurling all around you. There’s a well-kept garden, shaded stone terrace, pool, barbecue and even a bread oven to keep you busy, but Knossos and the unspoilt beaches of the south coast are only half an hour away.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for four from £2,535, including flights and car hire (simpsontravel.com)
17. Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Peloponnese
On the quiet northwestern tip of the Peloponnese is a cluster of former wine-storage tanks from the 1920s artfully converted into a design hotel. The surroundings are agriculturally rich, with olive groves, vineyards and citrus trees covering the landscape, while the hotel has a sandy stretch of Kourouta Beach to itself. It’s a source of creativity for many, with guests who are typically a mix of architecturally savvy design fans and stylish Athenian tastemakers.
Details Room-only doubles from £110 (designhotels.com). Fly to Athens
Portugal
18. Craveiral Farmhouse, Alentejo
Less hotel, more sustainable village, this property is all about its surroundings: the hills of Odemira in Alentejo. This unspoilt region is known for its olive and cork fields, rugged landscape and wild beaches — and at Craveiral you’ll get to know it all better. The interiors of all 38 self-contained cottages were crafted by local designers, and guests are encouraged to connect with nature. There’s an educational farm, alongside eco and nature centres, while the hotel has partnered with a charity to employ young people with learning disablilities.
Details B&B doubles from £152 (craveiral.pt). Fly to Faro
19. Douro41 Hotel & Spa, Aveiro
For a hotel in the middle of the oldest demarcated wine-growing region on the planet, this hotspot on the banks of the Douro pulls in its share of nature lovers. While its modern minimalist interiors — floor-to-ceiling windows, glass walkways, huge terraces and a floating pool seemingly suspended in mid-air — home in on the views, the restaurant and bar do a stellar job of showcasing world-class wine and cooking from around the region.
Details Room-only doubles from £143 (mrandmrssmith.com). Fly to Porto
20. Sao Lourenco do Barrocal, Alentejo
This three-square-mile estate in rural Alentejo has been owned and run by the same family since 1820. Home to a recently refurbished hotel and working farm, its sprawling grounds — including vineyards, centuries-old olive groves, an orchard and a walled garden — help to support the property and surrounding area using heritage farming methods, with 80 per cent of its staff from the local area. The 40 rooms are serene and neutral, but the star of the show is the farm-to-table restaurant.
Details B&B doubles from £203 (barrocal.pt). Fly to Lisbon
21. Moinho da Fadagosa, Alentejo
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A windmill in the hills isn’t your average holiday home, granted, but it may end up being the most memorable. The interiors are stylish — original machinery remains in the bedroom upstairs, a fire awaits in the living room, and there’s a dining table outside with a spectacular panorama of the hills. Spend the days wild swimming or picnicking at the nearby waterfall, and the nights under a blanket of stars.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for two from £560 (canopyandstars.co.uk). Fly to Lisbon
Italy
22. Wild Umbria, Perugia
It’s all birdsong, butterflies and wildflowers at this unfussy Umbrian homestay. It’s self-contained beside the house where owners Alan and Lucia live and is perfect for birdwatchers and mountaineers seeking a place off the beaten track. The shaded terrace, full of roses and geraniums, is made for alfresco meals while the elevated plunge pool looks out into the wilderness. The house is miles from town, on the edge of the Subasio national park.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for four from £1,158 (sawdays.co.uk). Fly to Perugia
23. Casa Simona, Chianti
If you had to spend eternity in this characterful Tuscan villa, with six bedrooms split between three buildings on 148 acres of rolling land, you wouldn’t grumble. Bang in the middle of Chianti, it’s a property that’s made for socialising: several elegantly furnished pergola areas are ideal for group lunches and lounging, while a huge swimming pool and manicured lawns are framed by vineyards, olive and walnut groves.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering for 13 from £8,723, including flights and car hire (cvvillas.com)
Slovenia
24. Vila Planinka, Jezersko
On arrival at this 23-room hotel, in the snow-capped mountains of the Jezerkso Valley an hour from Llubljana, guests are encouraged to “unplug to recharge”. That means you turn off your phone — a tall order in a hotel built for sharing on social media. With interiors mimicking a luxury ski lodge, with Finnish and infrared saunas, accomplished cooking and activities designed to reconnect you with nature, this place is, quite literally, on another level.
Details Room-only doubles from £192 (vilaplaninka.com). Fly to Ljubljana
Iceland
25. Torfhus Retreat, Selfoss
Surrounded by ice-cool wilderness near Iceland’s Golden Circle, the 25 turf-covered houses here are powered by geothermal and hydroelectric energy. Each has a basalt hot tub (made from huge slabs of lava), while the resort’s traditional furnishings, Noma-meets-Nobu restaurant and sustainable ethos are a bridge between past and present. Plus, there’s no light pollution, so from October onwards you have a sporting chance of seeing the northern lights.
Details Five nights’ B&B from £2,550pp, including flights and transfers (blacktomato.com)
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