European places with pools

Come for good architecture, thoughtful design and much space for relaxing: swimming, massages, hammam and sauna, beautiful bedrooms

A thoughtfully renovated old cognac distillery with a pot-filled terrace, outdoor kitchen, lovely pool and plenty of different seating areas

A fine designer house and pool above the coastal hurly-burly and one of the loveliest coves in Spain, backing onto a nature park. Happy hols

Traditional house in a rural part of the Algarve with a spectacular garden, a pool and a tennis court, and restaurants a short stroll

A heavenly setting for this very well-hidden cottage with its own small pool, amazing views and delightful pebble beach below

A luxurious modern villa on the edge of old Civitanova Alta - oh the views! - ten minutes from the sea in the rolling hills of Le Marche

A fuss-free, informal place to stay with family - your own entrance straight from the garden and tasty breakfasts set up in a summer house

Up in the hills, an amazing family holiday with Lorna and Lee. Weekly paella nights, great pool, lovely walking. Beauty therapies, too...

High on a hill with panoramic views over the flat plains to the sea, find a cool retreat for friends or family with very swish interiors

Bags of rustic charm in this elegantly restored retreat, perfectly placed to explore Sicily’s rich history and beautiful beaches

In wine country, a beautifully revived 16th-century manor and hospitable B&B. Visit Angers’ cathedral, cruise along the Loire to Saumur

An ancient village house hiding a treasure trove of delights and a gorgeous garden with a pool, 90km from Seville

Close to Saint-Jean-d'Angély, an elegant and spacious manor house with unfussy, comfortable interiors, bucolic views, big garden and pool

Picture-perfect Andalusian houses with private, colourful gardens, stunning mountain views and sparkling pool; utterly relaxing

Bask in the warmth of the owners at this chic 'maison de maître' in off-track Provence - 12km from lovely hilltop Gordes

Dip into rural French life from your haven on a hill; local market feasts, pretty villages to explore and cherries plucked from the tree.

An impressive limestone house on three levels created within the ruins of an ancient village with uninterrupted views of the Vézère valley

Two family-friendly gites (big groups can take both) with beautiful gardens, sparkling pool, activities for children and peace for parents