The Pool House - Self-catering cabin in Abruzzo

You'll feel lazy here, lingering over breakfast with the Maiella mountains in the distance, sunbathing, snoozing and sliding into the pool when you get too hot. Or explore the Abruzzo hills around you - owner Tom who lives next door can suggest hiking routes and tours. Join in with pruning or harvesting on the farm, take a cookery course, go truffle hunting or taste wines, homemade limoncello and gensiana.

You'll find bikes to borrow and the nearest shops just 4kms away - a pleasant walk or cycle ride. When the weather isn't playing there's a wood-burner to keep you cosy (logs provided) and cards and board games to play. Ski in the mountains or have year-round adventures in the surrounding National Parks, where sightings of wolves, chamois and the shy Marsican brown bear are possible.

Pack up a picnic and head for the beach resort of Pescara on the Adriatic Sea just half an hour away; return to light the barbecue and have a sundowner on the terrace. There's very little light pollution up here, so star gazing is good.