Villa Motovun, Istria, sleeps 10
This beautifully designed new villa is about four miles from the striking medieval hilltop town of Motovun in the northern part of the Istrian peninsula, Croatia's answer to Umbria. Sophisticated simplicity is the keynote. Built of local stone, the property has been sympathetically designed in traditional farmhouse style and sits at a great vantage point commanding superb views. You could spend hours gazing across the rolling countryside from the generous terrace here. Inside, rustic chic meets mimimalism with terracotta-tiled floors, wicker chairs and sofas with cream cushions and wrought-iron beds in some of the five bedrooms (two doubles and three twins). The garden contains a large pool with teak sundeck (and child alarm), plus barbecue, croquet and table tennis facilities. A surrounding vineyard will ultimately supply wine for the villa, but sadly, not just yet.

Trieste airport is 36 miles away, and Pula airport is 46 miles.