PRICE DROP DEALS: Bargain getaways to catch the last of the rays

PORTUGAL

Farmhouse of the Palms, Algarve

The bright exteriors are complemented by airy and generous internal spaces.

Bedrooms and bathrooms are almost monastic in their simplicity: white walls, terracotta floors, lots of natural stone but also full of comfort with Egyptian cotton linen, colourful floor coverings and quality furnishings.

Take a dip in the pool, laze in the terraced garden, sink into a hammock and slip away.

● From €85 per night, B&B (sleeps 2-4).

Minimum two night stay.

Dialling from the UK: 00351 964 478157/sawdays.co.uk/ farmhouseo fthepalms

SOUTH OF FRANCE

La Forge d’Hauterives, Alpes-Maritimes

Discover a truly beautiful 18th century “bastide” basking between mountains and sea in the sunny Côte d’Azur close to stunning St Paul de Vence and Nice.

Anne, a talented designer, has converted the south-west facing village mansion impeccably.

Stroll through the garden cooled by an ancient fountain that pours into a swimming pool.

Meet like-minded folk around a big table for sublime regional meals or wander into the village for craft shops by the castle.

Apartments from €100 per night, +33 04 9389 7334/sawdays.co.uk/ laforgedhauterives

Le Mas De Peint, Bouches-du-Rhone

In the heart of the Camargue, book in for an energetic, gastronomic short break and live as a “cowboy”.

Frédéric is proud of his beautiful family farm – 250 bulls, 15 horses and swathes of arable land.

He looks after you well too; find an elegant French country farmhouse feel – no flounces or  flummery, just impeccable style.

Breakfast royally in the big family kitchen or on the wisteria-draped terrace, then drift over the canal to the secluded pool, encircled by teak loungers, scented with jasmine.

We recommend dinner: the fabulous, innovative chef delivers light, regional food under a muslin canopy at tables aglow with Moroccan lamps.

● Apartments from €245 per night, (sleeps 2-4), +34 04 9097 2062/ sawdays.co.uk/lemasdepeint

SPAIN

The Pink Pepper Tree, Mallorca

On the edge of a village at the foot of the mountains in central Mallorca you’ll find a restored 16th century finca. Bedrooms, some with balconies, are light with wooden floors, luxury beds and crisp white linen.

Walk-in showers and huge rain heads come as standard; in the larger rooms slide out of bed into a huge free-standing bath.

The gardens have plenty of shady spots and hammocks for a siesta and an SPAIN The Pink Pepper Tree, Mallorca On the edge of a village at the foot of the mountains in central Mallorca you’ll find a restored 16th century finca.

Bedrooms, some with balconies, are light with wooden floors, luxury beds and crisp white linen. Walk-in showers and huge rain heads come as standard; in the larger rooms slide out of bed into a huge free-standing bath.

The gardens have plenty of shady spots and hammocks for a siesta and an inviting swimming pool to cool off in the heat. ● From €140 per night. (sleeps 2-4), +34 971 879 185/sawdays.co.uk/ thepinkpeppertreev

Molino de Carmen, Malaga

Gaucín is on one of the migratory routes between Europe and Africa and all around the village are hand-painted plaques of the birds that stop by.

This old olive mill stands in the centre of the delightful bustling village, producing oil until 1967.

Subsequently bought by an English artist, it is now owned by Londonbased Pip and Clinton, who have created a clutch of airy apartments around a funky heated pool, sheltered by stylish white canvas sails.

From the mill’s upper terraces you can gaze across the terracotta roofs to the Med and Morocco.

● Apartments from €420 per week, +34 627 229870/sawdays.co.uk/ molinodelcarmen

Caserio de Mozaga, Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Artists and photographers flock to Lanzarote for its special light; this intimate hotel in the little whitewashed village of Mozaga is a favourite.

Charming Maria has lovingly restored her family’s 18th-century farmhouse, built on ancient volcanic rock in the very heart of the island.

Nearby, you can visit the well-known family vineyard with its small museum. Inviting farmhouse-style rooms look onto the courtyard and are dressed with fine linen and plain fabrics; bathrooms are beautiful.

Enjoy sophisticated Mediterranean and local dishes in the popular and softly lit restaurant, housed in former stables.

● From €69 per night, B&B (sleeps 2), +34 928 520060 /sawdays.co.uk/ caseriodemozag

ITALY, Casa Teulada

Sardinia Coming in through the big blue door is like walking on to a stage set: an ancient olive tree at the cobbled centre and the backdrop is this beautifully restored house. It’s bliss to step out of the sun into the cool, shady interior of the ground floor apartments.

All is stylishly rustic with colours ranging from earthy floor and Mediterranean kitchen tiles, to chunky wooden and chalk-blue beams and bold African-inspired ochre and turquoise.

Teulada is five minutes’ drive from a lovely stretch of coast – super-quiet out of season – and under an hour from Cagliari.

l Apartments from €498 per week, (sleeps 3-4), sawdays.co.uk/ casateulada

La Chiusa delle More, Puglia

The Italians flock here in August but foreigners have not yet discovered Peschici, so come out of season when the beaches and fresh-fish restaurants are idyllically uncrowded and you can watch the fishermen sort their catch on the front.