King of the Casa

This home might only be forty-five minutes' drive from Barcelona, but it feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Hidden away in the middle of a vineyard surrounded by mountains, this traditional property is perfect for those looking for a little slice of solitude.

It's the sort of address in which you'll want to spend as much time outdoors enjoying the rural tranquillity as possible and there's a multitude of ways you can do that here, whether you prefer to siesta in the hammocks, cook up a storm on the barbecue or go for a dip in the swimming pool.

The interior is traditional in style, with whitewashed walls, wooden ceiling beams and terracotta tiling underfoot exuding rustic charm. There's a wood-burning fireplace for once the sun's gone down, but if it's still warm enough outside, you could use the fire pit instead.

Although you could very happily hole up at the address for a while and never feel the need to leave, your host can lend you a mountain bike to explore the locale or arrange a tasting at a local vineyard. The nearest town of Vilafranca del Penedès sits five minutes' drive away and offers a market and plenty of restaurants, but the seaside resort of Sitges can be reached in not much longer than twenty minutes in the car.

Home truths:
*There’s free parking for up to four cars on the driveway
*A cot can be provided if required
*The home is spread across two floors, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility