These Green Hills

We've been completely charmed by this unusual offering in the hills. Just forty-five minutes outside Barcelona and close enough to the coast to get to the beaches of El Masnou in half that time, it's a tucked-away slice of rustic heaven. Put together by an owner who also happens to be an interior designer, it's a delightfully Bohemian spot that, thanks to its hillside location, has views to die for.

Step inside and you'll be wowed by the building's character and eclectic decor. Tiled floors and picture windows meet vintage furniture, quirky wall art and all sorts of interesting bits and pieces collected by the owner on his travels. There's a small kitchen, a pretty bedroom and even a desk under the stairs so you can work remotely during your stay.

But it's the outdoor space that really makes this place shine, and while some of it is shared, there's a private garden and an outdoor lounge that is out of this world. With a traditional outdoor kitchen and barbecue, a dining table and a comfy sofa, all shaded from the sun, it's where we're guessing you'll spend the majority of your time here – just gazing out across the hills. And that's not all. In the shared part of the garden, there's a covered deck where you can read in peace and a small above-ground pool. It's the icing on the cake.

Home truths:
*Two guests will be sleeping on the sofa bed in the lounge
*There's a casita in the garden sleeping two which can be rented along with the home – it shares the bathroom
*Part of the gardens are shared, including the pool – although you'll usually have them to yourselves
*If you're using the outdoor lounge, the host asks that you move inside after midnight
*Perfect for working remotely, there's high-speed internet, pocket wi-fi and workstations
*There are window air conditioning units
*You'll need a car for this location – there's off-road parking
*The garden and pool will be maintained on a daily basis
*Linen service is provided every three days from arrival
*There's a small fee for using the tumble dryer