74 Maruka, Brac
Sleeps 6

Maruka is a pretty, stone-built townhouse in the village of Mirca, which has been sensitively restored: sadly, not something you find a great deal of on Brac at this price. It’s a short walk from the beach and a great base for anyone who wants to get out and explore the island, as well as for day-tripping by ferry over to Split (a one-hour crossing). Split is also the nearest airport. £2,929/£1,719; 0800 074 0315, jamesvillas.co.uk

75 Stone Villa, Central Dalmatia
Sleeps 6

Set on a hillside above the sea at Podgora, this house has had a chic refurbishment and is — in Croatian terms, at least — great value for money. The pool is sheltered behind the main building, but there’s a terrace above it with splendid views across to the islands of Brac and Hvar. Split airport is 1 hour 50 minutes away by car. £2,646/£1,187; 020 7385 7111, www.croatianaffair.com; ref 1517/0

76 Dol, Brac
Sleeps 6

It’s two miles inland from the beach at Postire, which explains the reasonable price. This stone cottage has just been pimped in modern, low-key style, and comes with air-con, three acres of land and a pool. Split is an hour away by ferry. £2,874/£1,270; 020 7385 7111, www.croatianaffair.com; ref 1522/0

77 The Captain’s House, Peljesac
Sleeps 6 (plus 2 children)

Set on the water at Viganj and blessed with a mature garden, this old seafarer’s house is furnished with antiques, but comes with welcome mod cons such as air conditioning and a deck-edged pool. The island of Korcula is an easy day trip, and Dubrovnik airport is a 2½-hour drive. £5,600/£2,499; 020 8888 6655, croatianvillas.com; ref PJ009

Greece

78 Haniotena Cottage, Crete
Sleeps 2

A couple of history-heads will love this place in the village of Kritsa, above Agios Nikolaos. It’s said to be one of the oldest surviving villages in Crete, and there’s no doubt the ground floor is pretty ancient, with a higgledy-piggledy front door and enormous stone walls. Nearby is Lato — one of those neglected but wildly romantic classical ruins that litter the Cretan countryside. Heraklion airport is an hour’s drive. £1,430/£930; 020 8392 5858, simpsontravel.com

79 The Stonemason’s House, Crete
Sleeps 4

If you’re serious about finding “the real Crete”, this is where to come — a simple house, full of antiques and hand-sewn fabrics, in the tiny village of Embrosnero. The owners, Maria and Yannis, live nearby, and are part of the appeal, as Maria is an excellent cook. Chania airport is an hour’s drive. £625/£599; 01444 880404, purecrete.com

80 Villa Galania, Crete
Sleeps 4

It might lack architectural grace and Cretan atmosphere, but this well-equipped hilltop house near the north coast would make a superb setting for go-nowhere family holidays. It’s the array of outside spaces that make it special: a children’s pool next to the main one, shady terraces and balconies, a big deck with wicker armchairs and table football, a barbecue area with a traditional oven and a herb garden. Chances are you’ll never get bored. Chania airport is 45 minutes by car. £1,775/£660; 01789 297705, freelance-holidays.co.uk

81 Villa Koritsaki, Paxos
Sleeps 4

Set at the far end of a 500yd track near the village of Magazia, Koritsaki is a secretive retreat, cloaked in trees. It has a pool, a garden planted with jasmine, hibiscus and fruit trees, and cool flagstone floors indoors. Hang up a “Do not disturb” sign and enjoy. Paxos is an hour by hydrofoil from Corfu, the nearest airport. £2,680/£1,498; 020 8232 9780, greekislandsclub.com

82 Mansion Sophia, Santorini
Sleeps 4

Down a cobbled lane in the car-free village of Megalochori, Mansion Sophia keeps the rest of the world at arm’s length behind wooden gates and a high white wall. The courtyard is home to a small pool, and the high-ceilinged interiors are full of simple island character. The airport is a 15-minute drive. £5,240/£2,509, including car hire; 00 30 22860 82914, santorini-villas.gr

83 Haritakis House, Crete
Sleeps 6

It’s a simple proposition: a stone house in the middle of nowhere, with lovely sea views and a shady terrace for meals. There’s no pool, no air-con, no fancy sinks in the bathroom — and even in high season, it works out at less than £115pp a week. The nearest beach is at Ligres, five minutes away. Chania airport is two hours by car. £680/£385; 01789 297705, freelance-holidays.co.uk

84 Villa Svega, Crete
Sleeps 6

In the 15th century, they used to store acorns and carrots here — under two arched stone vaults. Now one of those vaults provides dramatic high-ceilinged rooms on the ground floor, while the other is the perfect place for shaded alfresco meals. The house, in the middle of the village of Gallou, near Rethymnon, also has a pretty garden, a rooftop terrace and its own pool. Heraklion airport is 90 minutes by car. £1,450/£930; 0845 675 2600, www.islands-of-greece.co.uk

85 Villa Kastanida, Paxos
Sleeps 6

If you dream of having barefoot lunches beneath the shade of oaks and olive trees, this could be the perfect setting. It’s a restored Paxiot farmhouse at the end of a private lane, with an infinity pool and sunset views over the sea. The only drawback is that one of the bedrooms has no air conditioning. Paxos is an hour by hydrofoil from Corfu, which is home to the nearest airport. £2,089/£619; 0800 091 1601, sunisle.co.uk