With its exposed Gaiola wooden beams taking center stage against a backdrop of stylish Scandinavian furniture, this expertly restored Pombalinan apartment in Lisbon's busy Baixa is a real beauty. Despite being close to lively streets in Alfama, Mouraria and Praça Figueira, it's still surprisingly quiet at nighttime. The iconic Tram 28 is just a five-minute walk away, Praça do Comércio riverside ten minutes away, and a handful of fantastic museums are just a little further on from that.

Home truths:
*The provision of basic kitchen crockery, pots and pans isn't as generous as it could be

*As there's no railing to help guests ascend to the first floor of the apartment, it's not ideal for toddlers or less mobile elderly people

*Tall guests beware – the first floor of this apartment has lower sloping ceilings which are not suitable for people over 175 cm tall

*Without a home guidance manual, be prepared for some guesswork when working the technical appliances

*Other than the forty-three inch TV and a TV in the bedroom, there are very few entertainment options – no games console, sound system, cards, or board games