Summer's here; and so are the deluge of advertisements from leading tour operators exhorting us to take that much needed vacation providing respite from the blazing sun. But the one ad that caught my fancy was about customized luxury holidays to rural England.

England… the name epitomizes a veritable mosaic of colours and pictures. I was almost seized by an irresistible impulse to make a reservation myself. The expansive description of the odyssey through this magical country further enhanced my affinity for the place.

But for those that have always craved relentlessly for a life of bucolic bliss, the above account would seem too generic to be effective. If you're looking for a retreat that's an intoxicating mix of fabulous accommodation, spectacular weather and unbelievable scenic beauty, it's time to get high on England farmhouse holidays.

Free From The Shackles Of Convention

Holidays in a British farmhouse promise a great deal of fun, particularly for those whose lives have been straitjacketed in stereotypes. It is a priceless opportunity to experience an enviable life of idyllic bliss in the much-feted farmhouse accommodation in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

The moment you think of these places you instantly conjure up heart-warming images with remarkable alacrity. The imposing presence of rolling hills, lakes and olive and cypress trees ensures that the landscape does not fade off your radar that easily. Of course, the sun-drenched country homes and cottages known coast to coast for their rustic décor and inhabited by women possessing exceptional cooking skills, place all your ambivalent feelings in mortal jeopardy.

All Niggling Doubts Laid To Rest

Just in case you still harbour any kind of doubts about this unabashed celebration of beauty in simplicity, here are answers that would succeed in assuaging your fears. Read on, for this is sure to be one insightful experience that will impact you in more ways than one.

Can You Make Yourself At Home?

A holiday can be the harbinger of gloom if the place you stay in does not make you comfortable. But in rural England, the options are endless, and need not be influenced only by exorbitant hotels and resorts. You can rent rooms in luxurious holiday apartments and farmhouse rentals, in elegant British vacation villas or plonk yourself in quintessential British houses, bang in the middle of a picture-postcard perfect village. Holiday cottages and homes, self-catering holiday accommodation and bed and breakfast inns- all of them give luxury and style a whole new meaning.

And this matchless style and sophistication is kind of ubiquitous. Whether the Cotswolds, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset or Dorset, the accommodation is par excellence. I'm not surprised if you're already planning to acquire real estate property.

Are There Facilities To Match?

Accommodation without any facilities is like serving delectable food minus any seasoning. Got the picture? But here too, you realize that this is merely another tenuous contention.

The farmhouses may display a very traditional and rustic character, but scratch the surface, and an elegantly furnished pad comes to the fore. Central heating, air conditioning, satellite television, state-of-the-art kitchens, swimming pool with Jacuzzi, you name it, they display it with trademark British pride.

Step outside on to the massive balcony or terrace overlooking the immaculately manicured gardens and the panoramic view of the countryside leaves you in raptures. Truly, an unspoilt paradise that comes like a breath of fresh air for both couples and families.

Only Beauty, And No Action?

I agree, a few days down the line and the landscape resounding with silence can become quite grating. But there's no dearth of heart-stopping action here.

Swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing, jogging and trekking are more than adequate to leave you gasping for breath. You sure need to make up for all those calories lost. What better place than the local restaurants, euphemistically referred to as 'gastronomical heaven'. Treat yourself to sumptuous home-made, freshly cooked country recipes. Are your taste buds are already gripped by frenzy?

Can I Take It Easy Too?

If you're like me and believe that a holiday is meant to be enjoyed at a salubrious, laidback pace, then you certainly can have your say. There are guided tours to scores of private museums, art galleries, churches and haute couture boutiques that leave you breathless.

The fabulous manner in which holidays in British farmhouses combine the serenity of the picturesque landscape with the seething energy medieval towns is really the stuff that pastoral dreams are made of.

If you're delirious with joy just reading about this unforgettable sojourn, can you imagine what it would be like to be a part of it? Your thoughts have already made a trip to rural England, right?