Rather than join the throngs at the beach some place maybe you are considering the relative peace of the countryside as an alternative so you can put your life in the slow lane.

You can go country and still be hip and trendy if you go for an area such as the Cotswolds in the UK.

Madonna and many others call it home from time to time.

A good guide to the place is Wild in the Cotswolds which besides the usual guide offers portraits of some of its talented residents such as Barbara Manzi-Fe (photographer) and her flower portraits.

If you like cooking and gardening pay a visit to Rob Winperis at his Selsley Herb Nursery in Bilsey (pictured here).

Another famous Cotswolds resident is Alex James ('Blur' bass player and now cheese maker).

Previous story on the Cotswolds: From Rock Star to Gentleman Farmer