Many of us dream of living in the countryside, being able to glimpse the occasional fox from the kitchen window or enjoying the sound of owls hooting from nearby woods. But while buying in the depths of Britain’s natural world can be a little pricey, in Europe many of the wildest areas are also the cheapest.

So to mark World Wildlife Day earlier this month, we’re looking at some locations where the neighbours might be that bit wilder and the prices a little lower…

Apennine wolves – Tuscany and Abruzzo

The beautiful Apennine wolf, also called the Italian wolf, is a subspecies of the grey wolf. Astonishing as it may seem, you can find plenty of them wandering the Apennine Mountains in Italy not so very far from where you’re eating a gelato in a pretty village square.

Like many wild species, the Apennine wolf was rescued from near extinction in the 1960s and there are now at least eight packs living in Abruzzo National Park.

Like any wild animal, they play by their own rules. Combine this with their nocturnal habits, and it can be tricky to spot them. Maybe that’s just as well!

If you are hoping to catch a glimpse, start your property search in the mountain villages of Tuscany and Abruzzo or in towns and cities nearby.

Pistoia is a charming and historic city nestled at the foot of the Apennines. You can easily explore the mountains while still being close to other desirable locations, such as Pisa, Lucca and Florence. Awarded the European City of Culture in 2017, life here would involve twice-weekly markets, annual festivals and plenty of outdoor activities – including skiing.

Further south in Abruzzo, the ancient city of Chieti or the modern coastal city of Pescara will place you within driving distance of Abruzzo National Park.

Iberian lynx – Southern Spain

Spain has some of the most varied flora and fauna in Western Europe, including bears and wolves, although these are safely in the north, far from our favourite costas.

Closer to our potential home, however, one animal not so far from the Costa del Sol is Europe’s only big cat, the Iberian lynx. They’re the size of a large dog, as tall as 70cm and spotted like a leopard.

Having come back from the brink of extinction they now number as many as a thousand. There are several groups in Andalusia within the numerous national and natural parks.

In the Donaña National Park, you will find a breeding centre for lynxes, where three cubs have been born this year. Lynxes can also be found further inland in the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park. Your chances of seeing a lynx here are fairly high and both parks offer lynx watching tours.

When it comes to buying property near the parks, Seville is under an hour’s drive to Donaña National Park. Being the capital of Andalusia, there is plenty to see and do. The ancient Moorish city boasts a wonderful mix of architecture – with Gothic, Renaissance and Modern influence – as well as picturesque gardens and vast plazas. The culture is lively, and there are even flamenco clubs so you can really get a feel for traditional Spain.

Alternatively, the city of Córdoba is just over an hour away from the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park. The spectacular Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral would likely be enough to win you over, but the city also offers enchanting streets lined with vibrant flowers, tiny hidden plazas and numerous cafes and restaurants.

Alpine marmot – French Alps

Now for something a little less ferocious – the Alpine marmot. Found in the mountainous areas of France, these cute and characterful animals are part of the squirrel family and are responsible for any strange whistling you might hear on your mountain hikes.

They tend to observe their surroundings on their hind feet and eat using their forepaws like a hamster. Yes, very cute!

Marmots live underground quite high in the Alps, but sleep through the ski season as they hibernate from October. If you do want to see them, your best bet will be during the summer months.

Property in these higher skiing destinations can be expensive, with popular resorts such as Val d’Isere, Chamonix, Grenoble and Alpe d’Huez.

Like the marmot, you might find that you prefer being out and about in the Alps in the summer, when you can swap skiing for high-adrenalin summer sports such as canyoning, climbing, white water rafting and even paragliding.

Try looking beyond the ski resorts too. The picturesque city of Annecy perfectly captures traditional France and has been given the nickname of the “Pearl of the French Alps” due to its beautiful location between the mountains and Lake Annecy.