Country houses or vista? (8)
I believe the answer is:
panorama
'vista?' is the definition.
('panorama' can be a synonym of 'vista')
'country houses or' is the wordplay.
'country' becomes 'panama' (Panama is an example).
'houses' indicates putting letters inside.
'panama' going around 'or' is 'PANORAMA'.
(Other definitions for panorama that I've seen before include "Unbroken view of surrounding area" , "Total view (of subject)" , "'Vista, view (8)'" , "Wide vista" , "Wide view - TV programme" .)