Montenegro

The perfect pairing to its 2,000-year-old culture of winemaking, Montenegro’s reputation as a destination for all seasons does not disappoint. There’s something blissful about toasting a glass or two on the southern seafront, gazing out across the yachts floating in the marina. Beyond, the spellbinding scenery of the Dinaric Alps rises almost impossibly from calm waters, forming a backdrop of natural grandeur to this contemporary hotspot for high society. Though whether a long weekend stretches out in front of you in Luštica Bay or Porto Montenegro, touring a traditional winery quite literally gives you a taste of local history.

A must-do excursion in our eyes, exploring the Bay of Kotor unlocks the wealth of small islands and medieval towns dotting its periphery. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the standout stop on the agenda is, of course, Kotor itself; a fortified Venetian town known for its maze of cobbled streets and Romanesque churches. Not the only spot to stand the test of time, sailing slowly past picturesque Perast lands visitors at Our Lady of the Rocks, a manmade island built over 500 years ago. Once a space reserved in prayer for the safe return of seafarers, today the enduring tradition is to leave something behind – the brides of Boka Bay are known to leave their bouquets by the alter, though a coin is enough to leave your mark on Montenegro.

However, searching for a truly authentic Montenegrin experience takes discerning travellers inland, away from the fjord-like shores of the west, through the elegance of the old royal capital, and to the spellbinding scenery of Skadar National Park.