Montenegro

Budva is the main draw for beachfront spoils. Take your pick from the lively and bar-lined stretches, or maybe a laid-back belt of sand for a relaxing escape. Peaceful bays surrounded by pines come as standard here, while windsurfing and paragliding add a bit of excitement to any tanning spot.

Italian staples like pizza and pasta make it on to most menus in Montenegro. For authentic local cuisine, bag a table in one of the traditional restaurants – known locally as konobas – and feast on rustic delights such as grilled kebabs, goulash and cabbage leaves stuffed with mincemeat. They’re real treats.

Every town comes with its own open-air market, where you can buy everything from souvenirs to fresh picnic supplies. Local lacework, weaves and woodcarvings are all worth keeping an eye out for. And the olive oil is probably the most luscious you’ll ever taste, so grab a bottle to take home.

Budva is known as the Montenegrin Miami for its glitzy after-hours scene. The harbour road is dotted with cool bars and nightclubs where you can catch international DJs in the summer, and enjoy the cool breeze as you sip your favourite drinks. Swanky clubs grace these parts, so don’t miss a trick.