Sveti Stefan

The island of Sveti Stefan has become an iconic symbol of Montenegro and the flagship of tourism for the country. This former fishing village, perched precariously on an outcrop of rock is connected to the mainland by a slender causeway with a beach on either side. In the 1960s the entire village was converted into a luxury hotel, with guest rooms in the original stone cottages. A maze of narrow stone pathways, terraces and sculpted gardens, it is a secluded and beautiful hideaway. The tiny 15th century chapel still remains. In its heyday was one of the worlds most exclusive resorts, a favourite destination of royalty and celebrity guests including Princess Margaret and Sophia Loren, Elizabeth taylor and Richard Burton.

Sadly the glamour faded and the hotel fell into decline during the Nineties when war isolated Montenegro from the world.

But as the luxury hotel group Amanresorts recently won a bid to restore Sveti Stefan to its former glory it is set to become one of the Adriatic's most exclusive resorts once again.

From Sveti Stefan it is just a short stroll to two inviting beaches separated by rocky headlands. Milocer, or the King's Beach is a long stretch of sandy beach situated beneath the former summer palace of the royal family and backed by a forest of exotic trees. The lovely Queen's Beach is a beautiful spot with a horseshoe of sand and a bay enclosed by great rock formations. The sand slopes gently into the sea, making it safe for children and cypress and olive trees shelter the beach.

A little further is Przno, a pretty little village formed around a little bay, with a craggy islet in its middle. Steep steps lead down from the road to the waterfront which is lined by several seafood restaurants.