Heritage Grand Perast, Montenegro

On the shores of the Balkans' turquoise waters and in the shadow of verdant, rolling mountains, this former 18th-century palace impresses both inside and out. Guests enter via a smart white-washed courtyard with ivy-adorned walls, while 11 room options are all plush fabrics, cream furnishings and touches of satin and silk. The most luxurious option, the Royal Palace Suite, affords space for up to four guests to enjoy use of an exclusive duplex with a balcony.

Come evenings, a polished wood and white marble bar with copper lighting is the perfect setting for a pre-dinner drink before indulging at the brick-walled restaurant that serves dishes such as marinated skakavica fish with white cabbage and projanica, a local savoury cheesecake, overlooking the shimmering mountain-lined Bay of Kotor.

The onsite spa, sauna and pool are ideal for whiling away the hours, but it's Montenegro's natural delights that really impress. Head to the shores of some of Montenegro’s best beaches just moments away before taking in Perast's historic museum, picturesque streets and baroque palaces. The dazzling UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor and nearby island of Sveti Dorde and its ancient monastery are also unmissable sights, and further afield, don't miss a trip to the famous walls of Dubrovnik.