Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

There are few places on earth that offer the combination of dramatic, rugged scenery and well-preserved historic sites quite like the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. This is the setting of Sveti Stefan, a 15th-century village that used to be an island—until it was connected to the mainland via a narrow strip of land. Marked by cobbled lanes, shady courtyards, and signature red-tiled roofs (some of which date back 600 years), the island of Sveti Stefan is now the exclusive domain of the Aman Sveti Stefan. Linger  over a meal at the restaurants lining the open-air piazza, or sunbathe on pink-sand beaches and dive into the turquoise Adriatic Sea. A short drive or sail away, you can explore the winding alleys and grand plazas of the walled city of Budva, whose charming Old Town dates back to the fifth century.