In the country of Montenegro, in the west-central Balkans

 “When the pearls of nature were sown, on this soil an ower-flowing handful was gathered. The most beautiful contact between the earth and sea took place at the Montenegrin littoral.” -- George Gordon Byron, a.k.a. Lord Byron

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(in the west-central Balkans at the southern end of the Dinaric Alps) Montenegro -- a country bounded by the Adriatic Sea and Croatia (southwest), Bosnia and Herzegovina (northwest), Serbia (northeast), Kosovo (east), and Albania (southeast) -- shares a maritime boundary with Italy. Montenegro’s administrative capital is Podgorica, though its cultural center is the historical capital and older city of Cetinje. For much of the 20th century Montenegro was a part of Yugoslavia, and from 2003 to 2006 it was a component of the federated union of Serbia and Montenegro. On 3 June 2006, Montenegro declared its independence, which was recognized by the Serbian parliament two days later. The country’s names -- both Montenegro (from Venetian Italian) and Crna Gora -- denote “Black Mountain,” in reference to Mount Lovćen, its historical center near the Adriatic Sea and its stronghold in the centuries of struggle with the Turks. Alone among the Balkan states, Montenegro was never subjugated. Ever since the Roman Empire split in two 1600 years ago, Montenegro has sat on the borderline between east and west. The richness of its cultural history can be seen in the mosaic floors of Roman villas, flamboyantly painted Orthodox monasteries, ornate Catholic churches, elegant minarets of mosques, and the sturdy fortresses built by the numerous powers that have fought over these lands. Then there's the legacy of 50 years as a non-aligned communist state, independent of both the Eastern Bloc and the West. For those with even a passing interest in European history, it's a fascinating place. Among the most notable structures are the Romanesque cathedral of St. Tryphon in Kotor, the 16th-century Husein-Pasha Mosque in Pljevlja, and the Baroque church of Our Lady of the Rocks on an islet in the Bay of Kotor. The old town of Budva (featured here) was of particular importance until it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1979; since rebuilt, it now serves as a beach resort and amusement park.

+ Montenegro’s most popular summer playground, the Budva Riviera, is all about the glittering sea and summertime fun. Yet, Budva is also an ancient settlement, with history and culture that dates back some 2,500 years, and it’s one of Montenegro’s must-see places. The Budva Riviera is famous for its glorious beaches, with long stretches of fine pebble and sand beaches. Slovenska Plaza and Bečići are the most popular with tourists. Then there’s Mogren Beach, found by following a seaside path from the Old Town. Jaz Beach is a lively cove and home to one of Montenegro’s most popular music festivals, Sea Dance Festival. (With everything you need seaside, it’s only too easy to spend every day soaking up the sun on Budva’s beaches.)