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THE FULL MONTENEGRO

WANT GREAT WEATHER, PRETTY TOWNS AND A PICTURESQUE COASTLINE WITHOUT THE CROWDS AND PRICEY PLONK? THEN HEAD FOR MONTENEGRO – BUT HURRY, OR YOU MIGHT FIND THE PLANE’S FULLY BOOKED

By Laura Dixon

When we heard Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour was rolling into the town of Budva in Montenegro, it got our trend radar twitching.

If Her Madgesty deems this little-known country important enough to feature on her itinerary, we need to know about it.

It turns out Montenegro is one of Europe's hottest getaways, attracting film crews (Casino Royale was set here, making the most of the hair-raising switchback roads) and the well-heeled alike.

The luxury Aman hotel group is revamping the island resort of Sveti Stefan next year, guaranteeing an influx of celebs, little dogs and Louis Vuitton luggage.

And small wonder. Bordering the Adriatic Sea, and east of Italy's glam south-eastern coast, Montenegro offers dazzling coastal scenery, secluded coves and historic towns around every bend.

It might be eastern Europe, but it's more cosmopolitan than you'd expect – the currency is the Euro, and English is spoken alongside Montenegrin.

What to see

You'll need a car if you want a good look at the country, and the medieval walled city of Kotor, on the stunning Bay of Kotor, makes a perfect starting point. The narrow streets are lined with idyllic stone churches and cafés serving local Mediterranean-style dishes and super-strong coffee, a national tradition. Try it with a Rakija chaser – a local brandy.

As the sun sets, head into the old town with its bustling bars and clubs blaring out anything from local gypsy music to techno and pop. Then head back to the four-star Hotel Splendido, which really lives up to its name – once an 18th century seafarer's palace, it has a heated outdoor seawater pool and a private beach.

Next up, head for the Budva Riviera – an unmissable stretch of coastline with over 20 miles of golden sands. The beaches here are the country's most developed, with plenty of bars, cafés and clubs to entertain you. It's here on Jaz Beach where Madonna's show will take place, to a backdrop of fields of wild flowers.

Further south is the former royal retreat of Milocer. The old palace is now a hotel with a marina, cocktail bar and private beach. Royal antiques still decorate the rooms, and even if you're not staying, dining under the trellis in its open-air restaurant is a must.

Also on the Adriatic coast is the five-star Hotel Splendid in Becici, which boasts a private beach, as well as a luxurious spa, stocked with Elemis and YSL products. Well, after having this much fun, you'll need a spot of pampering. Madonna would definitely approve.

Photography: alamy, getty, scopefeatures.com. All prices correct at time of going to press.