The most scenic spots of the Balkan region

Kotor, the fairytale city in Montenegro

Russet red rooftops and coffee-coloured brickwork define the looks of the harbour town of Kotor, which, like much of Montenegro, looks as though it’s been spirited into life from the pages of a storybook.

Up in the hills that lead to the hinterlands, the streets curl up past the grand old fortress that once kept Kotor safe from pirates and other brigands in centuries past. While, down towards the harbour, the cobbled lanes slope into a marina full of shimmering white yachts and other leisure boats. On a hot day you can see countless sails standing tall on the glistening, rich blue water of the bay.

This natural harbour is cupped by a dramatic mountain range that further backs up Kotor’s fantastical beauty. The authenticity of Kotor’s people speaks to tradition and family values as much as welcoming the new friends the city is making through its growing tourism appeal.

Dubrovnik, the stylish Croatian city

Another splendid city in the Balkan region is Dubrovnik, which has plenty of reasons for being one of the most visited parts of Croatia. In fact, the entire city is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to the pronounced history that’s gone into every stone and beam of every structure in town.

Rocky outcrops shelter the white walls and terracotta rooftops of Dubrovnik’s buildings from the wider Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, while grand medieval walls remain as protective of the city today as they ever have.

It makes sense that Dubrovnik should be treasured in an embrace of masonry, not least since its history in forming the Croatia we enjoy today is told in vivid detail through its many museums and galleries.

Dubrovnik has been a Byzantine city and ally to Ancona, the classic rival to the Venetian maritime state of centuries past. Its role in the evolution of the Mediterranean is more involved than you might think – and it’s made the entire town look fantastic.

Nessebar, Bulgaria's 'Pearl of the Black Sea'