Montenegro is often described as the new Croatia, but it has plenty of character of its own and sandy beaches to rival anything in Croatia. Tourism has been slow to recover from the Balkan conflict, although a probable split from Serbia this year will help. There will be new golf courses and beach resorts on the wild southern coast and a trebling of hotel capacity in the next five years — so now is the time to go.

SINGLES

SINGLE-MINDED
The single supplement is the bane of solo travellers, but Saga has no extra charges for singles on its all-inclusive holidays in Montenegro. At the three-star Hotel Avala in Budva, you are just a short walk from the beach and the attractive walled town, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1979. The cost of £529 for one week in June includes all meals, a free bar and two local excursions. Minimum age 50, or 40 for travelling companions. Saga (0800 0960074, www.saga.co.uk).

COUPLES

CHILL OUT
Many hotels in Montenegro are high-rise hangovers from the Yugoslav era, so the chic, boutique-style Casa Negra in Przno comes as a pleasant surprise, with just eight rooms in a stone cottage on the promenade. Breakfast is served on the terrace until noon, after which you can spend an afternoon on the beach before dinner at the seafood restaurant next door. Cost is £493pp for one week in June and £823 for two weeks in August for a room with a sea view, including flights. Holiday Options (0870 4208372, www.holidayoptions.co.uk).

TREAT YOURSELF
This is your last chance to stay at Sveti Stefan, a famous hotel built in the 1950s out of a picturesque 15th-century fishing village. Previous guests have included Sophia Loren and the Queen Mother. At the end of summer, the hotel will close to reopen in 2007 as a luxury resort. A week’s half-board in June costs £657 per person and two weeks in August is £1,151, including flights. Inghams (020-8780 4433, www.inghams.co.uk).

FAMILIES

TODDLER-FRIENDLY
The small, family-run Hotel Danica in the village of Petrovac is a short stroll from the promenade and a sandy beach. Family suites have a double and a twin bedroom. A seven-night half-board stay in June costs £542pp, including flights to Dubrovnik and car hire; 14 nights in August is £940. Under-2s pay a fixed charge of £35. Croatian Affair (020-7385 7111, www.croatianaffair.com).

ACTION STATIONS
Stay in the mountain village of Kolasin, near Biogradska Gora National Park. The owner of Vila Jelka has his own farm, which produces organic food. He can also arrange horse-riding, caving and rafting on the Tara River. The cost is £30pp per night, including dinner; book your own flights. Kolasin also has the new upmarket Bianca spa resort, with rooms from £90 a night. Bosmere Travel (01473 834094, www.bosmeretravel.co.uk).

RELAX AND UNWIND
Hotel Maestral, overlooking the beach at Przno, has indoor and outdoor pools, a children’s playground, and a bridge to a private beach. Grown-ups can enjoy a Thai massage in the hotel spa. A week at May half-term, including four evening meals, costs £699 for adults and £594 for children; two weeks in August costs £1,235 for adults and £988 for children. Holiday Options (0870 4208372, www.holidayoptions.co.uk).

Top tips

• Most visitors to Montenegro arrive via Dubrovnik. The airport is about 10 miles (16km) from the border, and it is easy to hire a car in Croatia.
  
  
• Charter flights in summer to Tivat save about two hours in transfer time. Another option is to fly with Ryanair to Bari in Italy and take the overnight ferry to Kotor.
  
  
• Although it is not in the European Union, Montenegro has adopted the euro as its currency.