| Tell me something: every time you read "hidden gem" or "off-the-beaten-track," do you roll your eyes, sigh, immediately stop reading...or all of the above? I get it. I work in travel and am guilty of an occasional (ahem, daily) doomscroll. No gems are truly hidden. But "hidden" or not, gems still sparkle. One precious stone I'd like to polish off is Montenegro, a petite Balkan country with a glimmering Adriatic coastline, rugged peaks, medieval monasteries and old towns like Kotor and Budva - proof that good things really do come wrapped in small packages. It's also fantastically cheaper compared to more heavily touristed European destinations like Italy and Croatia. Montenegro is by no means hidden, but it's surely one of Europe's most unsung vacation spots. It's somewhere I've never been, but somewhere I'm longing to be. I'll be revisiting our first-time guide when that dream eventually does realize itself. | | | Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, I'm a Brooklyn transplant and editor who can't get enough of trips that involve life-altering meals, picking out meaningful (often vintage) souvenirs and loads of opportunities to break out my camera. | | | Montenegro may be small, but this Balkan nation is packed with everything a traveler could want. | | | | | Montenegro's tiny chunk of coastline has some of the most dazzling beaches in the Balkans - or the entire Mediterranean, for that matter. Tip: Many of Montenegro's idyllic shores are rocky, not sandy, so pack some water shoes. Read the article | | | | | Things to know before you go | Perhaps most importantly, tourists must register with the local police within 24 hours of arriving in Montenegro. Know these other tips before visiting. Tip: Pack a raincoat, especially if visiting between April and September. Read the article | | | | | Montenegro's top experiences | Hike in national parks. Encounter ancient history in Budva. Sail to an island church from Perast. Here's what to do and how. Tip: Go for Montenegro's national parks pass, which costs just €13.50 (US$15.50). Read the article | | | |  | Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England | | In the golden light of September, the Cotswolds seem to ooze honey. This land of rolling hills ("wolds"), hiding historic towns and stone hamlets in their clefts and valleys, has long attracted urbanites seeking an English idyll. | | | | Photography by: River Thompson for Lonely Planet, nadtochiy/Shutterstock (2), fokke baarssen/Shutterstock, Christina Vartanova/Shutterstock, Andrew Roland/Shutterstock | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
