Is Albania the next Montenegro? Since seceding from Serbia in 2006, Montenegro has fast-forwarded itself into the 21st century, regaining a place in the millionaires' club it last occupied in the 1960s, writes Sam Alexander. Aman Resorts - famous for luxurious hotels in Bali, Marrakesh and Sri Lanka - opened the first phase of a development at Sveti Stefan in 2008 (amanresorts.com).
Now attention is switching to neighbouring Albania. The coastline is home to some of the best beaches in the Med and backed by a mountainous interior that features some striking historical monuments including the fortress town of Kruje, which once resisted Ottoman siege for a mind-boggling 40 years.
Backpackers and DIY adventurers have already made inroads but now the tour operator Holiday Options (0844 477 0451, holidayoptions.co.uk) is dipping its toes into the water, with one-week guided tours from May to October, from £794pp B&B, including flights, transport and four-star hotel accommodation. Albania is also featuring on next year's small-ship cruise programme from Noble Caledonia (020 7752 0000, noble-caledonia.co.uk). Its one-week cruise along the Adriatic includes a day in Albania and starts from £895pp, full-board, including flights and transfers.