In the shadow of Mount Orjen’s limestone ridges and the rising coastal hills of the Bay of Kotor, pretty little Herceg Novi slopes its way down to a glittering shoreline of pebbly beaches, hidden coves and the scintillating waters of the southern Adriatic Sea. As a tourist stop-off, the town remains relatively off the radar, drawing in meagre summertime crowds compared to Montenegro’s other boom resorts down the coast. That makes for something of a laid-back vibe between the bobbing fishing boats of the harbour and the tight-knit cobblestone streets of the Stari Grad, the old town centre. Here Herceg Novi tour guides can be spotted making their way from under the iconic clock tower, weaving between the lively sunny piazzas, pointing out the spires of the Savina Monastery and the formidable bulwarks of the Kanli Kula Fortress on the hill. Out in the bay sea kayaks glide between the rising cliffs, while excursion boats make a beeline for the Blue Grotto cave and Mamula Island, navigating their way past the strips of sun-kissed sand and pebbles and the pizzerias and seafood restaurants that cluster along the city’s Riviera.