The places to be this summer – where to go on vacation in 2017.

Spring has sprung – and with it, thoughts inevitably turn to the ultimate light at the end of the tunnel: summer. Beachwear still needs to be chosen, abs honed and sunglasses selected. But where should you take your hard-earned gains this year? Ahead of the curve of course – and here’s where you’ll currently find that on the map.

Guatemala is Central America’s next major hotspot, and nowhere there is hotter than Antigua – an old colonial city encircled by volcanoes. Perched in Guatemala’s central highlands, Antigua is a riot of colour, creativity and culture, and a fantastic jumping off point for exploring the rest of this criminally underrated country. Must-sees include the extraordinary Mayan temples of Tikal and the unforgettable Lake Atitlán, which novelist Mr Aldous Huxley famously praised as the most beautiful lake in the world.

Where to stay

El Convento

visitguatemala.com

Following an impressive 26 per cent growth in tourism last year, Croatia is once again expected to be a major destination in the Mediterranean this summer. The smart money, however, is on beating the crowds – and the price hikes – in Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb by heading straight to Šibenik instead. One of Croatia’s most historic cities, Šibenik is adored by locals but yet to be discovered by much of the outside world (apart from Mr Brad Pitt, who recently holidayed here). A great base for island-hopping (the Kornati archipelago off the coast contains around 150 islands, islets and atolls), it also represents exceptional value, with the Croatian Kuna one of the few international currencies not pummelling the post-Brexit pound.

**Where to stay: **Solaris Hotel Jure

croatia.hr

Luxury hotel brands are starting to flock to Cambodia, with Rosewood, Six Senses and Alila all set to open game-changing properties here by the summer. Home to some of Southeast Asia’s most stunning islands, it’s no surprise that the coast is garnering the majority of attention – and now is your chance to get there before mainstream tourism catches up in 2018. New direct flights into coastal Sihanoukville are another bonus, saving the traditional four-hour transfer from Phnom Penh via road and ferry. What all of this means is a smoother journey to smoother digs, before everyone else gets there.

**Where to stay: **Alila Villas Koh Russey

tourismcambodia.org

It’s borderline crazy that this tiny Eastern European nation, with its lush countryside and untouched Adriatic coastline isn’t a bigger blip on the holiday radar. Not only is Montenegro indisputably one of the world’s most beautiful countries, it’s also one of the cheapest – partly thanks to the fact that it’s still finding its feet after declaring independence from Serbia in 2006. Channel your inner Bond villain by booking yourself into the incredible Aman Sveti Stefan, which is built around a 15th-century fortress on an island off the Budva Riviera – a spectacular 22-mile strip of coastline renowned for its outstanding beaches.

**Where to stay: **Aman Sveti Stefan

visit-montenegro.com

The Lion City continues to roar loudly in the style stakes, but smart travellers are now heading to peaceful Sentosa – an island just off its southern tip. Combining two excellent beaches – buzzing Palawan and peaceful Tanjong, with the frankly extraordinary Capella Singapore hotel (a former military barracks re-imagined by Lord Norman Foster), it affords a sleek, peaceful retreat for whenever you’re not heading cityside to grab a Singapore sling at one of the multiple rooftop bars cropping up across the ever-changing skyline. Late summer also sees the 10th anniversary of Singapore’s famous Grand Prix, and potentially its last. Expect all the stops to be pulled out for this one, with a raft of A-List entertainment included in tickets to the iconic night race.

**Where to stay: **Capella Hotel

yoursingapore.com