Actually, there are many more of them. The country has already opened its borders to Russians, and the weather in May is the most suitable for walking. The local color, picturesque mountains, the smell of the sea and black pine trees will not leave any guest indifferent. Here are the main reasons to buy a plane ticket, book a hotel and hit the road right now.
How to get there
You can fly to Montenegro by direct flight from Moscow. Destination: airport in Tivat or Podgorica. However, now direct flights are not operated on a regular basis, and you can also fly with transfers, for example, in Belgrade. The cost of an air ticket is from 34,000 rubles per person round trip*.
It is worth noting that Russian citizens planning a holiday in Montenegro do not have to provide a certificate with negative result of PCR testing.
Things to do
Look for treasure
And Montenegro really does have them. For example, in the spring of 2005, during the restoration of a city hotel in Budva, builders found a safe carefully embedded in the wall, in which they found 60,000 German marks that had been stored there since the war.
Local legends say that the land of Zeta (the old name of Montenegro) still harbors untold riches, valuable artifacts and even pirate treasures.
One of the most popular stories says that a long time ago there was a temple in the mountain of Boka Kotor Bay. Allegedly, gold bars are hidden there to this day, guarded by a dragon. But the entrance there was covered with a pile of stones, and so far no one has been able to find it.
Tour guides love to tell tourists eerie mystical details about the mysterious dragon, but archaeologists are not afraid of him and continue to carefully study ancient manuscripts and dig up ancient rubble, trying to discover the burial place of the treasure.
But even if you don’t have large-scale plans for treasure hunting, it will be interesting to walk through places that keep so many amazing secrets.
Where to stay: Kotor Nest Guesthouse is located in the old town of Kotor, close to the Clock Tower and St. Nicholas Church.
Price: from 3300 rubles per night*.
Try chorba
Chorba is a hot soup whose name comes from the Turkish Çorba (shurpa). The base can be different: meat, fish, seafood or vegetables. But a spicy rich broth is a must.
Everyone who has ever tried chorba will be unanimous: it’s a whole process. And if you manage to find a suitable establishment where all the rules of preparation and serving are strictly followed, during dinner you will be able to completely immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of the country.
Chorba will definitely be served with fresh bread and seasoned with cream, egg or lemon juice. This is traditionally followed by the main course, but the portions in restaurants are so generous that it is better to limit yourself to one soup. Tour guides advise you to find out in advance when the restaurant starts preparing chorba in order to try the fresh dish.
Soup can be found in almost all local establishments. For example, very tasty ciorba is obtained in the restaurants “Chatovicha Mlini” (city of Morinj) and Kuzina (Budva).
Where to stay: the guest house Maestral Apartmani is located on the shore of the Adriatic Sea. You are guaranteed a stunning view from the window and the opportunity to try freshly caught fish in a nearby restaurant.
Price: from 2500 rubles per night*.
Learn to slow down
In Montenegro they don’t like to overwork. Laziness here is a special art and high skill. Local residents themselves are happy to admit this feature. But, according to their own statement, this is not harmful, but for good. After all, being able to take breaks is very important. “If you see someone resting, help him,” says a local saying.
A unique laziness competition takes place here. Participants are required to rest lying down for as long as possible, but are allowed to eat, drink, talk and use a smartphone.
Of course, Montenegrins are not as lazy as they say about themselves. They are just very leisurely. Local residents are rarely caught in a hurry, but they usually do their work more thoroughly and efficiently. They really love and know how to relax. And it’s worth coming here at least to learn this from them.
Where to stay: quiet Franeta Apartments in Budva near the sea. Hospitable hosts, an abundance of restaurants and cafes nearby – an ideal place for a relaxing holiday.
Price: from 2200 rubles per night*.
Sit on two chairs
Or even three, because in Montenegro you can try a wide variety of holiday options. In 10-14 days of vacation you will have time to enjoy views of the sea, mountains, caves, historical sights and even extreme sports.
First of all, Montenegro has stunning landscapes. The nature here is amazing at any time of the year, but by May it fully awakens and pleases with an abundance of flowers and greenery.
Montenegro is an ancient country with a rich history. You can start your acquaintance with the city where you are staying – in each there will definitely be interesting places to visit and architectural monuments. For example, in Budva there is a square of ancient churches built in the 15th and even 9th centuries, a 15th-century Citadel and a door to the sea, which tourists love very much. The street in this place abuts a wall in which there is a double door. You open it and admire the sea.
Continue your journey by exploring the Bay of Kotor, one of the 10 most beautiful fjords in Europe. On its banks are the most famous cities of the country: Kotor, Herceg Novi, Perast, Tivat, as well as many small settlements.
There are also a lot of museums in Montenegro. Most of them are in Podgorica (urban, archaeological, geographical, historical, etc.). If you plan to get to know the country in more detail, visiting them will be very interesting.
A separate item on your must visit list is to include the mountains, which occupy 80% of the country’s territory. This is not only clean air, winding serpentine roads and breathtaking views, but also extraordinary lakes: Pivskoe, Trnovatsko, Skadarskoe and the unique Black, which consists of two reservoirs separated by a small strip of land: Big and Small. But this division can only be seen in summer, when the water level drops.
Where to stay: the unusual art apartments Art Apartments Minic are located 700 meters from the center of Kolasin.
Price: cozy bungalow from 3800 rubles per night*.
Feel like a local
Photo: CA Irene Lorenz/shutterstock.com
The markets are a real immersion into the local culture. Friendly sellers, who are sometimes dressed in national costumes, not only provide food, but also willingly answer questions, give advice and even tell important news. At the same time, they manage to remain pleasant and completely unobtrusive.
On the shelves you can find piles of cheeses, pyramids of sausages, and a sea of vegetables and fruits. In spring there are a lot of berries grown locally or brought from Turkey, Greece and Serbia. Wine, brandy, essential oils and souvenirs are presented in a wide range all year round.
A pleasant bonus is that the prices here are slightly lower than in stores, so Montenegrins themselves often shop at the markets. And if you arrive early in the morning, you can find manufacturers bringing goods and bargain with them even cheaper!
Where to stay: Apartments Belle Vue are located in the center of Herceg Novi. The apartment offers stunning views of the sea and the old fortress.
Price: from 3700 rubles per night*.
*Prices valid at time of publication
Photos: unsplash.com/shutterstock.com
