Date Visited - Oct 2006

A week of relaxation, sun, great food and views.  This holiday would suit just about everyone.  For the quieter. more relaxing holiday I would recommend Kotor.  For a little more action I would recommend Budva.  Details of two places to stay are on the links below.

We stayed in Kotor, which is a small walled town in Montenegro where no cars are allowed.  We didn't really know what to expect as we were driving through the previously war torn countryside of Montenegro, which is now getting back the beauty that made the former Yugoslavia a great holiday destination.  The views were exquisite and nothing like you would see in England, often giving you a sense of vertigo, which was quickly overcome with a feeling of only being a very small part of the big picture.  May I quickly add that if you choose to drive, please make sure you are a competent driver as the roads are still under repair and driving is somewhat of an extreme sport over there.

On arrival we found our apartment very easily and quickly unpacked so as to partake in some local beers.  While sitting outside under the parasols enjoying our large cold beer, it was hard to believe that the streets of Kotor were, not many years ago, destroyed by war.

During the War                       Present day

 Looking down on Kotor from our climb

 One of Kotor's entrances

Kotor's main entrance

Food and drink were especially cheap and we we're able to eat out every night for the week we stayed out there.  The many restaurants available to us included plenty of options for an evening meal.  Rustic fish restaurants served freshly caught fish, which available to choose from a platter shown to you by the waiter/owner of the restaurant.  For example, one night I had an extremely tasty barracuda.  The fish was usually served with boiled spinach and potatoes or French fries.  Other more modern restaurants served proper Italian Pizza, Stuffed Squid and a variety of salads.  May I also advise you try the pancakes as they are to die for.  Although Kotor has it's own language, English is well-spoken and all the menus have an English section.

The is plenty to keep you amused both in and out of Kotor.  Historically we visited some churches and museums both in Kotor and some surrounding places of interest.  One of these churches being up the side of the mountain that towers above Kotor's interesting architecture.  We found it lovely walk along the Fjord finding small cafes to sit and watch the water.  Also, to my surprise, there were cats everywhere especially in the courtyard pictured to the right.  No one seemed to own them but everyone seemed to feed them.  

While over there we drove to Budva and spent the day there.  Also with it's own walled town, Budva has grown outside of the walls too, making this more of a 'touristy' place.  With great beaches and shops, plus the historical aspect of Kotor.

As we visited in October it was very peaceful due to the lack of tourists but still warmer than a typical English Summer.

The courtyard where 'Top Cat' & his gang hang out

The cats of Kotor

The entrance to the climb and an example of the streets in Kotor

Persat (a short drive from Kotor)

 Budva