TINY, BUT Proud MONTENEGRO LIKE A COUNTRY FROM ANCIENT MYTH: HOW IF ITS TERRITORY HAS BEEN COLLECTED FROM PIECES BY USING MAGIC. BLUE-BLUE FJORDS, DARK HILLS, FISHING HOLIDAYS IN SUNNY BAYS, STONE ROADS DISAPPEARING IN FORESTS, CHURCHES, ISLANDS - ALL THIS IS RELIEFLY ONE.
CITIES AND RESORTS
The sun sets over Kotor Bay, the calm water seems golden, its reflections are emphasized by stone houses against the background of gray high granite rocks. This bay is one of those natural wonders that have made Montenegro such a popular resort in recent times.
The bay has an unusual shape: a narrow channel divides it into two halves - external and internal, and the internal, in turn, is divided into two more parts. To enjoy the beauty of the bay from above, it is better to climb Mount Lovcen.
Kotor, which is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, was built by the ancient Venetians and for almost 300 years it was under the rule of Venice, and therefore their influence is clearly visible in the local architecture. Among the alleys and squares you can find a Gothic cathedral of the XII century, dedicated to St. Tryphon, the main patron of the city. One of the country's largest clubs, Maximus, is also located here - on summer evenings they play a variety of music, from dance to Balkan folk. And at the top of the bay is the Venetian settlement of Perast. In this tiny town - as many as 16 churches and about the same number of old, but still magnificent mansions.
Two-story houses are scattered along the streets of Kotor - a reminder of the aristocratic past - and ancient, hunchbacked churches stand in quiet squares. The city is located right by the water and on all sides is surrounded by cliffs of limestone, which form the bay of Kotor.
In another popular town - Tivat - there is the main airport of the coast, and from here it is easy to get to the quiet, pristine peninsula of Lustica with its olive groves and beaches - including the famous Miriste beach. Tivat is famous for the elite Montenegrin resort Porto Montenegro, a kind of Montenegrin St. Tropez with a luxurious marina on the shore of the Bay of Kotor. This luxury yacht complex has no analogues in the entire Adriatic, and in Europe there are only a few such projects. In fact, the project was conceived as a small city, where there is everything necessary for recreation, residence of yacht owners and lovers of yacht sports. The beauty of Kotor Bay, excellent conditions for yachting and the proximity of the airport made this place ideal for aristocrats and a wealthy public. In addition, a shipyard operates in Tivat, where you can order the construction of a yacht.
The most developed tourist city of the coast is Budva. You will find the best beaches in the suburban village of Pržno and near the resort of Sveti Stefan. Further south, closer to Albania, is the quiet family resort of Petrovac. Further south, near Bar, there are stone beaches and bays with clear water, ideal for diving, for example, Malevik.
The famous Shkodar lake, which is so often depicted on various postcards with views of Montenegro, is located a little off the coast, not far from Bar - this is a national park, the entrance to which is in the city of Virpazar. Here you can take a boat trip - local fishermen will gladly conduct an hour-long excursion.
FROM DUBAI TO TIVAT
In October 2016, a flydubai plane made its first flight from Dubai to Tivat, carrying on board representatives of the press, travel agencies from all over the Middle East and the management of flydubai. The flight took about 5 hours. Flydubai is considering launching a regular Dubai-Tivat flight from mid-2017. park, the entrance to which is in the city of Virpazar. Here you can take a boat trip, local fishermen will gladly spend an hour tour.
MONKEY MONEY
In addition to untouched nature, ecological purity and mild climate, Montenegro has long been known as a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians, because this country is surprisingly rich in ancient monasteries and temples. In total, there are about 60 monasteries and 620 Orthodox churches in Montenegro, built from the beginning of the XII to the end of the XX century.
The pilgrims are of undoubted interest in the Cathedral of St. Tryphon in Kotor (XII century) and the Church of Gosud od Skrpjela, erected on a man-made island in the Bay of Kotor.
Among the Orthodox monasteries, the most beautiful is in Ostrog. The dazzling white monastery is carved into the rock. Here you will always meet a line of pilgrims who want to look at the relics of St. Basil the Ostrog Wonderworker in one of two small chapels.
And in the city of Cetinje (the former capital of Montenegro) at the foot of Mount Eagle Cross is the famous Cetinje Monastery, built in the early XVIII century and has become a religious, political and educational center. The main monastery church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here are the shrines of the monastery: the relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, part of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, the imperishable right hand of St. John the Baptist, which used to belong to the Romanov dynasty. During the Civil War, this great Christian shrine was taken by Empress Maria Fedorovna (mother of Nicholas II) to Copenhagen. She wished that she was stored on Orthodox land, and transferred it to the Montenegrin Metropolis. The monastery has been the seat of the Montenegrin metropolitans for more than 500 years. He is rightfully considered the heart and soul of the Orthodox Montenegro, a symbol of freedom and the strong spirit of the Montenegrin people.
Montenegro’s State Museum is also located in Cetinje. The museum has an excellent collection of Montenegrin paintings - but be prepared that the guides will not leave you alone. The main attraction of the museum is the oldest and priceless icon of Our Lady of Filmer, painted by St. Luke, which is stored in a specially designed room with special, almost mystical lighting.
In conclusion, I want to say that Montenegro is so diverse in its natural landscapes, and in cultural and religious life that you involuntarily fall in love with it, especially since Russian people here are always very happy.
REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO
Regent Porto Montenegro - one of the most prestigious hotels on the Adriatic coast - opened in 2014. Its architecture reflects the centuries-old ties of the region with Venice, so it looks elegant and aristocratic. Located on the shore of the Boka Kotor Bay, right on the promenade, which is decorated with slender palm trees. The bay is a fjord surrounded by mountain peaks. Here is the largest marina for superyachts on the Adriatic coast, located along the route of many of the popular cruise and yacht routes in the Mediterranean.
The interior design of the hotel was done by Tino Cervudachi from MHZ (Milinaric, Henry & Zervudachi): his past clients include, for example, Mick Jagger.
The hotel has a gym, a pool overlooking the bay and another pool - in the open air, on the terrace of the first floor, overlooking the marina; 51 double rooms and 35 more rooms and apartments (with one, two and three bedrooms), each of which has balconies. The interior of the hotel is a bit like the interior of a luxury yacht: wood, blue and beige fabrics, linen canopies that look like sails.
The Dining Room Restaurant occupies a huge hall with high ceilings, cornices and red curtains. A few more tables are on the veranda in the Italian Garden, which overlooks the marina. Chef Zeljko Knezovic studied at the Noma restaurant in Copenhagen and still follows the motto "elegant but simple." He prepares intricate Mediterranean dishes with Asian notes - always with fresh, local produce.
The Library Bar opens in the evenings - it looks like a London gentleman's club: leather chairs, an open fireplace, shelves of ancient books and a piano. Champagne and whiskey are served here. And the Gourmet Corner Cafe - also overlooking the yachts - specializes in French pastries and sorbets.
WHAT TO TRY?
Of local dishes, you must definitely try meat delicacies (prshut) and cheeses, especially from Negushi. The best local fast food is burek (puff pastry) and chevapi (kebab). There are various restaurants here: from simple and convenient to luxurious, but all of them are united by a huge portion size. Fresh fish and seafood are very good. They are grilled and served almost everywhere with potatoes and beetroot leaves - despite the prevalence, this salad does not bother at all. But be on the lookout: homemade brandy - grape vodka or plums - is treated as easily as a cup of tea in other countries.
THINGS TO DO?
• Visit the towns of Kotor and Perast, included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.
• Take a boat trip to the islands of the Virgin on the Reef and St. George.
• Go trekking in the Durmitor National Park, which is also on the UNESCO List and is considered the last black pine forest in Europe.
• Explore the coast of Montenegro with a length of 294 km - here you will find mysterious caves, charming harbors, and uninhabited islands.
• Look at Skadar Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Southern Europe, home to the largest bird population in Europe. In Montenegro there are also other lakes, as well as glaciers, waterfalls, grottoes and ice caves.
• Go to national reserves in the north of the country. According to local residents, this is the most beautiful part of Montenegro.
Text: Irina Malkova
