Russia to Montenegro

June 23, 2019

It was a quick transit in the airport and I was onboard the next flight. We took a 737 to Tivat Airport near Kotor, Montenegro.

Flight was about 3 and a half hours and I slept most of it, after I had lunch-third time having fish but it seemed to be the better choice!

Arrival into Tivat was quick and easy except for the fact that my luggage wasn’t there.

I spent about 45 minutes in the lost and found department then the Aeroflot desk and back-and-forth with no answer, call tomorrow. So I left disappointed and hopeful that I get my luggage. Thankfully I always take a bathing suit, a dress and a few things to hold me over for a day.

So where is Montenegro?

Very excited to see Montenegro, it’s been on my list for quite a few years. Montenegro is one of Europe’s youngest nations, it only gained its independence in 2006 and has become very popular. Just south of Croatia and a bit exotic, Montenegro isn’t as flashy as Croatia’s famous Dalmatian Coast and noticeable less affluent. But it does have dramatic scenery with rugged mountains and a sun drenched coast line that has seen it’s share of rulers from different empires-Venetian, Austrian and Russian to Bulgarian and even Napoleon. While I am seeing the beautiful and history villages of Montenegro, there are many the still have the drab and gritty Yugoslav era look.

My hotel is an old stone building that is about 600 years old and was once the home of nobility. The current owners keep it beautiful and full of antiques of the period.

I love my room, it’s so atmospheric and it’s right in the middle of the old town. The old town is surrounded by walls and is pedestrian only.

The great wall of Kotor is nearly 3 miles long and sits on extremely inaccessible terrain, it was built between the 9th and 19th centuries. Thickness varies from 6 to 50 feet and tallest parts are 65 feet high.

Old town‘s maze like street plan is confusing, but it’s so small and atmospheric that getting lost is fun! Cafes and bars spill out into the squares and tangled alleys, pretty little shops in between. As the streets get narrower, the shops get more interesting.

Kotor has a rich history as a heavily fortified commercial port since Medieval times. It was one of the most important trading centers in this area of the Adriatic Coast. Sometimes called a “little Dubrovnik” but is more low key, less historic, and much smaller than its neighbor.

Wandering around in the evening was so beautiful, the city looks so different in the golden light. I sat in a beautiful square and listened to live jazz music and had the most delicious dinner-Gnocchi with truffles and shrimp!