Monte
Clark Weeks’ wife is from Montenegro and they wanted to give an intro to Montenegro and share this wonderful country with the world. It has a beautiful coastline with charming towns, mountains with ski resorts and the people are friendly.
Picture this: a quite riverside village basking beneath the golden sun, the water upon the horizon glistening and dancing beneath the distance image of a smaller isle of green and shoal. The buildings climb up the cobblestone streets and walls, and a bell tower with an orange roof stands proud above the streets and seas, the simple imagery causing the sound of bells ringing far away in the distance to resonate in your ears.
This seems like a picture you’d only see on one of those hokey inspirational quote posters from the early 2000s, but what if I told you such a place exists in the country of Montenegro? One of the newer countries in Europe after becoming an independent land in 2006, chances are you’ve seen a picture from this beautiful place, but never knew its name until now.
It boasts some of the most breathtaking views Europe has to offer, from the gorgeous country sides that look as though they were shaped by divinity and finished with an emerald touch, or the old villages whose architecture has withstood the test of time.
Perast
Even a day trip around Montenegro won’t be enough to show you all it has to offer, but it can show you a lot! You could begin your day by venturing out to Perast, a sleepy little seaside town where a day in the life of the locals is easy to observe, fishing and sailing the tranquil waters, and selling their goods to one another at arguably some of the best prices you’ll find around! It’s a lovely place to go, and there’s a lot less tourist density here, so if you are one to escape the mundane crowds, this is certainly among the best places you could visit!
If religious sites and architecture are more your venture, you’ll find no shortage of famous houses of worship that will not only leave you in awe, but look truly unique in your photo album! “Our Lady of the Rocks” is like something out of a postcard that you just don’t believe is a real place, and when you hear about its origins, you may still question it. Built upon a manmade island of blocks and stone over half a millennium ago by fishermen just off of Perast, it is one of the few Catholic Church located in the country, which is Orthodox in majority.
Bobotuv Kuk and Kotor
But if you want to see from the eyes of heaven itself, the most adventurous thing to do in any country is to climb to a really high place and take it all in, right? Bobotuv Kuk is quite an endeavor to make, but for the thrill seekers and moderately seasoned hikers, you will never see a better view than this place. It will take several hours, and you will most definitely need proper climbing equipment to make it to the summit, but the view is ultimately worth the journey if you want to see the sunset horizon bask the glacial lakes in amber glow. Another spot that offers incredible views is the Castle of Giovanni in Kotor. It’s not a long hike to the formidable fortress but it is incredibly exhausting as the hike has 1355 stairs to climb and 70 switchbacks. But hey, the stunning sunset view on the castle is spectacular! I’d say it’s worthwhile.
Montenegro is a hidden gem among European travel destinations, and may not be for everyone. A lot of tours don’t appear to divulge much about the nation’s history or culture, but maybe in time that will change as tourism becomes more popular. It’s definitely a must see for anyone who appreciates the simple beauties of the world, or maybe just to someone looking for inspiration from more than just a picture with some nice words on it.
Clark Weeks and Wife Hope You Enjoy this Blog
From various trips to Montenegro, Clark Weeks has come to see why Montenegro is so special to her. We hope that with this blog we can help show you why they love the country.
