How do mountains influence the weather? How are micro climates formed? Here, I find myself pondering the weather due to its sheer unpredictability.
My first introduction to Montenegro was the gorgeous city of Kotor. A walled city occupied by Venetians, the Ottoman, the Austro-Hungarians, and the Serbs. White cobblestone streets shed light on a rich history. Montenegro is a relatively new country located in the Balkans region of Europe. The country regained its independence in 2006 after a country-wide referendum passed. Otherworldly natural beauty contrasts small towns making for an idyllic travel destination.
The town of Kotor is gaining popularity among backpackers and other budget-minded travelers, but retains a charm unique to the Balkans. The Bay of Kotor otherwise known as ‘Boka Bay’ is a defining characteristic of the town. Surrounded by mountains, Kotor is unlike any city I have seen.
After a view days wandering throughout the city, I headed for one of the city’s top sights, the Fortress of Kotor. Although rumor has it that there are two entrances to the attraction, the most commonly used entrance is adjacent from the Church of St. Mary Collegiate. The address of the Fortress of Kotor is as follows: Tvrฤava Svetog Ivana, Put do Svetog Ivana, ล piljari, Montenegro
After paying the entrance fee of 8 euro (said to be only 3 euro during off-season), the journey begins. I began the ascent among travelers I had met from a nearby hostel. To reach the top, you climb 1350 steps with a church located half-way from the top. At a leisurely pace, the hike up took us about 45 minutes to complete with photo breaks and time to take in the breathtaking views (see below).
” The mountains are calling and I must go”ย
~John Muir
We reached the top of the fortress just before a lightening storm. Making sure not to touch the flag pole, we took cover inside the fort. Historically, the fort was used as a viewing point for city guards who protected the city by overlooking the bay. Today, it was where we huddled together among others to avoid the rain.
The following day I explored greater Montenegro. As a budget backpacker, I seldom have the money for a tour, but Monte 360 offered a reasonably priced full-day tour to locations I would not have otherwise been able to reach. The agency has not asked for any recognition. I just genuinely believe phenomenal locally-owned tour agencies should be credited. For more information, you can visit their website at: https://360monte.me/
The tour began with a morning view of the Bay of Kotor high above the city fort from a viewpoint at the 25th serpentine. After a few photos, the bus continued to a small village in central Montenegro where we stopped for lunch at one of the oldest cafes in the country. From there, we visited Lovcen National Park, the home of some of the country’s largest peaks and the world’s highest mausoleum!
From here, we made our way to one of my favorite stops of the tour. As previously mentioned, Montenegro is home to many natural beauties. However, there is one that stands out to me and that is no other than the ‘Horseshoe Bend’ of Lake Skadar (see above). When I think of Montenegro, I will always think of the contrast between calm waters and rugged mountains.
From there, the tour drew to a close with one final stop to a resort town known for exclusive accommodations known as Sveti Stefan.
Stampchaser Photography 