If you love to travel and visit countries then I employ you to visit the  country of Montenegro located in Europe. Take a minute to discover the amazing city of Kotor found in the  beautiful, historical country of Montenegro in Europe.

Montenegro is a sovereign state in Southeastern Europe. Tucked way  between counties, it has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo[a] to the east, and Albania to the south-east. The name “Crna Gora” (Montenegro) is mentioned for the first time in the Charter of King Milutin, in 1276. It is believed that it got its name after the dense forests that covered Mount Lovcen and the surrounding area. The forests were so dark that the viewers got the impression of a “black” mountain.

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Montenegro played an important part in the history of Europe becoming as it was a part of various empires become gaining its independence 21 May, 2006 . In brief summary , the Illyrians were the first known people to inhabit the region, arriving during the late Iron Age. By 1000 BC, a common Illyrian language and culture had spread across much of the Balkans. Interaction amongst groups was not always friendly – hill forts were the most common form of settlement – but distinctive Illyrian art forms such as amber and bronze jewellery evolved. In time, the Illyrians established a loose federation of tribes centered in what is now Macedonia and northern Albania. Maritime Greeks created coastal colonies on the sites of some Illyrian settlements around 400 BC. It has the tracks of Illyrian, and Roman culture, as well as pre Roman, Roman, Gothic, renascence, and baroque culture. Old town (Kotor) is counted into the Mediterranean towns with best preserved medieval urban settlement from the XII to XIV century, and is included in the list of the world cultural inheritance under the protection of UNESCO.

 

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Kotor is surely the most famous Montenegrin town when we are talking about culture and cultural landmarks. At the end of XIX century, Kotor, that is bay of Boka Kotorska or the southern fiord, as that bay is lately called, because of its unsurpassable beauty, got the epithet of the Bride of Adriatic. Its amazing beauty comes from the blue sea, stony shore, the slopes of the most famous Montenegrin Mountain Lovcen, greenery, which with the rocks above the bulwarks of the Old Kotor creates unusual natural colors. Its beauty is also created by the serpentines toward the fortress San Djovani (St. Giovanni) or Sveti Ivan (St. Ivan), medieval palaces, old town, and unavoidable, always cheerful spirit of inhabitants, whatever nation or religion they are.

People get the impression that visiting Montenegro will not be interesting but we have got news for you, if Kotor (Montenegro) on the very FIRST place for 2016 (Best in Travel City 2016), there is no need to think too long. There is no denying its touristic appeal as no1 Best in Travel City for 2016, for many years attracts large numbers of tourists from all over the world. This fascinating old town, located in a unique bay of Boka, will certainly leave you breathless..

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Geography

The bay is composed of several smaller broad bays, united by narrower channels. The bay inlet was formerly a river system. Tectonic and karstification processes led to the disintegration of this river.

Today Kotor is the biggest old urban settlement in Montenegro. The oldest archeologically noted edifice that originates from the VI century A.D. is the early Christian basilica found under the church of St. Marija Koledjate.  Boka has about 100 Catholic churches and chapels and about 200 Orthodox churches and chapels, as well as some Orthodox monasteries.   The Cathedral of St. Trifun in Kotor is Boka’s oldest cathedral, built in 1166. The churches of St. George and Lady of Škrpjel (near Perast) were built on two of the bay’s islets in the first half of the 17th century. The medieval town Kotor is situated on the very end of the Bay of Boka Kotorska.

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Cuisine

When we visit a new country and come across the people and their culture it’s only natural to find out what the national cuisine is like and what surprises await us. Be ready to surrender your senses to exquisite food and drinks. The hospitality of Montenegrin hosts open the door for you, offering you the best seat at the table and with the best ingredients invite you to taste its culinary delicacies.

Some examples of such meals are;

Cicvara – with this meal usually white cooked potato and sour milk are being served. Young cow’s cheese or “kajmak” are mixed with flour while the grease is released. It is a meal of high energetic value, of pleasant taste – it literally melts in your mouth.

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“Popara” – with mixing of bread with milk, oil and cheese you get an interesting and cheap meal which is deeply seated in the Montenegrin cuisine.

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Cooked potato – is an easy and favorite meal which is accompanied with the cheese, and sour cabbage. It is simply prepared – with a half an hour of cooking of potato.

Thick soups – thick soups in Montenegro are usually prepared with noodles, potato or vegetables. Especially interesting thick soap is the one made of nettle, and almost every thick soup included the cooked fresh meat, so they are extremely nourishing and rich.

 

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Drinks

 Wine -The south of Montenegro is characteristic by two kinds of grapevine: Vranac and Krstac. Today these are by far known brands which carry the wine from the area of Zeta valley and the area of Crmnica.

 

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Vranac, black wine – as the red wine is called in the majority of Slov languages, is characteristic for the area of Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, and Montenegro. It is made of extremely coarse and dark grape which is picked from the middle of September to the end of October. Most often they keep it during the year in large barrels made from walnut tree in which the aroma and the taste are preserved in best way, sometimes even for several decades. This notable wines have found their way all over the globe. Its why on Royal Caribbean we pride ourselves in giving the best the country has to offer.

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Brandy – Scotland has whiskey, Greece has metaksa, and Montenegro has rakija (BRANDY). Montenegrin vineyards, especially the ones in Zeta valley and Crmnica area are characteristic by the exquisite grapes and even better masters for preparation of this strong alcoholic drink. The brandy is therefore made from the grapes in special boilers where with the fermentation almost during the whole day, a drop by drop, you get a drink similar to Russian vodka, but stronger and with more aromatic.  The brandy is served as an aperitif and it goes well with “meze”, the famous salty snack. With brandy sometimes slices of some fruit are being served. There almost doesn’t exist a welcoming and a feast in Montenegro which goes without a brandy and a toast which accompanies it. The technique of production of this beverage is known to almost all households in Montenegro, and for every head of the house his brandy is his pride, and something that you must praise no matter the personal taste

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Choice Restaurants in Kotor.

Dojmi is a casual cafe restaurant in front of Kotor old town. They have a small inside area and a large outdoor terrace which is perfect for a coffee or a light meal while enjoying the view.From here you have a view over Kotor marina, the bay and the  mountains which surround you on all sides. What more could you ask for .

Konoba Cesarica is Kotor’s best-kept secret. It’s a family run ‘konoba’, a Montenegrin tavern. The owner is a local fisherman who brings his catch every day so the menu changes daily.  The restaurant is tucked down an alley in the old town and the cool, stone interior adds to the feeling of a ‘refuge’ from the busy tourist town. Walk in, grab a cold beer and relax

 

Bastion I And IIl:   These restaurants are great places to get great local delicacies at budget friendly prices . 

The plain look of the place keeps lots of tourists away , but you”ll notice these are firm favorites with locals and they’ve been Kotor staples for many years with reasons. You”ll find tasty local-style seasfood and meat dishes at touristy prices. This is a great place to eat if you want to really want to eat local in Kotor.
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Tanjga: Balkan grill is something you must try during your stay in Montenegro. Tanjga specialises in marinated meat that’s barbecued to tender perfection. The portions are huge and you can get delicious cabbage salads, ‘sopska’ salads and mouth-watering roast potatoes on the side.

My recommendation: try the plejskavica or cevapi! Bon Apetite!!!!

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So ……go on and  live a little!  When next you  board a Mediterranean Cruise make sure its one that goes through Kotor , Montenegro allowing you to experience it’s a dramatic and delightful  ambiance  where the past coexists with the present; its cobblestones ring with the sound of children racing to school in centuries-old buildings, its narrow paths and walk ways that is a constant reminder of its history, its pristine beaches and so much more. Come nightfall, Kotor’s spectacularly lit-up walls glow as serenely as a halo; behind the bulwarks, the streets buzz with bars, live music – from soul to serenades – and castle-top clubbing. This is one country that demands to  explored and appreciated.

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