Your Guide to Discovering the Pearl of the Mediterranean: Montenegro

Where can you find breathtaking scenic beauty, spectacular beaches with crystal clear blue waters, towering mountains, a medieval city, a wide range of outdoor adventures and more? The small country of Montenegro in the south Adriatic area of the Mediterranean has it all. Here is your guide to discovering this amazing destination.

How to get there

If you'd like to add a little adventure to your Montenegro holiday, the best way to get there is by ferry from Italy. If you have time, you can fly into Italy from the United States and spend several days there before departing to Montenegro.

Italy has an excellent transportation system, and it's easy to reach the ferry terminal in Bari, Italy via train. The ferry will take you direct from Bari to the coastal town of Bar, Montenegro. Current fares are only 147 Euros round trip for an adult.

If you prefer to fly into Montenegro, your best option is to fly into Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is less than 10 miles from the Montenegrin border. British Airways offers direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Durovnik.

Getting around

Once you're in Montenegro, the best way to get around is by renting a car. The country has so much to offer, and you'll want to spend time in both the mountains and coastal areas. If you've flown into Croatia, you'll need to take the bus into Montenegro, which is easily accessible for tourists at the border.

You'll find many car rental agencies across the country from Bar to Budva.

Where to stay

If you prefer more touristy, crowded locations with lots of nightlife, Budva or Bar are the best places to stay. If you're like me, and you prefer a more peaceful and relaxing vacation, Prcanj on Kotor Bay is an idyllic location.

For as little as $400 USD per week, you can rent a beautiful apartment on Kotor Bay. There are a wide variety of apartments available, and the one that we stayed in had not only a spectacular view of the mountains, but the balcony overlooked tranquil Kotor Bay.

Prcanj is a beautiful little fishing village with stunning architecture, yet it is only minutes from the town of Kotor. Here you get the best of both worlds.

What to do

Kotor is a trip back in time to a medieval city. When entering Kotor, walk through the 16th century gate and enter the Main Arms Square. Here you'll find the heart of the old town, with a heritage dating back even before medieval times.

Explore the ancient eighth century watch tower, the Prince's palace or the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. The entire city is surrounded by walls erected on the steep encompassing hills, as well as breathtaking beauty.

The highlight of my Montenegro trip, was a four hour sailboat trip on the deep blue waters of the bay, which I highly recommend. The grand finale is sailing at sunset while sipping champagne while gazing at the all encompassing beauty of the surrounding mountains and magnificent colors of the sky.

Durmitor National Park should be another must on your list of things to do. If you want to make it a day trip, plan on leaving early in the morning as it is a 3-4 hour scenic drive from Kotor. The park includes the spectacular Tara River Gorge, which is the second longest canyon in the world.

Durmitor National Park offers amazing opportunities for hiking, and views from the top of Durmitor mountain are nothing less than awe-inspiring. The park is also home to over 200 caves, perfect for exploring and viewing some of the largest frozen stalagmites.

Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or a just a restful vacation, you'll find Montenegro the true pearl of the Mediterranean.