Montenegro: A place on the Adriatic
Head to Montenegro before the tourist pack gets there.
You can be forgiven if you are not able to find Montenegro on a map of the world. It is after all one of the youngest countries in the world, located on the Adriatic coast. Earlier a part of Yugoslavia, it is only in 2006 that it managed to separate itself from the title of Serbia and Montenegro through a referendum. This has led to the country finally coming out of the shadow of its fellow Balkan states. When compared to other European countries, it is perhaps the least known among tourists but that is about to change, as the fledgling government is trying to promote it as a tourist destination — not without reason. Here is what you can expect in Montenegro.
Budva Coast – This the first place you can head to when you land at the capital Podgorica. Just 65 km away, it is a beach resort that is known for its vibrant nightlife. There is plenty of sun and sand to soak in with the azure waters of the Adriatic.
Ostrog – The monastery of Ostrog is located above the valley of Bjelopavlici. It is carved in rocks and was built in the 17th century by Metropolitan Vasilije. There are two churches in the campus, the upper one dedicated to the Holy Cross and the lower to Holy Mary.
Boka Kotorska – The bay is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It consists of four connected straits. High cliffs surround it from all sides and reflect in the water. There are seven islands to visit here and Kotor, a city of world cultural heritage.
Lovcen – The mountains of Lovcen rise above the coast and make the backdrop of the city of Kotor. It is a national park and at the peak are Stirovnik and Jezerski Vrh which is the mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, poet and philosopher from Montenegro.
Ada Bojana – Ada Bojana is a river island created artificially on the wreck of a ship. It is rectangular in shape. From one side it is swept by the Adriatic Sea and the other by the river Bojana. On the river side there are many restaurants serving local cuisine.
Skadarsko Jezero – The lake is the largest in the Balkans. It is home to the rare curly pelican. The shore of the lake is picturesque and abounds in peninsulas and bays resembling a swamp. On the small islands dotting it grow wild pomegranate and ivy in abundance.
http://iwitnessdestinations.com/montenegro/video/SkadarLakeLR.flvTara – The canyon is said to be the second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon. You have waterfalls and rapids here in equal measure. On the banks are forests of black pine trees, which are 400 years old.
Anand Sankar / New Delhi
April 26, 2009, 0:25 IST
