Montenegro Blog

Montenegrin companies will take part in the food, drinks and catering equipment fair, Histria 2008, held in Pula, Croatia, on Wednesday and Thursday. As a part of supporting tourist companies, food and drinks producers and catering equipment manufacturers, the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce carried out the preparations and helped their members join the program.

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Colliers International office in Belgrade has reported sharp increases in the cost of properties in the Montenegrin coastal districts. In the list of resorts with prices in the 2500 to 5000 Euro range are Bar, Hercog Novi, Tivat and Ulcinj, while the report implies that prices in Budva, Petrovac and Sveti Stefan are higher still.

A key consideration has to be the stability of this part of South Eastern Europe. Montenegro shares frontiers with Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia Hercegovina and this latest phase of the country’s independent existence dates back only 12 months. To put this in some sort of context; how many of the investors in properties in Tallinn or Riga would have been prepared to commit themselves as far back as 1992? Montenegro’s economy suffered from being tied to Serbia’s in the 1990s – an important factor in the move to independence – and the country has a low GDP (at $2.27bn considerably less than the last year’s profits for Tesco) and high levels of poverty. For foreign investors the factors in its favour are natural beauty, closeness to Western Europe and the use of the Euro.

Podgorica Airport has services to and from Paris, Rome, Vienna, Budapest, Frankfurt, Belgrade, Moscow and Zurich. There are also numerous charter flights from Western Europe. Closer to the coast is Tivat Airport with a somewhat shorter list of destinations. Just across the frontier in Croatia is Cilipi, the airport for Dubrovnik, probably the best bet for travellers from the UK. There are year round ferry links from Bar to Bari and Ancona on Italy’s Adriatic coast and summer season only connections to Kotor.

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Right in the middle of the Bay of Kotor, and halfway between the towns of Kotor and Herceg Novi, is the village of Morinj, a small picturesque seaside hamlet known for its lush green mountainous slopes, crystal clear springs and creeks, old watermills and rich cultural history.

Just 5km from the region’s ancient capital, Risan, Morinj possesses one of the greenest and most diverse ecologies in this part of the Dinaric Alps.

Its natural pebble beach, lush forests, and network of interconnected springs, known as Little Venice (Mala Venecija), is perfectly suited for families who wish to spend their holiday truly immersed in the local culture, history and untouched nature. One of the Bay’s best known seafood restaurants, the Catovic Mills (Catovica Mlini) sits on the shores of Morinj’s Little Venice. This family-owned restaurant features exceptional local seafood specialities, in addition to other Mediterranean favorites that make it a unique dining experience.

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THE British writer Rebecca West once called Budva, the largest and northernmost city on the Montenegrin Riviera, “a little white tortoise against the blue sea.” Not much has changed over the course of two wars, a Communist regime and almost 70 years since she wrote that: Budva is still a white-walled jewel jutting into the glass-clear Adriatic Sea, a dramatic entry point to the miles of beaches that stretch south toward the Albanian border. Along its lee side lies a small harbor stocked with fishing and pleasure boats; along its seaside runs an imposing Venetian fortress.

With its narrow stone streets and expansive sea views, Budva reminds many visitors of Dubrovnik, its tourist-choked Croatian neighbor 60 miles north. And Montenegro, having seen what a little tourism can do for an ex-Communist economy, is eager to cash in on the similarities. Though not yet a member of the European Union, it has already adopted the euro as its official currency, the better to draw wealthy Western Europeans. Hotel staff members wear neatly pressed uniforms and speak perfect English. And everywhere roads are being widened, wineries are sprouting and luxury resorts are opening for business — at a steep discount from even Croatia’s tourist fare, let alone France’s or Italy’s.

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In 3 weeks time I’ve naturally not been able to see everything there is to see in this fascinating country, so keep in mind there’s much more than the places mentioned below. Other places you could visit include Subotica, the Fruska Gora National Park and Deliblatska Pescara in Vojvodina; the archaeological site of Vinca near Belgrade; many monasteries (including the UNESCO-protected Studenica and Sopocani); and the mountains (Kopaonik, Zlatibor).

Novi Sad
Novi Sad’s old town is very pleasant to walk around. There’s a plethora of churches, many outdoor pubs and lots of archways. The main sight outside the old town is the Petrovaradin citadel across the Danube, which offers a splendid view over Novi Sad and Petrovaradin, the Danube, the surrounding hills and, sadly, a bombed bridge. Also nice is Dunav Park.

The Vojvodina Museum I offers a great overview of life in the area, from prehistoric times to the 19th century. Next door the less complete Vojvodina Museum II illustrates the First and Second World Wars.

There is a tourist information desk at the train/bus station, which can help with finding accommodation.

We got a double room with shared bathroom for DM30 (EUR�15) at Bela Ladja, Kisacka 21 (tel. 021/616-594), in-between the station and the old town, and across the street from the house Albert Einstein used to live in (look for the inscription).

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The Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska, also known as the Gulf of Kotor) is one of the most distinctive landscapes anywhere on the Mediterranean. It would be worth visiting just to enjoy the spectacle of the sheer mountains plunging into the Adriatic. Combine this natural drama with mansions, churches, fortifications, and flower gardens and you have one of the most enjoyable destinations in the Balkans.

Kotor

The city of Kotor lies at the innermost point of the bay, just below Mount Lovćen. It’s strong identity as a seafaring city seems to persist regardless of varying political affiliations - it has changed rulers fourteen times. It seems to assert the value of urban civilisation in the face of the forbidding landscape that surrounds it, with the help of an imposing set of walls. In these respects it has much in common with Dubrovnik, the larger walled city a short distance to the north. But it is much more than just a poor man’s Dubrovnik. Within the walls it has retained a much more mediaeval feel. A map of the old city shows hardly a single right angle; the town consists of a maze of tiny alleys that meet unexpectedly to form “squares” that are anything but square. Overshadowed by both towering cliffs and the high walls of four-storey stone houses, some of these narrow lanes must never see sunshine. One of the great pleasures of Kotor is wandering at random through this little labyrinth.

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It is said that the fairies used to live in the hill above Bar, they used to help people and when they left the area they threw fairy coins all over the place. The legend says that the coins are supposed to bring good luck. Visit this enchanted place, feel the magic of the fairies and perhaps a vacation in Bar will even bring you good fortune.

Things to see in Bar

As you walk around the city of Bar you will see a unique blend of different religions and cultures embodied in numerous churches, monasteries and mosques. However there are certain places you simply have to visit during your stay in Bar:

The Old Bar
The Old Bar is a living monument of the past situated 4 km from the new Bar. It is a fortified city up on the hill with an amazing view. Pay special attention to the enterance gate with the tower, the Turkish bath and the aqueduct. Have a coffee in one of the cafes in the main street of the Old Bar. The market place of the Old Bar is especially appealing for tourists because local people dress in folk costumes and offer goods to people passing by.

The Old olive tree
Another tourist site of Bar is an olive tree in Mitrovica, as the tree is more than 2000 years old. According to the legend the tree was significant even in the past as quarrels between families were settled beside the tree.
In general there are a lot of olive trees in Bar probably due to the legend that no resident of Bar could get married unless he or she planted at least ten olive trees.

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WINE HISTORY

The Srem region is one of the oldest viticultural areas in Europe. The grapevine has sprouted on Mt. FruÅ¡ka Gora’s fertile hills for over 1,700 years, ever since it was first planted by Roman Emperor Probus of the ancient Sirmium. With the arrival of Ottoman Turks, Srem’s viticulture was almost annihilated. However, it was gradually rehabilitated, reaching full bloom during the Austro-Hungarian rule.

The grapevine remained the pillar of life of many Karlovci generations, while Sremski Karlovci wine sparkled throughout Europe, always noble and refined, side by side with the best. Karlovci was considered to be the seat of Serbian wines for several centuries. The FruÅ¡ka Gora wines were exported to the Czech Lands and Poland back in the 15th century. Zaharije Orfelin, a writer and member of the Academy of Sciences in Vienna, printed Iskusni Podrumar (Experienced Cellar-Keeper) in 1783 in Vienna. Prokopije Bolić, the archimandrite of Mt. FruÅ¡ka Gora’s Rakovac monastery, printed the first viticulture manual, SoverÅ¡en Vinodelac (The Perfect Vintner), in Buda in 1816. The two books are the oldest Serbian-language viticultural and winemaking treatises known in Vojvodina.

Bermet, the region’s authentic wine, was exported to the United States 150 years ago. According to some documents, it was even included in The Titanic’s wine card. Bermet is an exceptional liqueur wine, much like the Italian Vermouth, but produced in a different way - through maceration of 20 different herbs and spices.

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Count down to 2010: Developing a Network of Eco Villages in Bosnia and Hezegovina, Montenegro and Serbia

D.Perunicic – “Empty homes, grass overgrown plots of land and ‘for sale’ sings are a part of the scenery that can usually be seen in Montenegrin villages in the last 15 years. Decades long lack of investment in agriculture and redemption of agricultural products created a common picture of life in the countryside: it is a difficult life with lots of hardship and work.

The project “Countdown to 2010: Ceveloping a Network of Eco Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia” is one of the first more concrete steps towards the change in the gloomy scenery of the countryside. The project is implemented by several NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia with the assistance and guidance of The World Conservation (IUCN). The president of Most NGO, Siniša Stevović stated for “Vijesti”: “The aim of the project is to create such living conditions in the countryside so that living there becomes a synonym for health, richness and happiness as well as a privilege.”

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Tourism is by far the fastest growing sector in Montenegro and one of the priority sectors for stimulating economic growth in the municipality of Cetinje. In keeping with the thrust of the Ministry of Tourism to diversify the tourism product, Cetinje municipality took the leap by linking tourism and sport. Recognition of the value of sport tourism to the tourism industry brought together various stakeholders over a common goal to invest in Cetinje sports facilities that can be enjoyed by the local population, as well as visitors who come to use them. Sports tourism was seen as a powerful tool for the economic development of an entire region by generating a positive image of the region for residents and visitors alike.

Despite excellent sports tourism potential, Cetinje still faces the challenge of becoming a destination of choice for sports people, spectators, participants, professionals, people wanting to develop their skills and talents and, of course, holidaymakers. Located conveniently close to the coast and just bordering LovcenNational Park, the former royal capital also boasts palaces, monasteries and other attractions, yet the sporting facilities remained underdeveloped and inaccessible to visitors.

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