Perast, Montenegro

Montenegro, is not a place we had ever heard of before, but as part of our recent European Tour, it was on the travel itinerary, and so, we cautiously agreed to it.

We arrived in Kotor, a small coastal city surrounding a huge medieval fort, which hides the heart of the city, Old Town. As you proceed through the tiny stony archway through the fort, you are squished between the masses of eager tourists, to be met with surprising view on the other side; a beautiful open courtyard, speckled with shops and stalls, reminiscent of the town squares pictured in many childhood fairytales.

Baked goods and gelato, hand carved souvenirs, and country flags abound, as the beautiful arched doorways and cobblestone alleyways invite you into every corner. One can easily lose hours, simply walking the tight streets, admiring the monuments and old architecture, and exploring the culture and history of Old Kotor. But there is much more to see.

We joined a speedboat tour, which sped along the Bay of Kotor for amazing views of the water, encapsulated in Mountains. The orange tops of the grey-stone homes along the wharf added a colorful complement to the blue sea and green mountainsides.

It was a short but enjoyable ride to the town of Perast, where we visited Our Lady of the Rocks, a church meant to welcome sailors home. The island itself was man made over hundreds of years, exclusively of local rocks. The church was beautifully ornate, and brimming with pride, as locals happily shared the lore of sailors who believe to have seen the Virgin Mary on the site. From here, you can witness a gorgeous panoramic view of the bay and mountains, as small boats bring others to the island to tour the church.

Next, we shopped in Perast. Perast, much like Old Town, had a charming medieval feel. The old cobblestone roads had very few cars, and most of the people there were restaurateurs preparing for the lunch rush, or shop owners welcoming new customers. The people here seemed genuinely happy just for a chance to talk about their products or services. We were even invited for a free cheese and wine tasting, where we tried local goat cheese and pomegranate wine. We bought both.

While Kotor is lesser known, (due to Montenegro’s relatively recent independence) it’s natural beauty and seclusion make it a worthwhile visit. There were very few non-white people in the places we visited, but we never felt out of place, or even looked at differently, as everyone from the dock to the diners was pleasant, and welcoming.