Montenegro--a must see

Churches on Islands in the Channel
Headed to Kotor, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

 I never really considered Montenegro to be a place to visit, but after a day in Kotor and the surrounding area I see that this is a jewel hidden in an Adriatic fjord. 

Cruising to Kotor is a magnificent experience with mountains on both sides of the ship and one area where the water is only 900 meters wide with a big cruise ship sailing through it. It is easily over an hour cruising once the ship departed the Adriatic Sea. It is the kind of experience I had hoped to see last year on our Alaskan cruise, but was thwarted by the weather. It was fun and a lot warmer today than last year in Alaska. 

Main Square Clock Tower
Herceg Novi, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

Chris and I chose to spend the day touring the coastal area and heading to the village of Herceg Novi. The village has three forts and an old town area which is very exciting.

The ship anchored in the channel and it was about a 20 minute tender to the port of Kotor where our day began. We then boarded a but for the one hour ride to Herceg Novi and our tour. Along the way we enjoyed the sights of the mountains and the sea as they came together. We heard stories of a secret Yugoslav submarine base built into the mountain and saw what was reported to be the entrance. Of course everything has since been abandoned. 

Fort in Kotor
Kotor, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

The coastal area is beautiful. It is a must see and we definitely need more time to explore this hidden gem. Water sports are evident everywhere as are the mussel and oyster farms. 

It was Independence Day in Montenegro and most of the shops were closed. Fortunately we were able to enjoy an authentic lunch and some local wine during our free time. 

Celebrity Constellation
Kotor, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

Historically, the area has been conquered on about seven different occasions during history. They finally wrestled their independence a few years ago and are one of the smallest countries in Europe and possibly the only one which used the Euro as the official currency but which is not a member of the EU. Fortunately, my European cell plan worked!

Motoring back to the ship on the tender, I was able to get a good shot of the Constellation against the mountains. We were lucky to be able to sit on the upper decl of the tender.

Another great day, but tomorrow is our last port day of the cruise and then on Friday, after a Thursday sea day, we off the ship and into Venice for a few days before heading home. One week from today our European adventure will be complete as we fly out of Rome and back to Miami and home. 

-- Bob Doan, on board Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea headed for Split, Croatia