Montenegro Magic in Kotor on Gundula’s Great Eurasian Roam 🚐✨
I was thrilled to cross into Montenegro, the second unfamiliar country on my Great Eurasian Roam 🇲🇪. A former Yugoslav nation in the Balkans, it is known in the West by its Italian name—a reminder of Venetian rule during the Middle Ages.
In its own language, it is called Crna Gora (Црна Гора), which translates to "Black Mountain" after the dense, dark pine forests cloaking Mount Lovćen 🌲. I was quite surprised to learn that while the country sits firmly in the Balkans, its dramatic mountain ranges are actually part of the Alps 🏔️!
Having heard so much about Montenegro’s breath-taking landscapes, I was immensely curious about its traditional music 🎻. Hoping for better luck than I'd had finding inspiring folk music in Slovenia, I eagerly anticipated what music the Montenegrins had on offer 🎶.
Crossing the border was exciting, as this was my first border outside the EU on this trip 🛂. My first destination was Kotor, an ancient town nestled deep within the Bay of Kotor - and to my great joy I discovered a lovely little ferry ride was required to reach it ⛴️!
Waiting on the other side was an absolute jewel 💎: dramatic mountains rising on one side and the deep, beautiful sea on the other 🌊. As a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Kotor naturally attracts far too many tourists 🚌. However, I was lucky enough to snag a great parking spot right by the water, and exploring the town before the crowds and cruise ships arrived was truly magical ✨.
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