Montenegro

We were able to stay in Kotor, Montenegro for 5 nights.

How we reached Kotor: Bus from Dubrovnik Croatia - approximately 3.5 hours (which included the border stop & a rest break - otherwise, drive time would be just over 2 hours).

Location of our accommodations in Kotor: steps away from the marina (balcony view of the bay and stunning mountain). This turned out nicely as we were able to walk along the promenade where there are a few restaurants to eat by the water or walk into the Old Town area.

Day trip from Kotor: we took a bus from the main bus station in Kotor to Budva. The trip took about 1 hour (because it stops in Tivat first and because there currently is road construction = traffic). In Budva, we walked to their Old Town and then to Mogren Beach. There are other beaches in Budva, but Mogren is right next to Old Town and was actually very pretty & swimmable. Budva is a charming little town, by the way!

Bus tips:

• You will buy your tickets to get to Budva at the Kotor bus station - cash only - and be prepared to have small bills in case they can't break your larger bills

• When you arrive in Budva, purchase your return tickets if you know what time you wish to return. Again, cash only

• When you return to the station in Budva to return to Kotor, there are just a handful of platforms and you just have to check out each bus that pulls in to find out if it's yours. They generally use a specific lane, but it's not set in stone. Our bus was very late - I believe because of the road construction I mentioned

Dining experiences worth mentioning in Kotor:

• BBQ Tangja - we ate here twice. Go here if you like meat and hearty portions. The staff work hard & hustle right before your eyes, but they act like they're having a good time! VERY casual, no reservations. Not a ton of tables but somehow it works out

• Spaghetti & Wine Bar - small, cozy little place in Old Town Kotor. Freshly made pasta (you will see them prepare it). I imagine you'd need to make a reservation if visiting Kotor during high-season

We didn't do too much in Kotor (partly due to feeling a little lazy but also because of a weather system that came through). I would definitely love to visit Montenegro again (both Kotor and Budva) - there are tons of boating options, hiking, cable car views and more. The views are breath-taking!!