Montenegro is a country with a tragic heritage, which today learns to live and smile in a new way. Here they can offer a unique, magnificent vacation, which will leave a lot of positive impressions for the whole year.
general description
Montenegro is a country with a small territory in a great location, which is located between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea. The administrative center is located today in Podgorica, its “heart” is located in the city of Cetinje, which has a rich history.
As a rule, Montenegro has four strongly marked microclimatic zones that coincide with the landscape features. Summer temperature + 24–26 degrees, minimum on the temperature scale - +10 C.
About 660 thousand people live on such a small area.
The official language is Serbian in the form of the Latin alphabet. It resembles both ethnic and Montenegrin, which is widely used by people in everyday life. Here, with great respect, they relate to others, including Russian and Hungarian. They speak English more in large centers, where the resort area is concentrated.
We should also emphasize the local writing system. Montenegrins often use the Cyrillic alphabet, but you can also see a mixture of Cyrillic and Latin letters - this writing arose even from the time of the invasion, when the territory of Montenegro was under the control of Italy and Austria-Hungary. For historical reasons, religion has become a problem for people who live in the territory of modern Montenegro. Here live as Catholics, who are most of all, and Muslims.
In Montenegro, the euro is used, since the country is part of the eurozone. You can easily exchange money for cash at a state bank.National works on weekdays from 10:30 to 14:00, commercial - on Thursdays from 8:00 to 15:00, and also on Fridays (from 8:00 to 13:00). Officially recognized exchange offices operate on the territory, some of them work even on weekends, and some work directly in hotels.
However, on the territory of Montenegro it will be difficult to pay by credit cards and traveler's checks, since they are accepted only in the capital and in resort areas.
Weather
May is not the warmest month in Montenegro, because the temperature is similar to the early spring in the south of Russia. In Budva this month is often overcast this morning, although it rains infrequently. The sun appears closer to dinner, the maximum positive air temperature is +22 C. At night, it drops to around +7 C, which is why it is worth taking warm clothes with you. In Jute, Tivat is even cooler and may even require a jacket.
It is still too early to swim in the sea, although some in the water + 16 degrees feel great, so you can often meet vacationers on the beach. There will not be much time for tanning: the sun is not very active and does not appear so often due to clouds.
By the end of May, the weather begins to favor beach holidays, the air temperature gradually rises, if you go here, it is better during this period.
Souvenirs
When traveling, you always want to take a piece of your favorite place with you. People bring beautiful wine from Montenegro, it can be dry or demi-season Vranac and white Krstac. There is a well-established production of fruit vodka in the country, as in all Mediterranean regions. You can also buy grape vodka “Krunak” or “Vine”.
The main souvenir of Montenegro is considered to be a cap - a round hat with a blood-red top. This item is very symbolic: its black edging is the grief of the lost majesty, and the blood-red color is blood shed by the inhabitants of these places for a long and not always happy history, and five golden hairs indicate five hundred years of yoke and oppression.
Also on the hat you can see the cross and the old Serbian coat of arms or a crowned double-headed eagle, on the chest of which there is a shield with a lion. This is the emblem of modern Montenegro.
Considering the fact that Montenegro is an Orthodox country with a high level of religiosity, on its territory there are many monasteries and shrines, therefore, you can easily find a charm in the form of an icon, a cross or a chain as a souvenir.
Given that Montenegro is close to Italy, quality clothing of Italian designers is brought here. Local prices are much lower than in Italy, that is, if you want, you can buy things of excellent quality at an affordable cost.
Cookery
In the country, amazing and light cuisine. They are used to using exclusively environmentally friendly products, so the food is so delicious. You should definitely try not only local wines, but also Negush prshut - meat delicacy, dried ham, which is prepared according to different recipes.
If you want to try several of the best meat dishes at once, then you should definitely order a mixed meso at the restaurant - a dish that presents an assortment of grilled sausages, cutlets and other products.
Food in Montenegro is relatively cheap. For example, food without seafood will cost an average of 8-15 euros, and with seafood - about 20-25 euros. The most popular dishes are prepared at any time of the year, already in May, restaurants are actively taking guests.
Transport
Usually people arrive in Montenegro by air. There are 2 international airports in the territory of Tivat or Podgorica. The country also has its own national airline Montenegro Airlines, but their flights more often fly to neighboring countries.
The railway line stretches from north to south of the country and leads to Serbian Belgrade.Its indisputable advantage is the breathtaking view outside the window, namely: Skadar Lake, the Zeta, Tara, Moracha river basins, which merge between the Sinyavin and Belasitsa mountain groups. You can evaluate their benefits in May, as nature already pleases with its colorfulness.
In addition, there are commuter or shuttle trains, but they do not have an extensive network, so buses are more popular here. On the Adriatic coast, especially between resort towns, more motor transport runs in private hands. Bus tickets are bought directly from the driver.
You can always take a taxi or rent a car. This is probably the best option to see the wonderful and picturesque Montenegro in May. A potential driver must be at least 21 years old, driving experience - at least three years.
The price often does not include an additional tax of 17%, also do not forget about the insurance premium - it ranges from 5 to 9 euros per day.
sights
The main feature of Montenegro is cozy old cities with winding narrow streets where polite and friendly citizens are always happy to meet in small shops. Greek, Byzantine, Turkish and Roman cultures, embodied in the graceful architecture of Ancient Budva and other cities, are closely intertwined in this place.
Many tourists are fond of the island of St. Stephen - it is the most famous resort of the Budva Riviera, named after the patron saint of Montenegrins. Here is a picturesque fortress, which over time was turned into a hotel. A small rocky island with pink beaches attracts celebrities from all over the world, because here you can enjoy peace and quiet. Princess Margaret, Sophia Loren, Claudia Schiffer and many others liked to walk along its stone paths.
St. Stephen is connected to the coast by a thin isthmus, in the southern part of which lies the spa town of Petrovac. The beautiful bay where it is located, olive gardens and pine forests made it an ideal place for those who came to the country in May. Attractive nature, soft sandy beaches of Petrovac and Lucice, an old Venetian castle and numerous churches, among which cozy cafes are hidden - all this creates a unique romantic atmosphere.
History buffs are advised to visit Cetinje in May.. The city is located at the foot of Lovcen Mountain. Montenegrins themselves consider it a symbol of honor, courage and love for their country. Once Cetinje was also a Montenegrin church and a stronghold of resistance to the Turkish yoke. Today it is a museum town where there is a well-preserved collection of weapons.
The relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, part of the Holy Cross and the sword-hand of John the Baptist are stored in the Cetinje monastery.
Hidden in the clouds, an ostrog hovering in the mountains is the sanctuary of Montenegro. The monastery was built in the XVII century. Even today, Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims come from all over the world to find here healing for their soul and body. Ostrog is located 40 kilometers from Podgorica surrounded by harsh mountain peaks, against which its white stone halls seem to literally soar in the air.
Another natural wonder is the UNESCO reserve Durtomir. In May, there are mountain peaks, glacial lakes, magnificent canyons, marked routes for tourists. Travelers can also enjoy a visit to the resort of Ada Boyana. In addition to being the center of nudism, it is also a special ecoclimatic zone, which arose due to the stormy subtropical plant life, the diversity of wildlife and the confluence of the fresh water of Boyana with the salt of the Adriatic Sea.
A beautiful unique place in Montenegro to visit is the city of Kotor. Behind its walls there is a rich market with many locally produced products: fish, dates, mushrooms, olives and much more.
A huge number of carnivals and festivals that take place every year give this place a kind of charm.
It is hard to imagine a trip to Montenegro in May without visiting Budva. The ancient city walls survived more than one storm. In the New Town of Budva, vacation homes and expensive restaurants are located where you can enjoy excellent seafood. There is also the legendary Slavic beach.
On the pros and cons of vacation in Montenegro, see the video below.
