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big beach
part of terrace
"unknown marine animal"
Budva - Old TownOverlooked Jewel of the Mediterranean
I have made two visits here and both times I have been overwhelmed by Montenegro's beauty. On my first visit in 1986, I was certain that Montenegro would be discovered shortly by the rest of the world and would become a booming tourist destination.
That hasn't happened. In fact, tourism has taken a serious decline since our 1986 trip. The number of overnight stays in Montenegro has declined by 60% over the past 20 years. The foreign markets have all but broken away. The principal demand comes from people living in Serbia and Montenegro, primarily during 6 weeks in midsummer. Montenegro is struggling to build its tourism industry, but it has a long way to go due to lack of financial resources, international class accommodations and adequate water supply. Nonetheless, it was the absence of a booming tourism industry that was so appealing to me on my return in 2004.
Prices of hotel rooms, gas, food, gifts, and consumer goods are extremely low. Montenegro is a huge bargain. Most places are not crowded. You don't have to peel back layers of tourist shellac to experience the real country. The true nature of the country and culture is staring you in the face. When you travel to Montenegro, you are instantly part of the real Montenegro.
We ran into no other Americans during our entire stay in Montenegro, which is a plus to me. When I travel abroad, I don't want to feel like I have merely reached an extension of the US. Montenegro is....well...Montenegro and there is no other part of the world quite like it.
