Montenegro

Montenegro means "black mountain", and the name makes sense the moment you arrive. Sheer grey peaks rise almost straight out of the sea, and the coast is broken up by deep inlets and small fortified towns. It became independent in 2006 and remains one of the smaller and less visited countries on the Adriatic, which is a large part of its appeal.

The highlight for most visitors is the Bay of Kotor. The old town of Kotor, a UNESCO site, sits at the very end of the bay beneath a zigzag of city walls that climb the mountain behind it. The climb to the fortress is steep but the view is worth every step. Nearby Perast is a single street of Baroque palaces facing two tiny island churches. Further south, Budva and the island-village of Sveti Stefan bring beaches into the picture. Inland, Lake Skadar is a haven for birdlife, the old royal capital of Cetinje keeps its monasteries and embassies, and Durmitor National Park has the deep Tara canyon and glacial lakes for summer walking.

Montenegrin cooking mixes Mediterranean seafood with hearty mountain food. On the coast you will find grilled fish, black risotto and mussels from the bay. Inland, expect Njeguški pršut (smoked ham), local cheeses and slow-cooked lamb. The Vranac red wine is the national grape and goes well with all of it.

Montenegro appears on our Balkans Explorer private van tour, which links it with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It is also an easy addition to a Dubrovnik stay, since Kotor is roughly two hours away by road, border crossing included. Travellers who prefer to drive can explore the bay road at their own pace, and we can add a private guide for Kotor's old town or a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks.