A forested view of Sveti Stefan
Climbing from Kotor up to St. John's fortress
Steve at the top of the world walkway in Lovcen national park
Aya flying high over Kotor bay
Sveti StefanHanging out at the beach at UlcinjA load to rival any Asian one near the beach in BarAt Besac castle overlooking Skadar LakesAt Besac castle near VirpazarWalking the streets of Cetinje old capital of MontenegroAt the top of the world in Lovcen national parkThe highest peak in Lovcen national parkEntering the crazy mausoleum in Lovcen national parkThe steps up the mausoleum in Lovcen national parkSteve + Arwen in front of Sveti StefanView over Kotor baySt. John's fortress above KotorAya flying high above Kotor BayClimbing past the old church on the way to St. John's Fortress above KotorHanging out at Ulcinj beachAmie climbing up to St. John's fortress above KotorClimbing up to St. John's Fortress above KotorWalking the streets of ancient KotorThe church in the old walled city in KotorCommunist remnant above Ulcinj beachSteve summiting St. John's fortress in KotorStopping for a water break in KotorHiking to St. John's fortress in KotorClimbing past the old church on the way to St. John's Fortress above KotorAya jumping to daddy above KotorArwen learning to walk at Besac castleSteve overlooking Skadar LakesAya + Arwen having fun at Besac castleSkadar Lakes national park

Montenegrins have a lot of mountains to deal with and have tunneled their roads under many of them in order to more easily access the coast. We rented a car and drove through hundreds of tunnels – some several kilometers long. It is not surprising that the coast south of Dubrovnik continues to be spectacular, filled with ancient ports, walled cities, and hidden beaches. Kotor bay is especially stunning as is the view atop an ancient fortress close to the old city.

All is less than spectacular for the locals, who generally live on meager salaries and still hold a lot of resentment from the war. Like their Serbian brothers, they have strong feelings towards the loss of Kosovo. Times have never been as good as the days of Yugoslavia and Marshall Tito.

Lovcen national park was a clear favourite – a mausoleum built on a high peak with views across the entire country.

-steve-

I feel like I’ve overused the word ‘spectacular’ as we write about the Balkans, but it’s hard to find the right words to convey just how gorgeous these countries are. Montenegro did not disappoint. It was strikingly beautiful with dramatic, craggy mountains plunging into brooding waters.

“”Oh look, there’s another castle!”” we found ourselves saying around nearly every hairpin turn. For such a small country, it packs a big punch with historical sights as well.

I found myself deeply marveling how Montenegro has managed to overcome incredible civil engineering obstacles, building roads, tunnels, houses and bridges in the most complicated of settings.

-Amie

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