TRAVEL w w w . m e a nder b u g . c o m

5 Culture Travel INSIGHTS Pg 03

Montenegro 3 100 Worlds Pg 06 46 pages Year-Round of photos & ADVENTURE need-to-know Pg 24 before you go!

Organic Farm Stay

Pg 33

------* #WildBeauty & #CrazyGo odTravel Before 100+ pics You go

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Mount Lovcen PAGE 1 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

GUVNO: 1 OF 5 KEY CULTURE INSIGHTS FIVE CULTURAL INSIGHTS – 5 cultural 03 clues to help you understand Montenegro and the locals

3 REGIONS, 100 WORLDS – in short, Montenegro divides into three distinct 06 regions, but in reality it is a diverse place

YEAR-ROUND ADVENTURE – some visual 24 inspiration about four seasons of fun in 03 action in this tiny adventure paradise

KOTOR: 1/100 WORLDS KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ORGANIC FARM STAY – a glimpse into 33 the story of Montenegro’s past and possibly her future as well

BEFORE YOU GO – key things to know, 06 42 42 transportation, and communications Contents VILLAGE FARM LIFE ADVENTURE 365

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THE GUVNO Dzada Film Fest TODAY An annual summer film fest in Podgorica A key part of highlights the samo polako approach to life. the history of photo: Aleksandar Jaredic Montenegro, the guvno continues to be a meaningful symbol nationally, in villages, and for extended 5 Cultural families.

Insights No. 3 Guvno No. 1 Samo Polako In most places a guvno would simply be a threshing floor, but in Montenegro it is something else. It takes on a different and While not the easiest to translate, samo polako is easy larger role in the history and culture of the country. Collector to understand. It is a combination of “take it easy” and No. 2 Sve Moze and historian Zoran Zeković shares that, “The guvno has historical “just slow down.” This ubiquitous phrase is visible and After only a short time in the country as a traveler, significance for Montenegro because of its symbolic meaning. It’s deep within the culture. Whether on the Mediterranean you are likely to hear the phrase sve moze (sve mozhe) a place to gather.” coastline or inside a centuries old village, this life often. This view that “everything is possible” is an philosophy marks the people of Montenegro. They have openness to a request or an idea. The guvno is first mentioned in writings more than 300 years ago. historically valued people and relationship over frenetic At that time, houses were small and not ideal places for families activity. Combined with this call to slow down is an Sve moze sums up the classic Monetnegrin approach to gather. The surrounding areas were either super rocky or were expectation to put away worries. Samo polako connotes to life–especially in the villages. Also, it hints at the cleared fields where crops were planted. The community needed living in the here and now. approach they take toward guests. It is part of a deep a shared space. hospitality that compels them because they genuinely Throughout the the Montenegrin people have care and want to protect the family name. Moving the Centuries ago, each village hired master stonemasons to design a reputation for being lazy. Maybe true. Maybe not. conceptual idea to a practical reality may take work in and build the local guvno. The villagers would help with the labor. It could just be the Montengrin hygge. It is a value of some instances, but the willingness is certain and in Once complete, it became a community meeting center. Inside people and calm over stress. Samo polako points to rest most cases action is inevitable. Sve moze. this circle the village chieftain would gather with the elders to and decompression. discuss the pressing issues of the day.

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Mount Lovcen, the key feature in Lovcen National Park, is the most revered place The guvno has historical significance in Montenegro. The national hero lies for Montenegro because of its symbolic in state in a mausoleum that sits on top of the mountain with this iconic guvno. meaning. It’s a place to gather. Situated just west of , the park is accessible from on the coast or from Podgorica.

the heart of Montenegro

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04 Kum

Located just across the Adriatic from Italy, Montenegro also has a tradition of the kum or godfather. Unlike Maurio Puzo’s depiction in his films, however, the kum relationship can be good and low drama.

This is a chosen relationsihp based on the birth of a child or can be selected for a wedding or baptism. Once people enter into the kum relationship, it is a lifelong commitment. A promise of affection, counsel, and an enduring love. Holidays, harvests, and special events are likely to include the kum as well as frequent coffees and phone calls. Some call the kum relationship the healthiest and best in the country.

photo: Aleksandar Jaredic

05 Tetka

Montenegrins boast of a special relationship between an adult sister and her nephews and nieces. This unique aunt relationship has a special name in the language–tetka. Locals pride themselves on the lack of historical violence in this sacred relationship. The tetka is to be loving and nurturing like a mother, but she’s the cool aunt. The always safe one. At times, there is more affection for the tetka from the kids than for the respective mom.

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While the country is only a fraction of the geographic area of some global metroplexes, it holds more beauty than some countries that are many times its’ size. It is possible to be in a centuries old village for breakfast, on the mountain slopes skiing in the morning, at the beach in the afternoon and finish the day at a . vineyard by the lake.

Montenegro stands unique as the most bio-diverse country in . This level of diversity is not possible without a robust amount of variance in the landscape., the Central This tiny country, and the Northern Mountain Region boasts 3 distinct geographic areas: the 3 REGIONS,Coastal Region 100 WORLDS Simply beautiful, PAGE strikingly complex 6 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

BEACH REPORT Beaches in the north are concrete piers or large rocks. Heading south, the rocks become pebble size and more like a large, granular sand near .

The Coastal Region: Making a First Impression

Montenegro boasts 293 km of Adriatic coastline with 73 km of beaches. All along the way, sprawling mountains provide a striking backdrop to Venetian, Austrian, and Turkish influenced old towns. New developments are also popping up near the water.

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The Coastline D & her Mediterranean Vibe LIke the country, Montenegro’s Coastal Region is a tour de force in natural and cultural diversity. Each town and beach area have a unique feel, while all share the Mediterranean climate and the local “samo polako” ethos.

B

A. Hercog Novi The northern point A 14th century coastal town at the A foot of Mount . Due to the E mountain incline, HN offers more stairs than anywhere else on the Adriatic. A beautiful, historic climb.

B. Quiet, historic bay town Believed to be the former capital of Illyria. The best Roman mosaics in the country lie in the heart of this town at the innermost point of the bay.

C. E. Idyllic setting Redeveloping coastal town A peaceful, quaint old town with who’s A steadily modernizing small coastal city. The who guests. Perast looks toward the bay a second airport in the country lies here making short distance from a natural and a man- coastal travel even easier. C made island each with a famous church.

F D. Kotor F. Porto Montenegro Ancient Venetian old town Super yacht port The number one tourist Formerly a dilapidated port for the destination in the country, this Yugoslav navy. Today a high-end vertical fortified city offers planned community with amenities. stunning views and shopping.

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The Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) holds amazing views, Bay of Kotor historic towns, and 107 km of one-of-a-kind coastline.

Collection of History & Beauty Bay of Kotor’s nature setting stuns travelers, especially when combined with Venetian coastal towns, Roman relics, and more.

A United Nations World Heritage Site in both the nature and culture categories, Kotor ranks as an absolute must-see. The origins of Kotor date back around 18 centuries with some standing structures more than 500 years old. On the ridge of the mountain above, St. Ivan’s Fortress provides a wall highlighting the top of the mountain by day and a glowing outline of this natural barrier by night.

The “fjords”–technically a ria but the effect is the same–lining the Bay of Kotor set the area apart dramatically. Spread around the bay are a series of coastal towns and stories besides Kotor’s. Highlights include the pristine architecture of Perast; the natural St. George’s island and the facing manmade Our Lady of the Rock island off the coast of Perast; Risan, the former capital of Illirium; and pre-historic cave drawings as well as a Roman mosaic.

Vacationing in the bay for several days is a great option. Guests should allow at least a full day to see the sites in the Bay of Kotor.

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G. Budva Favorite Eastern European destination A Montenegrin coastal hub, Budva welcomes with her picturesque beaches, 2500 year ancient old town, and booming party scene. H

H. Sveti Stefan Rolls Royce of the Adriatic A 15th century island fishing village, now the most exclusive resort in the Adriatic during the summer months.. I J

I. Petrovac Historic coastal town The beauty of Budva with less people and party. Historic with new developments in process..

J. Bar The port city A modern year-round port that offers Mediterranean city life and several beach options.

K. Another world Great old town that is early in the international discovery process. Here Montenegrin and Albanian cultures come together to create something new.

K L. Long Beach and Ada Bojana The sandy beaches Worth noting: One of the longest sandy The coastline has places and spaces for a wide range of tastes and budgets. Several beaches in Europe, these high-end developments are underway such as Lustica Bay and a new Porto. On the beaches have great sand, waves, budget side, camping and more everyman beach options exist in , Clan, etc. and gusts of .

PAGE L 10 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.comTRAVEL MONTENEGRO w w w . m e a nder b u g . c o m Throughout the summer months plus, kites dip and soar on the southern end of Long Beach where are strong and the waves keep LLong Beach (Velika Plaza) rolling on in. g B : s sun,e surf, sand, and waves each c s B i u ac ng a n, o lik LongL Beach:thethe BasicsBas e sur V , r e o in h h ac nsh h f, e u it B s sa ( g e W s. r nd, V on ns e e LongL Beacht eor Velika v h d n a i w an el Plaza ,is 12 km of fine s d d e furte a e h v ly sand,san intenseiz sunshine, a e n -s t d ika e up t r w va at k e r ic gg w e p i e pri h y b r ac a and an infinite sourceg of small a e mod rall n e b v Pl o e r r tot moderate-sizedn waves. Withe a e e uci h r pe d s g t fo e rod n, n e e rs son i l p v e r ta a fewer ndsmountainsh for protection,a the g in up n windswi ut generallyideal pickwind h up surfing the further conditions.n r pe a co ee s y u a w e z so lo t h e o t pe e m st e c g sand h b a ibl a u and os t ju n e n o is c s I b ss w l yyou go southh producing bigger waves ande on i . al e o e ) h t y cc r g t nas T o as a rci u w y a . p re d e a o to a on ab h s a r lly y d t. al c a m g a e r c a r ch pe m n h os ll o e a o lica ri t c AllA alongowned this beachessandys haven, where there bthe firm arefo privately givese someros c b B and y o a e y bbeach arease is just a couple. jo n l h a eueurosh per day. In betweenlla t attentionrel to trash t pickup.dayd for Also, a spot they on providetthe the commercial maintainede pu as rbeachese en aat no cost. b aarer publicallyre accessible day, toileton the facilities, beach. Theand costa small per restaurant personaareas. per mb Bring your own umbrellasum or cabanas and loungers for a beach uumbrellaand and enjoy a towel the day PAGEPAGE 1111 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Heart of the Country: Key Central Landmarks

The Central Region of the country has the most populated 01 areas and the most historic landmarks in the country. This area is the heart of the old country and the economic center of modern day Montenegro.

01 Rijeka Crnojevica 02 Lovcen National Park Rijeka Crnojevica is a river with a town The resting place for the national 02 03 named after it. This little hamlet offers hero, Petar Njegos, Lovcen holds a riverside dining, epic views, and a favorite spot for nationals. On the number of hiking trails for those wanting peak you will find a mausoleum and to see the diverse nature. guvno, below are hiking trails, sport Must find: picnic table with a view.. activities, and local source foods.

03 Ostrog Monastery 04 Virpazar Built into the face of the mountain, Where wild beauty and quiet town Ostrog hangs between heaven and meet. With less than 400 residents, earth. One of the oldest monasteries this small town on Skadar Lake is in the country, people make pilgrimage growing in reputation as a vacation from many countries to pay respects and spot for organic foods, wine, and pray for a miracle. water adventures in nature .

04

PAGE 12 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com Skadar Lake The largest lake in the Balkans, stretches well into Montenegro and Albania. Like a setting from Narnia, the lake supports a unique habitat for flora and fauna. In addition to hiking and water adventures, it is an ideal place for bird watching with 348 recorded species in the area.

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The Central Region consists of key cities, distinctive The Central Region consists of key cities, distinctive organic Key CentralCentral LandmarksLandmarks organic foods, and epic spfoods,raw liandng epiclands sprawlingcapes. landscapes.

05 NjegusiNjegusi Village Village 06 Vineyards and orchards 0077 PodgoricaPodgorica The birthplacebirthplace of Mr.Mr. Njegos,Njegos. localsLocals claim claim this this village village Vineyards ranging from tiny to one of the largest in The capitalcapital citycity withwith thethe mainmain airport,airport, busbus terminal,terminal, and is where seasea andand mountainmountain airair meet.meet. BecauseBecause ofof this,this, Europe and fruit orchards dot the central region. This railroadand railr station.oad station. A good A g oplaceod p latoce begin to be gina journey a journey as well the bbestest prsut (prosciutto)(prosciutto) inin thethe countrycountry hashas thethe name area is most famous for its dark vranac grape which asas enjoywell as long enjoy coffees long coffees at any atof anyher numerousof her numerous cafes and nameNjegusi Nj attached.egusi attached. makes a wine so dark the locals call it black wine. cdevelopingafes and developing foodie scene. foodie scene.

0808 KuciKuci Mountains Mountains 09 CetinjeCetinje 1010 MrtvicaMrtvica Canyon Canyon A lesserlesser knownknown mountainmountain range,range, thethe KuciKuci mountainsmountains are FormerlyFormerly the capitalcapital of thethe country,country, CetinjeCetinje continuescontinues to A gorgegorge in the center ofof thethe countrycountry knownknown asas DeathDeath jaggedare jag grocksed ro toweringcks towering over over Lake L Bukumirsko.ake Bukumirs Idealko. Id foreal earnto earn the the unofficial unofficial title title ofof culture culture capital. capital. Located Located under Canyon.Canyon. AccessibleAccessible forfor aa dayday hikehike ifif stayingstaying inin thethe forfamily family or friend or friend outings outings with withwide wideopen op enplaces plac toes topicnic underMt. Lovcen, Mt. Lovcen, the city the has c itya great has a walking great w streetalking withstreet ccapital.apital. About threethree hourshours in,in, planplan aa restrest inin thethe tunneltunnel picnicand explore. and explore. withhistoric historic buildings, buildings, small sm cafes,all c aandfes, monasteries. and monasteries. ccarvedarved intointo thethe sideside ofof thethe mountain.mountain.

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PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO Formerly known as Titograd, Podgorica means “city under a hill.” Situated in the largest plain in the country, Podgorica lies under the shadow of many mountains making it a good place from which to start any adventure.

Vineyards and orchards on the outskirts of the capital city.

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The Real Montenegro: Peaks and Local Tradition

Exploring the Northern Mountain Region of Montenegro

hile the coastline earns the best-known destination internationally and the central part of the country Wis the heart of Montenegro’s history and seemingly her economic future as well, it is the Northern Mountain Region that stands out as the most uniquely Montenegrin. This is the area locals suggest you go see the #WildBeauty of nature and taste real Montenegrin foods. Connected to this rugged land of mountains stand a gracious, strong people that have braved life here for centuries in their small communities around and on the mountains. These mountain men and women know their land and graciously share its goodness and hidden secrets with others who will take the time to enjoy the beauty and culture.

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DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK A United Nations World Heritage Site, Durmitor mesmerizes year- round with its 48+ peaks and 18 glacial lakes. The tallest peak, Bobotov Kuk, reaches 2,523 m.

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KOMOVI MOUNTAIN With 3 main peaks, the Komovi massif has an iconic look. The varying nature below the rock peaks are home to diverse flora, fauna and a host of villages.

photo by Darko Vukovic PAGE 18 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

BJELASICA MOUNTAIN Surrounded by villages, Bjelasica gives life to the locals with arable lands and as a center for foraging and adventure.

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PROKLETIJE NATIONAL PARK Spanning the tips of Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo, Prokletije remained virtually unknown for years by travelers. Thanks to cooperation by the 3 countries today with outside agency help, the park is now beginning to see an uptick in visitor traffic for a range of activities including the 10-day Peaks of the Balkans hike. PAGE 20 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

BIOGRADSKA GORA NATIONAL PARK A part of Bjelasica, Biogradska Gora is one of 3 rain forests in Europe. Perfect for a day hike, MTB, or a cookout with friends.

PAGE photo by Peter Stonelake 21 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

PIVA PLATEAU The River was dammed for hydro power forming the Piva Lake. Surrounding this area is a plateau that is 55 km x 30 km.

photo by Brit Boone PAGE 22 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com MORACA & LUKAVICA Laid bare to the elements without vegetation, these mountains provide an otherworldly environment and incredible views.

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hen a land contains mountains, then Wit also inevitably will have rivers, lakes, caves, and canyons. These amazing features of nature call out for people to explore. They beckon for adventurers to apprecaiate the majesty that surrounds them and to understand how small we are in comparison. Montenegro serves up this opportunity to YEAR-ROUND see the glory all around if we are brave and/or committed ADVENTURE enough to see it through. From her highest peaks in Durmitor and Prokletije to her unknown canyons (like Nevideo or the Unseen Canyon) she invites participation in something great. For spelunkers to kite surfers and hikers to Nordic skiers, check out some of the amazing adventures that are amped up in this tiny country with massive bio-diversity. Montenegro extends a huge range of year- round adventures for those ready to go.

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Lukavica Hiking

photo by Peter Stonelake photo by Peter Stonelake PAGE 25 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Mt. Lovcen Motorbikes

photo by Zoran Radonjic PAGE 26 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Tara River Rafting & Kayaking

photo by Miljko Bulajic PAGE 27 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Mt. Sinjajevina Snow shoeing / Ski touring

photo by Peter Stonelake PAGE 28 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Lim river Fly fishing

photo by Brit Boone

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Mt. Bjelasica Mountain biking

photo by Jovan Nikolic PAGE 30 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Skadar Lake Bushcraft

photo by Damira Kalac PAGE 31 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Mt. Bjelasica Snowmobiling

photo by Explorer PAGE 32 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Organic Farm Stay

Organic farm to table goodness and centuries of tradition in local villages.

photo by Marija Vugdelic

PAGE 33 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com Farm Stay: Organic Rest Scattered throughout Montenegro, villages are the soul of the country. These family farms set in the mountains offer travelers organic farm to table foods and a unique place to rest in the mountains.

arm to table means more in Montenegro. And for those that prefer, there is almost always These farm homes are usually built from the fresh spring water at hand. rock and trees on the property. The table is very likely to have come from lumber Ffrom the farm. And yes, the meat, dairy, fruits, and “Stepping out of our vehicle, all we vegetables are from the farm or at least from the could do was stop and stare at the surrounding village. Often, farm to table at farm gorgeous view of the mountains and stays in Montenegro can be measured in just a few the sky that was lit on fire in front of meters. Food in the village defines fresh, organic, our eyes.” and homemade.

This slow food culture brings the same commitment With villages set on or under so many mountains, to the beverage side of nutrition. Villagers make the views provide a special environment for eyes- their own drinks with lots of juices when in season wide-open rest. The fresh mountain air helps clear and syrups that they preserve for the rest of the the mind. For adventurers the rest is even better year. Flavors include pomegranate, berry, apple, after a hard day of hiking, mountain biking, or Siberian blueberry, elderflower, etc. Also, wine is Nordic skiing across the fascinating, ever-changing made and/or brandy distilled at most family farms. landscape.

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photo by Brit Boone PAGE 35 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

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As we were heading to bed...my husband commented to me that he was so happy that this would be a memory that our children would have of their childhood.

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“These past three days here in your mountain home will be one of our favorite memories from this trip. Thank you...!” Centuries of Tradition ontenegro and her villages are inseparable. They are her story. A strong, tough people that survive in some of the “My family has been making most beautiful and yet most challenging (cheese / prosciutto / wine / brandy) Mnatural landscapes. Whether the village has fostered this way here for 500+ years.” the sve moze and samo palako values or the values brought their signature to the village is unclear, but either way it translates to a highly relationional, are delighted to share their know-how with others. hospitable people. They are proud to share their Though they may laugh at the city folks from time to home, their food, and their way of life. time, it is all in good spirit and a lot of fun. They are already saying “dobro dosli” or “welcome!” And yes From milking a cow and making cheese to foraging they are probably already preparing a mess of food for mountain teas and mushrooms, the villagers and pouring a drink for you.

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After harvesting, the villager will take the corn to the local mill to have it ground into corn flour.

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Harvesting Montenegro’s distinctive Vranac grape.

photo by Djurisic Winery PAGE 40 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

With winter coming, villagers use some of the fruit harvest for distilling rakija (brandy).

PAGE photo by Brit Boone 41 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com Visas “Bizarre travel plans are dancing Most travelers are able to travel Need to Know lessons from God.” without visas in Montenegro for ~Kurt Vonnegut up to 30 days. More detailed info Language(s) is available here. Money Stuff When using Google translate or any type of language app, it is not common to find Montenegrin as an While traveling in the country, The official currency in option. Serbian works well especially for those that have a level of proficiency with the Cyrillic alphabet. If registration needs to be made in Montenegro is the Euro. your alphabet preference is Latin-based, then consider using the Bosnian language for translation and study. the region where you are staying. Exchanging other currencies Generally the owner of lodging is possible at any bank with Besides Google translate, some apps we find helpful for language survival and study are Pocket Polyglot where you are staying will take a passport. Also, ATMs are (Bosnian language version) and Quizlet with a number of vocabulary sets in Serbian and Bosnian. care of this, but the process is a good way to obtain funds, still being worked out for rural though some local banks The language question is as much about politics as it is determining the actual language. Some will say they tourism. Campers can go directly set limits on withdrawal speak Montenegrin while others claim Serbian. Though there are some differences in alphabet, spelling, and to the regional office and register amounts per transaction in word usage, these two languages and others that come out of the Serbo-Croatian mother tongue are largely and pay the daily tax which a lesser amount than the interchangeable. generally costs less than a Euro home bank allows. per person per day. Medical Locals are good-spirited about making change but Montenegro is advanced in various homeopathic when withdrawing funds treatments due to her biodiverse nature. Though it is good to secure some the traditional medical practices are not up to smaller denominations for western standards systematically, there are quality taxis, coffee, and the like. doctors, private clinics and physical therapists. For emergencies, Codra, a private hospital in Podgorica, Most vendors accept Visa provides a good level of treatment on a wide range and Mastercard. It is a of ailments. For minor to normal issues, the private common practice when clinics provide care at a reasonable level with very processing credit cards affordable prices. to do so in front of the customer. Safety

Tipping is growing in A laid back people living in a natural wonderland frequency. A 10% tip is provides a setting that is serene and safe. That is usually generous here, but Montenegro in general, though, like other places, a few in high-end restaurants 15% issues do pop up from time to time. A good practice is acceptable. always is to guard personal items when in tourist-heavy crowds.

PAGE 42 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com Staying Connected Though it can be great to get away and disconnect for a while during travel, there are often times where you need to keep in touch with friends and family. And of course you will have pics and stories to share with your tribe on social media. Whether you are in a more densely populated part of the country or in the less-peopled, more #wildbeauty areas, there are still options for staying connected.

is available at most sit-down cafes and coffee shops. If you are Wifi going for coffee, then go to enjoy the coffee and time with friends. If you are drinking coffee as a means to an internet connection, then pick a less crowded cafe to allow more bandwidth. In addition to cafe connections, many of the more urban areas have free area wifi in the center or throughout the city. Many of the public transport places also provide wifi.

cards are readily available via the three mobile providers: 3G SIM Telenor, T-Com, and m:tel. The SIM and a pre-paid package may be purchased at any of their offices. Customers need to provide an official ID and complete a small amount of paperwork. 3G SIM cards are available in standard, micro, and nano sizes. If traveling into the mountains, you may want to check with your guide or hosts about connectivity at a certain location. Also, some remote places do not have electricity, so you may need to pack battery backups. But with a small amount of effort, you should be able to stay connected with others. PAGE 43 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com

Transportation: Enjoying the journey

Airports Train schedules available here. There are cues near malls and public places. get additional insurance at the border. Flying to Montengro is getting easier. Also you can order a ride via phone or check Airports in the country are in Podgorica The bus system consists of a number of out the app KlikTaxi. You can order a taxi Paid parking in Montenegro can be a hassle (TGD) and Tivat (TIV). In Croatia, full-size buses, smaller buses, and vans. simply by putting in your location. for travelers. When parking in town, look to (DBV) also enables quick access to Schedules are available at the bus station see if parking spaces are numbered. White Montenegro. and here. Car Rental striping with numbers usually means you Car rentals in Montenegro are economical can park there, but you need to pay on your Easy access flights into the country now If you want to come by sea, then there are and safe. Though the cars may have more phone. If possible, try to find free areas or originate out of London, Brussels, Paris, cruises docking in Kotor throughout the kilometers than those in western markets, find guarded parking lots. The fees on these Zurich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome, summer and a ferry that goes from Bari, Italy rentals are clean, safe, and in good repair. are usually not much and it ensures you will Vienna, Belgrade, Istanbul, and Moscow. to Bar, Montenegro. Another option is to Often rentals will come with insurance and a not receive a parking ticket. dock your super yacht in Porto Montenegro. GPS. Though this may seem too good to be Public Transport true, go with it. It’s real. Hitchhiking The bus and train system are safe and Taxis Hithhiking is part of the Balkan culture. efficient. Larger towns have a bus station. Taxi is a key mode of transport for locals. In Let the rental company know if you are Getting to the right place where hitchhiking Bar, Podgorica, and Bijelo Polje have train Podgorica a taxi ride across the city is likely planning to travel into other countries. normally happens will decrease wait time. At stations as well as smaller places enroute. to cost no more than 3 or 4 euros. Taxis Additional paperwork may be required for the edges of town and select roundabouts Some trains will stop only in major cities while on the coast cost a bit more. Hailing a taxi travel into Albania. Also, note that for travel are usually places where hitchhikers will others will stop at every station along the way. is not a common practice in Montenegro. to Kosovo from Montenegro you will need to begin the next leg of their journey.

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about Working together makes a difference! Meanderbug is pleased to partner with a vast range of partners from official Adventure. Farm stay. Responsible travel. government agencies to NGOs and for-profit entities. Some of our favorite partners are an ever-growing number of amazing locals living in the cities and We find great people, great stories, and customize your plan as you like to villages that show us the goodness of the country. In turn, they help us make great places, and great experiences best meet your travel goals. You make this available for travelers. Some of our partners include: and make them available to you. We your travel yours. provide coaching and encouragement along the way for our partners where Second, planning your travel through needed. Some of our partners have meanderbug helps locals. We work been in the travel industry for several in cooperation with others to plan years. We learn from them. Some are travel experiences that will help preparing to host their first traveler. provide work and opportunity where We help coach them. The newbies are it has been lacking. We coach, hire, usually simultaneously nervous and and partner in ways to advance excited. They want to make a good opportunities for people in the impression on you. We believe they community. will, as they have already made a good impression on us. Who we are… We love this Balkan peninsula. That’s Why should you care? why we live and travel here. The There are two reasons what we do story and beauty captivate us. That’s matters. One, it’s good for you. Two, why we seek to unlock the amazing it’s good for others. aspects of this land and people for other travelers. First, you plan your travel the way you want to with meanderbug’s help. We are natives and outsiders working We provide lots of good, eco-friendly here together. Our locals bring story, options–we call them modules–for lots of contacts, and understanding to you to select the adventures and our effort to help you travel well. Our places that you want to experience. expats bring fresh These experiences will get you close perspective and to locals and as far off the beaten vision to seek good path as you want to go. Meanderbug for travelers and modules will put you in the middle communities alike. of organic, culture, and adventure goodness. You combine the modules rist Agency Tou

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