46 Pages Year-Round of Photos & ADVENTURE Need-To-Know Pg 24 Before You Go!
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TRAVEL MONTENEGRO w w w . m e a nder b u g . c o m 5 Culture Travel INSIGHTS Pg 03 Montenegro 3 Regions 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 Pg 42 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 PAGE 33 24 2 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com 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 Balkans 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. PAGE 3 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com 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 Cetinje, the park is accessible from Kotor on the coast or from Podgorica. the heart of Montenegro PAGE 4 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com 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. PAGE 5 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com 3 REGIONS, 100 WORLDS Simply beautiful, Montenegro stands unique as the While the country is only a fraction of the strikingly complex most bio-diverse country in Europe. geographic area of some global metroplexes, This level of diversity is not possible it holds more beauty than some countries without a robust amount of variance that are many times its’ size. It is possible in the landscape. This tiny country to be in a centuries old village for boasts 3 distinct geographic areas: the breakfast, on the mountain slopes Coastal Region, the Central Region, and the skiing in the morning, at the beach in Northern Mountain Region. the afternoon and finish the day at a vineyard by the lake. PAGE 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 Budva. 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. PAGE 7 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com 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 Orjen. Due to the E mountain incline, HN offers more stairs than anywhere else on the Adriatic. A beautiful, historic climb. B. Risan 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. Perast E. Tivat 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. PAGE 8 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO www.meanderbug.com 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. PAGE 9 TRAVEL MONTENEGRO G www.meanderbug.com 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.