BAY OF KOTOR CRUISE Departure from Bar at 8:30 am. A short stop at the viewpoint above the town-hotel of Sveti Stefan. Boarding in Tivat. Unforgettable cruise of Bay of Kotor will take your breath away with amazing views throughout the day: old naval towns with centuries and even millennia of history and rich cultural heritage, islands, sand and pebble beaches, rocky coves and steep cliffs, olive groves and palm trees, marinas, hotels, apartments… We will pass by the islets of Saint Mark and the Island of Flowers, as well as the beautiful resorts of Krašići and Rose, and the Luštica peninsula, and we will stop at Mirište. You can use this break to swim, or to board one of the boats that will take you to the Blue Cave, where you can swim, dive or enjoy the landscape. Afterwards, we will continue to Herceg Novi, passing by the islet of Mamula, and the Prevlaka peninsula. We will pass by coastal towns and reach the two gems of the Bay of Kotor, off the coast of ancient Perast – the town with unique of baroque architecture in the Adriatic: St. George is a natural islet, and is home to the remains of a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century and the Church of St. George, which gave the islet its name. The famous Swiss-German symbolist painter Arnold Böcklin made the islet famous in his “Isle of the Dead” series of paintings, which are considered his most notable works. Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) is an artificial islet, based on a mound created around a submerged rock. This unusual island is a result of centuries-old overlapping of legend and tradition, and was made with unselfish assistance from the inhabitants of Perast and other towns in the Bay of Kotor. Its church was constructed in 1630, in place of a previously built smaller church from the second half of the 15th century. The entire surface of the church’s nave was decorated with 68 ceiling and wall paintings, which are the life’s work of Tripo Kokolja from Perast (1661 – 1713). They include the famous “Death of the Virgin”. The icon of Our Lady of the Rocks was made in 1452 by Lovro Dobričević. The visitors of this church can also see the unique tapestry, made over 25 years by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović, while waiting for her loved one to return from the sea. She used her hair to make the tapestry, which was gold while she was young and silver as she grew old. After that we will go to Kotor, the biggest and most well-known town in the Bay of Kotor, which is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, owing to the many historical monuments. This is the most beautiful part of the Bay of Kotor, since it is a special combination of natural beauty, tall mountains, the sea, and human-made structures: palaces of once famous seamen, churches and cathedrals, and the unique Kotor walls. Departure for Tivat around 5:30 pm, and return to Bar. Excursion price includes: transportation, guide, lunch on boat: €65 Excursion price does not include: entrance tickets Trip cost depends on the number of people. This is the price for 8 people. TOUR OF MONTENEGRO: Kotor – Njeguši – Cetinje Driving on the Adriatic highway to Kotor. Visit to the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO’s protection is a recognition of the cultural heritage of this town, comprising the ensemble of town churches, palaces and buildings, special for their architectural style and unique harmony with the environment. The walls of Kotor, including St John’s Fortress, have been preserved as a landmark of international importance. The 4.5 km long walls protected the town from enemies and pirates. St. Tryphon’s Cathedral is the most recognisable building in all of coastal Montenegro and is a trademark of Kotor. Passing by the palaces of noble families, you will feel the spirit of Venetian culture and architecture. The excursion continues on the steep slopes of Mount Lovćen, up to the viewpoint at 900 metres above sea level, with a spectacular view of the Bay of Kotor, one of the 25 most beautiful bays in the world. The winding road then leads to the village of Njeguši – cradle of prince-bishops and rulers from the Petrović dynasty. Tasting of typical national specialties: Njeguši cheese and dry-cured ham with homemade bread and homemade wine or mead. The path continues through the “sea of stone” and leads to Cetinje, the old royal capital of Montenegro, the place which best preserves the spirit and tradition of the Montenegrin people. The story of Cetinje will take you back to the 15th century. In order to save his people from Ottoman onslaught and protect Orthodox religion and culture, the great ruler Ivan Crnojević left the fertile grounds of Lake Skadar and found refuge at the foot of rocky Mount Lovćen. Having built his castle and monastery, he founded the new seat of Montenegro and Montenegrin Metropolitanate, the town of Cetinje. The Petrović dynasty constantly fought against the Ottomans for the independence of their homeland, a feat they achieved in late 19th century. At the Berlin Congress in 1878, Montenegro was recognised as an independent state. This little town still keeps evidence of the secular and spiritual rule of the Petrović dynasty. Many European countries had their embassies in this little town. Every house on the main square reveals a part of Montenegrin history.The Biljarda – residence of prince-bishop, famous writer and philosopher Petar II Petrović Njegoš. It was named after the billiards table that Petar II bought in Vienna. It was in this house that Petar II wrote down his thoughts and finished his masterpiece, “Mountain Wreath”. The Castle of King Nikola will allow you to get to know the life of the Petrović royal family. Cetinje Monastery (with the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje, right hand of John the Baptist and a particle of the True Cross). In spare time we recommend you visit another famous relic – the icon of the Most Holy Theokotos Filermosa. On the way back, there will be a break for photos, with a view of the Budva Riviera, the gem of the Adriatic coastline, with the peninsula of Sveti Stefan and its beaches. Excursion price includes: transportation, walking tour with guide in Kotor and Cetinje, snack and drink in Njeguši: €45 Excursion price does not include: entrance tickets and lunch Trip cost depends on the number of people. This is the price for 8 people. CETINJE AND LIPA CAVE Driving on the Adriatic highway to Budva. The road then leads to Cetinje, the old capital of Montenegro, the place which best preserves the spirit and tradition of the Montenegrin people. The story of Cetinje will take you back to the 15th century. In order to save his people from the Ottoman onslaught and protect Orthodox religion and culture, the great ruler Ivan Crnojević left the fertile grounds of Lake Skadar and found refuge at the foot of rocky Mount Lovćen. Having built his castle and monastery, he founded the new seat of Montenegro and Montenegrin Metropolitanate, the town of Cetinje. The Petrović dynasty constantly fought against the Ottomans for the independence of their homeland, a feat they achieved in late 19th century. At the Berlin Congress in 1878, Montenegro was recognised as an independent state. This little town still keeps evidence of the secular and spiritual rule of the Petrović dynasty. Many European countries had their embassies in this little town. Every house on the main square reveals a part of Montenegrin history. A tour of the legacy of the famous Petrović dynasty, which ruled for more than 200 years: the Biljarda – residence of prince- bishop, famous writer and philosopher Petar II Petrović Njegoš. It was named after the billiards table that Petar II bought in Vienna. It was in this house that Petar II wrote down his thoughts and finished his masterpiece, “Mountain Wreath”. The Castle of King Nikola will allow you to get to know the life of the Petrović royal family.Cetinje Monastery (with the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje, right hand of John the Baptist and a particle of the True Cross). In spare time we recommend you visit another famous relic – the icon of the Most Holy Theokotos Filermosa. Lipa Cave is located in the village of Dobrsko Selo, just outside Cetinje. It is one of the oldest explored caves in Montenegro. The exploration of the cave and first records date back to the 19th century. The exploration was ordered by prince-bishop Petar II Petrović Njegoš. King Nikola used to meet foreign officials there. Today, you will be greeted by kind and trained guides in front of the entrance, who will lead us through the cave. We will feel a strong gust of wind from the inside, and a big temperature difference. The temperature inside the cave is the same throughout the year, and varies between 10 and 12°C. The first stop is the bar, where you can rent a coat if you are cold. The tour continues with a beautiful 400-meter walk, through the main tunnel of Lipa Cave, where you can truly enjoy the cave’s intact nature. We will be able to experience the creative power of nature, while watching the dancing forms of cave jewellery. The next stop is Njegoš hall, where you can feel the compete darkness of the cave and witness the most beautiful stalactites inside the cave.