the Old Town -

Ljubljana – a slightly psychedelic city of dragons

Gosia — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 15:36:05 +0000

Ljubljana is one of those cities that’s impossible not to like. Time seems to move slower here, and instead of the traffic jams and rush typical of other European capitals, the city charms with its intimate, relaxed atmosphere. The city’s most iconic landmark is the Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most). It was built to replace an old wooden bridge that collapsed during an earthquake in 1895. Initially, the plan was to decorate it with winged lions, but in the end, four dragons took the stage. Local legend has it that if a virgin crosses the bridge, the dragons will wag their tails. In practice? Well, let’s be honest – traffic on the bridge is pretty heavy, and the dragons remain stubbornly still. Beyond the Dragon Bridge, three other bridges are worth checking out. One of the oldest is the Shoemakers’ Bridge. Like the Dragon Bridge, it used to be wooden. Back then, it was lined with butcher shops, but the stench proved unbearable, so the authorities ordered them to relocate. Shoemaking workshops moved in instead. Speaking of butchers, Ljubljana also has the Butchers’ Bridge (Mesarski most). Built in 2010, it’s the youngest of the city’s bridges. Today, instead of meat, it’s covered in love locks and quirky sculptures. The most charming of them all is the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), located at Prešeren Square, the heart of the city. From here, you get a lovely view of the Ljubljanica River and the Franciscan Church. The Triple Bridge is right next to Cankarjevo Nabrežje, the famous riverside promenade full of cafés, eateries, and live music. In the medieval centre, there’s a street that literally stares at you from beneath your feet: Ključavničarska Street, the Locksmiths’ Street. Its cobbles are adorned with hundreds of strange bronze faces. The faces create a surreal scene that stretches all the way to Mestni trg, the city’s oldest square, home to the Town Hall and Robba Fountain. On the other side of the river lies the elegant Congress Square, surrounded by historic buildings including the Slovenian Philharmonic and the University of Ljubljana. The best view of the city spreads from Castle Hill. Ljubljana Castle, or Ljubljanski Grad, towers over the city from 375 metres above. You can walk up in about 10–15 minutes for a free cardio session, or take the funicular that starts near the Central Market. The ride itself is an attraction. Once up there, you can explore the castle courtyard and the Chapel of St. George for free. The watchtower offers a fantastic panoramic view over the city. For a different vibe, head to the Metelkova district. Built on the site of former Austro-Hungarian barracks from 1911, today it’s a riot of colourful murals and psychedelic sculptures, where the parties can go on until the early hours – you can imagine the vibe 😉. The Slovenian government has tried several times to shut Metelkova down, but each attempt was met with resistance from local activists. Today, tourists come armed with cameras, artists with spray paint, and locals keep protesting – Metelkova still walks a fine line between legality and rebellion. In the modern part of the city stands another bizarre monument: the Cyanometer. Created by an artist Martin Bricelj Baraga, it measures the blueness of the sky. Over three metres tall, this column compares the sky above to a full colour palette and uses that to assess air quality. The principle is simple: the more “photoshopped” the blue, the cleaner the air. Faded colours indicate moisture and airborne particles. A local measuring station supplies data, which the Cyanometer displays on its surface along with the temperature. You can even track it online – because if it’s not on the internet, did it even happen? The installation appeared in 2016, coinciding with Ljubljana being named the European Green Capital. To round off your visit, head to the city’s largest park, Tivoli, where a distinctive castle now houses the Centre of Graphic Arts. Ljubljana may be small, but it’s full of character. Dragons, quirky sculptures, historic bridges, and the alternative world of Metelkova ensure you’ll never be bored, yet there are plenty of spots to relax away from the hustle and bustle typical of capital cities.

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Essaouira, Morocco

Gosia — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 15:50:33 +0000

Essaouira is one of those Moroccan cities that’s well worth a visit. Instead of the usual maze of narrow alleyways and a chaotic medina, here you’ll find a neat grid of streets, whitewashed houses with blue shutters, and a fresh breeze straight off the Atlantic. While it may not be as famous as Marrakesh or Fez, Essaouira has its own story, its own vibe, and more than a few solid reasons to swing by. The city’s history goes all the way back to Roman times, when traders dealt in a precious dye known as Tyrian purple (which I wrote about here). It was extracted from a particular species of sea snail found along the coast. The dye was used to colour garments across the Roman Empire. Later came the Portuguese – who, as they tended to do, got busy building fortresses in far-flung exotic spots. In 1506, they built one here and called it Mogador. Then in the 18th century, the area came under the control of the Sultan of Morocco, a man who appreciated both order and the finer points of French urban planning. Thus was born the city of As-Suwaira – meaning “beautifully designed” in Arabic. The French, gave it the more melodic name Essaouira. Essaouira is a whole different city compared to Fez or Marrakesh. It feels more orderly and a bit more European. The city is a blend of Arabic and European architecture, with white houses and blue shutters giving off Greek island vibes. Throw in the Arabic atmosphere and you’ve got yourself a rather intriguing mix. However, the best city’s attraction are the defensive walls. On the ocean side, two bastions – known as skala – guard the city. One of them, Skala de la Ville, sits right next to the old town. Back in the day it protected the city from pirates; nowadays, it offers great views over the medina and the sea. The second bastion, Skala du Port, as you can suppose is located right by the port, where you’ll find a fleet of iconic blue fishing boats. There’s a unique local energy here. At the fish market, you can watch hardened Essaouira locals haggling. From the port, you get a great view of the medina. The place also pulls in tourists – thanks largely to Game of Thrones. This places is Astapor in the series. Essaouira is also known as the “Wind City” – which sounds quite poetic until you’re chewing sand halfway through your beachside lunch. Still, it’s exactly that wind that brings windsurfers and kitesurfers here from all over the globe.

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Skopje, North Macedonia – the fantasy of a crazy architect

Gosia — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 14:28:42 +0000

Skopje was on my list for a long time, mainly because I wanted to see the capital of the former empire stretching on three continents, created by one of the greatest strategies of all time – Alexander III the Great. However, what I saw on the spot completely surprised me. Skopje actually looks very bizzare. The strict center of the city resembles the realisation of the boldest fantasy of a crazy architect. This is a combination of monumentalism and kitsch. Neoclassicism mixes here with a lot of unnecessary details and disco illumination, while adjacent districts are totally ruined. Clearly, North Macedonia has some kind of complex. However, no wonder, looking at the history of the name of this country. Over the years it was known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia. Since 2019, this country has been known as the Republic of North Macedonia. The change of name was the result of long conflict with Greece, which used to say that the name of this country referred to an ancient Macedonia, which was part of Greek cultural heritage. Moreover, for the same reason, Macedonia changed its flag. Additionally, while being in Macedonia, I was surprised by the number of Albanian flags in the streets. Albanians represent around ¼ of the general population and are one of the most numerous ethnic minorities in Macedonia; it’s the result of a large natural growth and a conflict in Kosovo which caused a large influx of Albanian refugees. The presence of so many Albanians, the neighbourhood of Albania and Kosovo and the pursuit to establish so called ‘Great Albania’ are the biggest threat to Macedonia. No wonder the Macedonians – descendants of Alexander the Great are trying to strengthen the sense of national identity and pride of the former empire. For this reason and following the tragic earthquake in 1963, the authorities decided to rebuild Skopje as the example of the capital of the former superpower. As part of the so-called The Skopje 2014 project they built many new government buildings, the Archaeological Museum, an almost 30-meter monument of ′′ The Warrior on a horse ′′ – presenting Alexander the Great. What’s the effect? A Warrior on a horse looks dignified, while the colourful rest of this monument is the quintessence of kitsch fashion. By the way, about 300 other monuments were built in Skopje, several of them can be seen here on the Wardar River, on the facades of buildings or in the form of numerous fountains. The number of decorations and colors overwhelms, the only thing missing is cotton candy and bagels stands. No wonder the implementation of the Skopje 2014 project caused numerous protests among the residents. It’s not only about aesthetics, although there’s no accouting for taste, the residents definitely want to talk about the lack of taste. In addition, it’s also caused by the fact that the remodeling of the center consumed a huge sum of money, while the country lacks funds, even for healthcare, education, and transport infrastructure. To this day you can see signs of riot on the streets of Skopje. Fortress Tvrdina Kale rises above the city. Unfortunately, the city authorities did not take care of its restoration, however, it’s a great viewpoint on the capital of Macedonia. The best is to get there from Old Čaršija, an old marketplace, which has a typical Turkish vibe. This place has been a marketplace since the 13th century and looks like time has stopped here. The old workshops and numerous stands with atiques, books and paintings create a unique atmosphere of this place. It’s also worth a look at the bakery run by an old lady from whom you can also purchase boza – a softly fermented drink made from a millet with a very interesting taste 😉 Nevertheless, the ′”back′′ of the market, created by narrow streets, with characteristic white buildings, is also interesting. The second interesting shopping place is the Green Market, where apart from vegetables and fruit you can buy many local products. The authentic spot in Skopje is Debar Maalo – a district that has retained its unique character. It’s located right next to the strict center of the city, but it doesn’t look like as pretentious and artificial as the center. Here you can see the real lives of the residents of Skopje and how the city actually requires financial support. It’s striking when you compare the pathetic building of the strict center with Debar Maalo reality. When visiting Skopje it’s worth taking a look here, because this neighborhood is famous for a lot of restaurants and cafes. Besides, there are many interesting murals here. Don’t miss visiting the Museum of Skopje, located at the place of the former railway station. Time has literally stopped at the museum, the clock on the facade has shown the same time since the earthquake began in 1963. On the other hand, you can see here an exhibition devoted to this tragedy. Do you like this post? Check out another one!

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Lucca, Tuscany – forests on the roofs, Girl on a Trail

Gosia — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 16:29:30 +0000

Among the picturesque hills and vineyards of Tuscany there is a charming town – Lucca. At first glance, it looks the same as other Italian towns. However, there are some surprising places to explore. Lucca used to be a very rich city, inhabited by wealthy merchants. Its position was mainly due to the monopoly for silk production. Although silk clothes are still made here, Lucca is mostly famous for its excellent olive oil. Supposedly olive oil produced here is one of the best in Tuscany. Residents are proud of their city’s history and typical local dialect. Lucca maintained its independence as a city – state until 1837. Lucca’s unique attraction is Torre Guinigi, a 45-meter high tower, on its top you can see some trees planted. It is one of the few so called, residential towers that were preserved in the city. It was built in the 14th century by one of the rich merchants. In times of unstable political situation, the tower served both residential and defensive function. Currently Torre Guinigi roof is available for sightseeing. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to see it. During my stay in Lucca in summer 2020, sightseeing was limited due to COVID restrictions. Lucca is also called the city of 100 churches. Although I can’t confirm this, I have to admit that there you can see plenty of them. The most magnificent is certainly San Michele in Foro – erected in the place of the former Roman forum. It’s also worth visiting Piazza dell ‘ Anfiteatro a square built in the place of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. Indeed, the construction of the square is shaped like an amphitheatre. Just a few centuries ago, the amphitheater could hold as much as ten thousand viewers who used to watched gladiator fights. The ruins of the amphitheatre are now about 9 ft below the surface of the square. Today, Piazza dell ‘ Anfiteatro is the main tourist point and meeting place for Lucca’s residents. Lucca is an ideal place for a day trip, in addition to interesting history and surprising spots, it also has a specific vibe of Italian towns. Narrow, cobbled streets, pastel buildings, laundry hung up on the city’s main square, and a slow, relaxed lifestyle are some of the many reasons why you should visit it.

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Brno and mysterious Olomouc – weekend break in Czech Republic

Gosia — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 14:11:03 +0000

I visited Brno and Olomouc in one day. I have a special sentiment for these cities because I visited them during my first solo trip 😉 My sightseeing plan was quite intensive. On Friday after work I got on Lux Express bus, which on Saturday morning brought me to Brno. In Brno I had a quick coffee and switched to a bus going to Olomouc. For 230 CZK, in an hour I found myself in this tourist-forgotten city. When I got there and saw the Olomouc train station, I thought time actually stopped there. However, when you go a little further from the station you can see a completely different reality. Walking down the empty streets, I was most surprised by the lack of tourists. However, after a while I realized that Olomouc was on the list of 50 most beautiful unknown cities in Europe according to Lonely Planet. Surprisingly, the second largest historic urban area, just after Prague is located in Olomouc. The old town of Olomouc is indeed quite extensive and consists of two squares – Upper and Lower. The most important monument of the city is richly decorated Holy Trinity Column, reaching over thirty meters. It was built in the first half of the 18th century as a thanksgiving for the recovery from the plague epidemic. The column is the largest sculpture in the Czech Republic and surprises with the amount of details Olomouc is also famous for the turtle figures, located right next to the column. They’re mysterious creatures because nobody knows the reason why they reside in the main square. Moreover, not only Prague can be proud of the famous astronomical clock – orloj. The clock in Olomouc has a unique, socialist character because instead of religious figurines it presents workers. So forget that at noon you will see angels’ figurines here, Olomouc orloj tells the time only shock workers! Olomouc is also a city of baroque fountains. We can see here: Hercules, Julius Caesar or Neptune one. There’s also no shortage of surprising murals. One of the most interesting can be seen on Denisova street. Presenting King Edward VII, who holds a selfie stick instead of a scepter. Not so far from the mural, you can visit Saint Wenceslas Cathedral, one of the highest sacred buildings in the Czech Republic. You can see the organs which were used by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, the biggest attraction of Olomouc is walking through the charming streets of the old town. Brno meanwhile, welcomed me with a relaxed, student atmosphere. The second largest city in the Czech Republic is an important scientific and cultural centre. It’s best to start visiting Brno by seeing the city from a slightly higher perspective. I recommend two hills. The first one – Petrov, where the famous St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral is located. There’s an interesting view point for the city. Don’t miss Denis’s Gardens, located right under the cathedral, it’s one of the most beautiful parks in the city. The second place is the hill where the Špilberk Castle is located. In the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there was one of the toughest prisons in the country where political prisoners were held. Currently you can admire here the panorama of Brno, with St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral in the background. It’s worth visiting Zelný trh – the Cabbage Market. In the morning, the square is filled with colorful stlls offering various vegetables, fruit, spices and local products. Right next to it is the Old Town Hall – Stará Radnica. Remember to go through the passage, there you can see the two Brno’s symbols – a dragon which resembles a crocodile and a wooden wheel. Being in Brno, it’s also worth to get lost in a maze of paved streets and secret passages. You can then see a lot of interesting details that create a unique character of the city. The best place to relax after intensive sighting is Freedom Square – the main meeting point. At the central point of the square, there’s a characteristic black clock that resembles… of course I mean a bullet, what else? 😉 The bullet is a symbol of the city’s defense against Swedes during the Thirty Years’ War. More interestingly, this clock strikes at 11 am. instead of noon. This is related to a legend, according to which, during several-month siege of Brno in the mid-17th century, Swedes decided that if they fail to conquer the city before noon, they will stop attacking. Having known this the city’s defenders, struck the bells of St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral at 11.00, thus interrupting the Swedish siege. Freedom Square is an excellent place to try famous dumplings and drink local beer – Starobrno.

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Switzerland, Basel – gate no. 2

Gosia — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:25:21 +0000

I like landing at the Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse – Fribourg. In fact, there’s nothing extraordinary in this airport, except one thing. The list of my favorite airports is mainly limited to those that allow me to “sleep well” 😉 I focus mainly on cleanliness, location of the seats and lack of armrests. However, Euroairport has stolen my heart for a completely different reason. It’s funny because actually, it doesn’t have to with the airport itself, but it’s more connected with the exit. At Euroairport, you have three options of exit to choose, so you can visit: France, Switzerland or Germany. This time I chose the gate no. 2- Switzerland. The airport is located in France, but only 4 kilemeters from Basel. You can get to the city centre by bus no. 50. In addition, when booking a hotel in Basel, you receive a voucher for free transport from and to the airport. Basel is the 3rd largest city in Switzerland, but it doesn’t look like a typical European metropolis. People seem to be more relaxed here, and life goes much slower. The main meeting place is the promenade by the Rhine river. The symbol of the city is Mittlere Brücke bridge, which is supposedly one of the oldest bridges on Rhine. Especially in the summer, this is the main meeting point of the local residents and tourists. Near the bridge is the Cathedral – Basel Munster. It can be recognised by its characteristic pink colour and two high towers which can be seen from all over the city. Altstad – the Old Town, is one of the best preserved in Europe. The oldest buildings which you can see here were built in the 14th century. Characteristic architecture, colorful townhouses, shutters and sills decorated with flowers create typical vibe of Swiss town. Narrow, winding, quite steep streets are an inseparable element of Basel. In the maze of the streets you can find a lot of small squares with numerous restaurants and cafes. There are also many interesting murals. Basel is a very elegant city. You can see that the Swiss take care of every detail here. I would never have thought that shop windows could be so hypnotizing. Basel surprises at every step. Can you imagine that this building is the City Hall? Basel is a great destinantion for the weekend or as the first point to visit while travelling across Switzerland. Basel is also a perfect place for a trip to the fabulous village of Colmar, located in France. I wrote more about Colmar here:

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Tbilisi, Georgia – all in one!

Gosia — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 20:09:00 +0000

Georgia’s strategic position on the border of two continents: Europe and Asia, between two cultures: Christianity and Islam has long been the cause of numerous wars. The Romans, the Arabs, the Persians, and also in the modern history Russians, all they tried to occupy Georgia permanently, but no one actually has managed to do so. The incredible determination of the Georgian nation, cultivating tradition, including the ancient Kartuli ena language, allowed the country to preserve national identity. The history of this country is shown in many aspects, starting with the stubborn character of the Georgians and ending with the various architecture. How is the capital of this country? It’s as twisted as its history. In Tbilisi you can see futuristic architecture, contrasting with the old townhouses, Muslim influences mix here with Christian, and in addition you can find some abandoned gems, which remember socialism. Bath in hot sulphur An interesting place is the Orbeliani Bath Complex located in the Abanotubani district. Characteristic architecture with a building decorated with blue tiles reminds the Arab times. In 736 the capital of Georgia was conquered by the Arabs and for almost 400 years it was the center of the so-called Emirate of Tbilisi. Thermal baths with hot springs are underground, just under the characteristic cupolas. They are the showcase of the city, which name is derived from the Georgian word “tbili” which means warm. Admission for 2 people costs around 20€. After the bath, it’s worth visiting the surrounding restaurants. Sip delicious Georgian wine and admire the interesting architecture of Abanotubani district. The Old Town – time travel A trip to the Old Town is a kind of time travel. While the tenement houses located in the area of the Orbeliani Baths look freshly renovated, the rest of the Old Town seems to be more authentic. The lack of tourists, old ramshackle buildings, decorated metal gates, wooden decorative elements and colorful courtyards create a unique atmosphere of this place. In some places, the buildings are in a really bad condition, but progressive work of construction can be seen at every corner. An additional attraction are small art galleries and bakeries located in the cellars, where you can also buy some tetri. My advice: to get to know this place better, you just need to get lost 😉 Fabulous time tower One of the main attractions of the Old Town is the fabulous clock tower. Located in the old part of the city, it’s actually the artistic vision of the theatre director – Rezo Gabriadze, built in 2010. Interesting design and characteristic tilt makes the impression that it’s about to fall. It’s worth to come here at full hour. Then you can see an angel hitting the bell in the upper window of the clock. On the other hand, a small puppet spectacle is oragised there at noon and at 7.00 pm. Tbilisi from perspective: In order to see Tbilisi from a slightly higher perspective, you should visit two spots. One of them is Mount Mtatsminda. At the top there’s an amusemenmt park . It’s worth going there at sunset or at night. You can get there by funicular. The second interesting viewpoint is Narikala Fortress, which is located on Solaki Hill. There’s a path to the hill, but on hot days it is better to use a cable car. During the ride you can admire the characteristic architecture of the Old Town. The hill is guarded by a huge statue of Kartlis Deda – called the Mother of Georgia. In the left hand, she holds a glass of wine for friends, while in the right a sword for enemies. Near the statue you can see the ruins of the former fortress. Sanitary pad with the Presidential Palace in the background The cable car to the Narikala Fortress runs from Rike Park. Rike Park surprises with a modern architecture that completely doesn’t match the old surroundings. It’s the artistic vision of the former President of Georgia – Michail Saakashvili. The characteristic spot is the Bridge of Peace, which due to its appearance is recognised by the inhabitants as a sanitary pad. The perfect contrast for the bulwark of the Kura river is the concert hall in the shape of a tube and a Presidential Palace located just behind it. Alternative Tbilisi: The place you need to see while being in Tbilisi is Fabrika located on Egnate Ninoshvili street 8. The former textile factory has been changed to a hostel and an iconic meeting place. In the courtyard of the factory there are cafes and bars and the walls of the building are decorated with many interesting murals. During the day you can come by to drink a delicious coffee and in the evening to party. Tea only in Althaus The best place for tea or coffee is Althaus. The interior is decorated in a vintage style, while a colourful porch offers a nice view of the city. This is the perfect place for breakfast or rest during sightseeing. Best beer in Warsaw! The iconic Warsaw bar is located in the center of the city on Freedom Square. It’s a popular hangout for residents and tourists. If you miss Polish food you can eat here steak tartare,herring or meat in jelly, as well as various types of beer, wine and vodka. Menu of course in Polish 😉 Transport to Tbilisi There are a lot of regular flights to Tbilisi. However, prices are quite high, especially in the high season. I took advantage of Wizzair offer from Katowice to Kutaisi. From Kutaisi airport you can get to the capital of Georgia using Gerogian Bus. The ticket costs 15 GEL and you can receive a 10 % discount when booking online. The journey takes about 4 hours and the bus stops in the centre of Tbilisi in Freedom Square. Car rental: If you like adrenaline, renting a car will certainly be an interesting option for you. Personally, I’ve had a lot of adventures with Georgian rental cars companies, but this is a topic for a separate post. Fortunately, during my last stay in Georgia, I was with a good driver. To be honest, I can do bungee jump or skydive, but driving a car in Tbilisi is like taking a ride on a rollercoaster without fasten belts. Urban transport Public Transport is the best option to move around Tbilisi. In order to use buses and metro you need to buy a Metromoney card. It costs around 2-3 GEL it is complemented by the amount in the counters or machines. Even a few people can use one card.

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Tavira, Algarve – simply Portugal!

Gosia — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:15:25 +0000

Tavira is the most beautiful town in Algarve region – such opinions can be read on most websites, blogs or forums dedicated to Portugal. Personally, I won’t be original regarding this matter, as I fully agree with this. Tavira is halfway from Faro to Spanish border. It’s only 30 kilometres away from Faro and Spain. Despite a good location, Tavira is visited by far less tourists in comparison to the famous resorts located in western Algarve. This enables the town to preserve its authentic local character. The city has been under the reign of Moors for several centuries, which is reflected in an interesting architecture. The central point is the Praca da Republica with numerous fountains, arcades and restaurants. In souvenir shops you can purchase local cork products. While restaurants serve delicious fish and seafood. Just outside the square is the historic Roman Bridge (Ponte Romana), which is the reconstruction of the old bridge erected by Romans. Characteristic point, seen nearly from every part of the city is the church – Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo. Next to the church there’re ruins of the old castle, which was built by Moors. The castle offers a beautiful view of the city and the river Gilão. From here you can see interesting buildings, which are characterised by steep roofs. The pyramid shape makes it easier to drain the water during heavy rains. In the courtyard of the castle you can rest in a beautiful garden listening to the performances of local artists. It’s worth looking into Tavira side streets, which are actually empty. Narrow passages and white houses with elaborately decorated balconies and famous azulejos adds to special atmosphere of Tavira. It is also worth taking a look at the staircases, which shows that the Portuguese passion for various details isn’t limited to the facades of the buildings. Some of the buildings are very damaged or even abandoned, but such is Tavira’s charm. They highlight the nature of this town, which is open to tourists but remains authentic. Find out more about marvellous Portugal here:

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Montenegro – small is beautiful!

Gosia — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 16:16:07 +0000

I’ve been thinking about trip to Montenegro for a long time. Actually, the first guide I bought was just about this country. It was during my studies, when I dreamed of travelling, but my finances limited me to the see the world only from the perspective of tourist guides. After studies, directions of my trips depended mostly on promotional air fares. Finally when the opportunity arouse, 35€ for return ticket, it didn’t take me long to buy it. The main attraction of Montenegro is the stunning Gulf of Kotor, also known as Kotor Boka, famous for amazing landscapes and the medieval towns. Herceg Novi I started my journey from little town – Herceg Novi, located in the north, close to the border with Croatia. It was Sunday, late afternoon when I finally got to the town after an exhausting sightseeing in Dubrovnik. My trip coincided with Easter in Poland, while the Orthodox church was celebrating Palm Sunday. Actually, I hadn’t planned additional “attractions” like participation in church ceremonies. Meanwhile, in Herceg Novi, I was “welcomed” with richly laid tables with local delicacies and a festive ceremony including colourful procession. Better first day in Montenegro I couldn’t have imagined. Herceg Novi is a small, cosy town. The main tourist attractions are two fortresses: Kani Kula – located high above the city and Forte Mare – which is close to the promenade. The promenade is actually the main meeting place and an ideal spot for an evening walk. It is also worth visiting historical old town and simply get lost in narrow streets. A little further from the centre you can visit the historic Savina Monastery. This is one of the most valuable sacral places in Montenegro. Perast Driving south towards Kotor is worth visiting the picturesque town of Perast. There you can see churches, houses and palaces in the time when Montenegro was under Venetian rules. However, the greatest attraction is a cruise to the Our Lady on the Rocks island , where you can visit historic church. It is the only island on the Adriatic that has been artificially created. Kotor surroundings The next point of the trip is Kotor – the most beautiful town in Montenegro, I’ll write about this town soon. Kotor surroundings are as much interesting as the town itself. While being here, visiting National Park of Lovćen is a must. The main attraction is the Niegosz Mausoleum, dedicated to the former ruler of Montenegro. It’s located at the top of the mountain called Jezerski Vrh, which guarantees an amazing view of the surroundings. The narrow, winding road to the top is an attraction itself, it leads through about 20-30 sharp turns. As you drive up to the height of 1657 metres, you can enjoy amazing views of the surrounding cities, the bay and the Vrmac Peninsula. There’s a small free parking on the spot. But it’s not over. To get to the top you have to go up 461 stairs. The mausoleum is located just outside the long tunnel which looks like a concrete bunker. When you go to this place, it is worth taking something to cover, because of the high altitude there can be quite chilly. Actually, during my trip, at the end of April, was a bit snowy. However, in Lovćen Park you can find much more attractions. Don’t go back from mausoleum to Kotor the same way or you’ll miss the further part of one of the most beautiful mountain routes in Europe. Instead take the road in the direction of Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro. In Centije you can visit the historic Orthodox men’s monastery. Budva Next stop Budva – Montenegro’s most popular resort. Unlike Kotor, Budva offers excellent sunbathing conditions and variety of catering and entertainment options. Personally, the city didn’t impress me, but its old town is certainly worth taking a look. The characteristic point of the old town is the Citadel, which consists of old city’s fortifications. The Citadel offers a beautiful view of the city and port, as well as the nearby island of Sveti Nikola. It’s commonly called Hawaii by local residents because of the restaurant “Havaj”, which is located on it. Boats from nearby port regularly operate to the island. Right next to the citadel is the church of St. John The Baptist – the largest sacral building in the city. Sveti Stefan Less than 10 km from Budva is another tourist attraction – Sveti Stefan. This small rocky peninsula has become the most recognisable place in Montenegro. I don’t think there’s a person who hasn’t seen this spot in many photos of Montenegro. Unfortunately, it isn’t open to explore, as it’s available only for the guests of exclusive hotels. However, Sveti Stefan attracts many tourists due to the marvellous surroundings and free beach. Petrovac na Moru Petrovac na Moru is an ideal place for people who want to rest from the hustle of typical tourist resorts. However, this small, cosy town has much more to offer. In addition to the colourful promenade and sandy beach, it’s surrounded by high cliffs and ruins of the former fortress. Skadar Lake In Montenegro you can also visit impressive Skadar Lake. It ‘s the largest lake in the Balkans, partially located in Albania. A large part of the lake is the National Park, which has been established to protect a large number of birds, including pelicans. Taking into account the area, Montenegro is very small country. However, it’s surprising how many different places you can visit on just 14 thousand square meters. Montenegro has so much to offer, that it’s worth dedicating a little more time to visit it.

Artykuł Montenegro – small is beautiful! pochodzi z serwisu .