MONTENEGRO - Croatia and Slovenia - page 576

spent a great day learning about this area from Stefan Đ ukanovi ć , a young, energetic,
knowledgeable guide who speaks good English and has an infectious enthusiasm for
his homeland. Hiring Stefan is a great value. The catch is that he can't come and
get you in Dubrovnik, so it works best if you drive yourself to Montenegro and
pick him up when you get there. Stefan is also an excellent choice if you're arriving
in Kotor by cruise ship (guiding only: €60/half-day, €80/day, extra for driver if go-
ing outside of Kotor; sample shore excursions: half-day tour of Kotor and Perast,
including driving-€200, full-day drive around Montenegro including Kotor/Njeguši/
Cetinje/Budva Rivera-€300, these prices for up to 6 people; mobile [phone] or
069-369-994, www.miroandsons.com , [e-mail] ) .
The Bay of Kotor
With dramatic cliffs rising out of the glimmering Adriatic, ancient towns packed with his-
toryandthrillingvistas,anundevelopedruggednessunlikeanythinginCroatia,andatwisty
road to tie it all together, the Bay of Kotor represents the best of Montenegro. To top it off,
it's easy to reach by car from Dubrovnik.
Self-Guided Driving Tour
▲▲▲ Bay of Kotor Day Trip (from Dubrovnik)
The Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska—literally the “Mouth of Kotor”; sometimes called
“Boka Bay”) is Montenegro's most enjoyable and convenient attraction for those based in
Dubrovnik. This self-guided tour narrates the drive from the Croatian border to the town of
Kotor, in the Bay of Kotor's deepest corner.
The Montenegrin border is about 30-45 minutes south of Dubrovnik (don't forget your
passport). Simply follow the main coastal road south (signs to Ć ilipi ), past Cavtat and the
airport.
From Dubrovnik to the Border
As you leave Dubrovnik, the jagged cliffs on your left eventually give way to a pastoral
countryside called Konavle (literally “canal,” recalling how the Romans built aqueducts
through this area to supply their settlement at today's Cavtat). This farming re-
gion—effectivelyDubrovnik'shinterland—wasbadlydamagedduringtherecentwar,when
the Yugoslav People's Army invaded from the south, forcing villagers to flee to safety in
Dubrovnik. But today it's bouncing back, and is home to many appealing konoba s (taverns)
serving traditional local food.