Kotor, Montenegro – A Beautiful Sail-in « Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour

One learns on a cruise that all the cruising is done at night so the passengers can enjoy the day in port. Very true – except for the sail-in to Kotor. Described in some literature as the most beautiful sail into a port – AND DO NOT MISS IT!!

So – when you sail during the day, the cruise line thinks up all kinds of ways to entertain its guests since they are truly captive;-) Today was the opportunity for the Kate & Leo shot from Titanic on the bow of the ship. The only problem is that no one was 50 yards off the front of the ship to take the ‘real’ shot – so here is what you get – –

A moment on the ship’s bow.

On a very windy, blustery day the Wind Surf made its way through the fjord like bay and the narrow Verge Strait. There was beautiful scenery at every turn of the two hour trip into Kotor.

Lots of churches surrounded by lots of green.

Even out on islands.

Even a fish farm.

And finally the dock at the walled city of Kotor. Note the church at the upper center of the photo..more later.

Kotor, like the rest of the region, came under the control of various foreign powers through 2,000 years – the Ilyrians, Romans, Serbs, Venetians, Russians, Napoleonic soldiers, Austrians, Tito’s Yugoslavia and finally Montenegrins! It avoided destruction by warfare, but was damaged by two earthquakes (in 1667 and 1979). It was the town’s fortifications that kept it safe from warfare – and they begin along the waterfront then climb up the sheer cliff face behind the town. The “Great Wall of Kotor” is nearly three miles long and sits on some extremely inaccessible terrain – we know because a climb up a portion was on the day’s activity list! It was built over a millennium (9th-19th centuries) with a thickness from 6 to 50 feet and 65 feet tall at its tallest part.

A portion of the wall and the moat around the walled city.

One can climb to the top old fortress by tackling the 1,355 steps, gaining more than 700′ in elevation. OR – climb to the halfway mark to the Church of Our Lady of Health. One needs good health to get even this far – but, well worth it for the best views of Kotor – –

Thank goodness there were some steps as the cobblestone is well worn, slippery and very uneven!

Incredible views – even of the Wind Surf – from in front of the church.

Proof we made it;-)

Back down into the old town, it is worth a wander and perhaps a gelato.

Another day another tour – just outside Kotor, as the ship overnighted here. Off to a very little, but charming village – Tici, and the home of the Moric family. The home and olive business have been in the family for over 200 years and eight generations. Not only did we learn the art of making olive oil, we were treated to ‘treats’ immediately upon stepping off the bus. First a welcome with donuts to dip in honey (made by the family) and their specially made brandy! Then a lesson in olive oil making – from 200 years ago to today – along with oil tasting. And finally a delightful ‘lunch’ with prosciutto, cheeses, eggs, bread, olives (of course), tomatoes and wine!! All made by the hosts. Yes – even the eggs, as the chickens on the grounds laid the eggs that were hardboiled – and delicious;-)