Bring your Hat - DUBROVNIK/MONTENEGRO ITINERARY

Dubrovnic Hotel: https://www.mythahotels.com/villadubrovnik/en/

I have 3 days planned here. Planned activities are:

1) SUNSET SEA KAYAKING & WINE TASTING TOUR DUBROVNIK By: X - Adventure Sea Kayaking $40 pp Tour at the Adriatic Sea starts beneath the ancient fort St. Lawrence in the bay called Pile, next to the restaurant Orhan. you will be ready to experience all the hidden magic of our beautiful coast together with the mysterious island of Lokrum. As it is really important to us to show you almost everything available to see, on a sunset tour we will first take you to the cave beach Betina, where we are going to have a break for some snack (fruit or sandwiches), and later, some free time for swimming & snorkeling. If you feel brave, maybe some cliff jumping for you This cave is reachable only from the seaside so you will be able to relax and enjoy the underwater world of the Adriatic Sea in your privacy and peace. After spending some time in Betina cave we are going to continue kayaking across the channel to the island of Lokrum. While paddling, you will be having numerous stops to rest a bit, to drink some water, to take amazing pictures from your kayak of the mystical Lokrum caves and, the best part of the tour, taking pictures of the sunset over Dubrovnik and the sea. More than half a way we will be paddling towards the sunset, enjoying its special moments…several world magazines included the Dubrovnik sunset among the 10 most beautiful sunsets in the world. After 7,5 km of paddling, you will be drinking some fine wine in a romantic Pile bay while chatting with your hosts and sunset tour guests… Let’s do it! Important: we offer exclusively fine wines from “Matuško winery”

2) Mt Srd Cable Car Ride plus Old Town and City Walls Walking Tour By: EuroAdria Private Day Tours $78 pp Mt. Srđ Cable Car Ride (1 Hour): Meet your guide near Pile Gate and then walk over to the cable car station, just a few minutes walk from there. Hop into the comfortable cable car for the ride up steep Mt. Srđ. Be sure to stand at the back of the car for an eye-popping view of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, or Stari Grad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. At the top of the mountain, take some time to enjoy the view of the blue Adriatic Sea. They say that on a clear day, you can see 37 miles (67 km) away. Take 20 minutes to be awestruck by the views and then head down to the Old Town again for the next portion of the tour. Dubrovnik Old Town and City Walls Tour (3.5 hours): At Pile Square, the area in front of Pile Gate, one of three ways to enter the Old Town through the thick walls, start the walking tour. The first stop is at Onofrio’s Fountain, a circular domed structure that, for centuries, has been the source of Old Town’s drinking water. Then move on to the Franciscan Monastery, which boasts a gorgeous Gothic courtyard and one of the oldest working pharmacies in Europe. Continue walking down the limestone-clad Stradun, one of the widest and straightest streets in Old Town, until you reach the Renaissance-era Sponza Palace, which is today the home of the state archives. Other highlights you’ll hit along the way include the city’s bell tower, the Church of St. Blaise, dedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and the opulent Rector’s Palace. Walk a bit further on to explore the Cathedral of the Assumption, a Baroque and Mannerist-style church that was rebuilt after a fire in the 18th century. Finally, head over to an entryway up onto the walls with your guide, hearing about the history of these impressive fortifications. As you strol along the walls, note the gorgeous views of the Adriatic, as well as the towers at each corner of the wall, including Minčeta Tower, St John’s Fortress and Fort Bokar. *Charcuterie and wine at Malvasija wine bar in Old Town Malvasia.com "Without bread and wine, love goes hungry"

3) Elaphite Islands Full-Day Karaka Cruise from Dubrovnik By: Cruises With Karaka $75 pp Your adventure begins at 9am, when your driver will collect you from your centrally-located hotel and take you to Dubrovnik Port. Board the spacious, air-conditioned boat and enjoy a sail towards Koločep, a pine tree-studded island with a picturesque fishing village along the bay. After some free time for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing, the boat will continue its journey to the island of Šipan. Here you will visit the town of Suđurađ, with its charming fishing port, beautiful villas, Baroque churches, and hills speckled with olive trees. Near the main port stand a 16th-century Renaissance mansion belonging to the Skočibuha family, and the centuries-old defence tower nearby once served as protection from pirate attacks. A delicious Dalmatian buffet lunch will also be served onboard, featuring local cheese and prosciutto, grilled chicken and fish, pasta, various salads, and seasonal fruit. The last stop of the day is Lopud Island, home to many famous local captains and sailors. Marvel at the white-stone Franciscan monastery that lies right along the water. and take a stroll through the lush Gjorgic-Mayneri Park. If you would prefer to just relax, the white-sand beaches of Lopund Bay are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Or, if you want a break from the sun, enjoy a cold drink at the boat's onboard bar. After returning to Dubrovnik Port, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

*The following day we will be driving south to Montenegro, but we are stopping in Herceg-Novi where my grandfather was born for lunch at http://www.catovica-mlini.com/en/ and wine tasting at the Entrance to the bay of Kotor, by the Savina Monestery and the 18th century sun soaked Savina Vineyard @Castel Savina d.o.o. Branka Copica, 7d, Herceg Novi, CG http://castelsavina.me * My maiden name is Herceg just in case you guys didn’t know. Montenegro Hotels on the Boka Bay- https://www.regenthotels.com/regent-portomontenegro/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm_OkgpqL3gIVjYjICh0J8QEKEAAYASAAEgKQA_D_BwE

I have 3 days planned here. Planned activities are:

1) Speed boat Boka Bay tour By: Mont Travelers Tours & Transfers $132 pp This half-day tour offers you the pleasure of Boka Bay and the medieval old town of Kotor. Mamula island - Blue Cave - Dobrec beach - Submarine bases - Our Lady of the Roks - Perast town - Kotor old town will leave you breathless. Price includes: Professional captain, Licensed English speaking guide, Cold water for drinking, Life jackets, Entrance fees and maps for the old town of Kotor

- Boats have shower, music, diving mask and sun deck on the bow.

Note: All of our tours are private tailor-made tours. All written tours are just our proposal, so please feel free to create your own tour. We will be happy to assist you.

2) Bike Rental: Self-guided Cycling Tour of the Bay of Kotor By: Feel Montenegro Private Day Tours $45 pp Explore the Bay of Kotor independently on a self-guided cycling tour. Armed with tips and maps of the area from an instructor, take your bike around the bay’s shoreline. Choose to ride to Muo, Prcanj, Our Lady's Temple of Prcanj, Perast, and Dobrota. Take a short ferry ride on the bay. Ride at a pace that suits you.

3) Ostrog monastery - Niagara waterfalls tour from Podgorica Tour code: 45486P21 Location: Podgorica, Montenegro Duration: 6 hours (approx.) $47 pp https://www.partner.viator.com/en/13470/tours/Podgorica/Ostrog-monastery-Niagara-waterfalls-tour-from-Podgorica/d26108-45486P21?SUBPUID= We start this tour by visiting the most famous waterfalls near the capital, Niagara waterfalls. The place is a beautiful oasis of peace and rests for the eyes and mind for every visitor.

On the way to the waterfalls, you will be able to see the Cijevna River Canyon which was the border belt between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire until 1912. These years, along with the canyon, is one of the most beautiful vineyards in Europe. There is also a restaurant “Niagara” in which you can enjoy traditional food and drink products and relax on the terrace on the banks of the Cijevna River, near the waterfall.

After visiting the waterfall, the road leads us to the Ostrog Monastery. Monasteries have always been important pilgrimage sites, their relics attracted people from all over the world. The monastery is consist of two parts – Lower monastery (Donji Manastir) and Upper monastery (Gornji manastir)

The Lower monastery is devoted to the Ascension of Holy mother of God, while the Upper one is devoted to the Cross of Honour.

The upper monastery is located on 900m above the sea level and it rests on a high rock, with a part of it hidden in the natural rock cavity. It consists of two cave-churches, and they represent the monumental value of spiritual culture. In the Upper Monastery, all believers are provided with a bottle of holy water and oil.

After visiting Ostrog monastery as a bonus of the tour, on the way back to Podgorica, we will visit the monastery Zdrebaonik.

Beaches to visit voted in the top 10 in the world are here:

Sveti Stefan, Montenegro- A playground for celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Kirk Douglas in the 1960s… Today the beach is off-limits to anyone not staying at the Aman Resort, but is still one of the most photographed spots in Montenegro

Nugal Baech, Croatia- you’ll need to hike down a cliff and hike through a Pine Forest for about 40 minutes before you reach the pristine beach on Croatia’s Makarska Riviera. A spectacular view from the bottom, the beach is flanked dramatically by steep cliffs on either side. The cool crystal water makes it well worth the trek. Pro tip. Come after a heavy rainfall and you’ll be able to spot a 30 foot waterfall cascading down the northern most cliff face.

Zlatni Rat, Brac, Croatia- This beach stands out for it striking and unusual shape which changes depending on the current. It looks like a golden sand, but it’s shoreline is made up of smooth tiny pebbles and stretches out for a half a mile on either side of the tip. It’s not just a place to lounge it is also a popular spot for windsurfing jet skiing and stand up paddle boarding.

Dinner options:

Orhan located at the base of the Pile after the kayak tour Game of Thrones set

Knoba Veranda just outside of old town. Voted best homemade fare

Gatsby noted as the “best meal of our lives” is known for its roaring 20’s style, steak and wine selections.

Traditional cooking class in the Countryside by Dubrovnik Food Story located in Dalmatia a historical region in Dubrovnik 

Lunch options: Tavulin Wine and art bar in Old Town that makes their own wine, Lajk is another gem in Old Town that is family owned and Konoba Bonaca just outside of Old Town.

Breakfast options:

Gradska Kavana Arsenal established in 1895 is close to Sponza Palace on Luza Square and the Rector’s Palace