Countryside real estate in Montenegro: a new destination for eco-tourism with sea, history and festivals.

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Byron called it "the most beautiful meeting between land and sea." Today, this piece of Southern Europe and the Balkans, small but unique in its diversity, washed by the Adriatic (an area of about 14 thousand square kilometers), is becoming, according to the Times, a new Azure Riviera - an elite tourist destination with a beautiful sea and a fascinating history.

Montenegro, the first ecological state in the world, is, as its constitution declares, striking for its nature and greenery. Medieval fortresses, mountains sloping down to the sea, forests, Austro-Hungarian fortresses and miles of beaches that were already attractive to the jet set of the time in the 60s: Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Sidney Poitier, Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Taylor were regular guests.

But in the 80s, after the death of President Tito, Yugoslavia (which included Montenegro) went through a series of internal conflicts that led to war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 90s, the country went through dark years and isolation. The season of violence and international intervention only ended in 2006, when the Republic of Montenegro found peace and won independence.

But it is in the last decade, and now after the pandemic, that Montenegro begins to shine again with traditional events, as well as the opening of designer bars and cafes, premium restaurants, beauty salons, casinos and exclusive hotels that already have full bookings for this summer. Almost complete. This is helped by a vibrant calendar of events that have been confirmed after months of sanitary restrictions. It all starts on July 10 (until 20) with the international festival "Days of Music" in Herceg Novi, which follows the trends of world classical festivals and important anniversaries, inviting artists from all continents to perform on the stages of Herceg Novi. And on July 14, the day of the holiday, which also falls on the National Day of Montenegro, begins the event "Kotor Art", one of the most significant in the country and the region, which in summer gathers a huge number of international artists with more than 200 events (the name of the 2021 program is Planet Boka) in the market in front of the Cathedral of St. Tripun in Kotor. Finally, on July 22, the stage, or should I say sea, will host Fasinada, a unique event related to the origin of the island of Nasha Dama della Rokkija, one of the places to visit in Montenegro. It is said that the island was created after the Mortešići brothers from Perast (July 22, 1452) found an icon of Our Lady with the baby Jesus in their arms on a rock. In the 15th century a small church was built here, insufficient for the number of parishioners, at which point it was decided to start dumping rocks around the cliff to create a more spacious island. This idea was successfully implemented, using old sailing ships and gradually filling them with stones, which were dumped as needed: in time, an artificial island of 3,000 square meters "emerged", on which a church was built in 1630 with the characteristic octagonal dome created later. Since 1938, every year to celebrate the island's origins, a parade of decorated and colorful boats full of rocks has been held on July 22 at sunset on the east side of Perast, featuring only men singing boogeyman-style tunes. A little earlier, boats form a circle and dump stones into the sea, symbolizing the origin of the island as well as its fortification.

It's worth seeing.

A remarkable and curious opportunity to decide to travel to this new yet chic and authentic riviera across from Italy. Along its 293-kilometer coastline there are 117 beaches (the longest is Velika beach, in Ulcinj, 13 kilometers), wonderful bays and advanced ports, where high-class yachting tourism is developed, which is profitable here due to the fact that Montenegro, not being a member of the European Union (although it uses Euro as currency), has favorable legislation. For the yachting world and beyond. Among the recommended ports and marinas for both sea travelers and yachts, Portonovi Marina, at the entrance to the Boku Kotor Bay, is considered one of the best tourist harbors in the Mediterranean.

We are located in the beautiful bay of Kotor (also called Kattaro), a huge Adriatic basin surrounded by cliffs a thousand meters high and considered the largest natural harbor in southern Europe. It is no coincidence that the bay of Kotor/Boka (which is the southernmost part of the historical region of Dalmatia) with its rare panorama has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The bay has been inhabited since ancient times. Its well-preserved medieval towns of Kotor, Risan, Tivat, Perast, Prcan and Herceg Novi, together with their natural environment, are major tourist attractions.

In this ancient yet functional environment was born One&Only Portonovi, not only unique in its name but also the first in Europe, opened last May, which in itself is worth a visit and makes Montenegro even more attractive. Among the offerings of this new charm are rooms with their own cellars (holding 260 stamps), rooms with all fireplaces reminiscent of the traditional hearths in every Montenegrin home, a private sandy beach, areas and activities dedicated to children and teens (KidsOnly and One Trib), a tennis club, led by Serbian champion Janko Tipsarevic, racing, yoga classes in front of the bay and a 4,000 square meter spa area by Chenot (whose pioneering approach to well-being combines the latest scientific advances with the best principles of traditional Chinese medicine) are just a few of the offerings of this chic new place.

The gastronomy deserves special attention. Here, star chef Giorgio Locatelli, a favorite Masterchef judge who opened his first restaurant in the region, Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli, awaits guests, honoring the culinary traditions of Southern Italy with an array of seasonal vegetables and fresh local fish. Including the "crudista" version in the Raw Bar area. You can also enjoy one of the best modern Japanese cuisines against the backdrop of unforgettable sunsets and enjoy live DJ sets by international artists (at the Tapasake Club). While Montenegrin cuisine and the richness of local raw materials are the protagonists of the live stations at La Veranda restaurant.

Open all year round, you can visit here at any time of the year, because Montenegro is one of those rare places where you can swim in the sea in the morning and ski in the afternoon (with an altitude of 2500 meters Bobotov Kuk in Durmitor National Park is the highest peak), so a trip here is worth doing after summer and at any time of the year. And not just sea or snow: you can take a trip among ibis and pelicans on the waters of Lake Shkoder, the largest lake in the Balkans, or choose a rafting adventure on the Tara River, which flows in the canyon of the same name, the second deepest after the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Italy Portonovi is easily accessible by car from Dubrovnik (1 hour), Tivat (50 minutes) and Podgorica (2 and a half hours) airports. Especially in summer time there are direct low-cost flights from Rome and Milan every day.