Exclusive Budva and Kotor

Departing from the port of Bar, you will enjoy a peaceful drive north and through the impressive landscapes of the valley of Grbalj. Upon reaching the Adriatic coast you will drive to the town of Budva. You will drive through the seaside areas of Becici and Rafailovici, best known for their resorts and small boat marinas. You will also be able to view Sveti Stefan, once a 15th-century fortified town on an island, that was acquired by the Yugoslav government and turned into a hotel during the Tito regime. Today it is an exclusive luxury resort. After the photo stop above this island, you will visit the oldest settlement on our coast, 2,500 year old Budva.

Departing your transportation, you will take a short walk to the old town of Budva, which was first mentioned in the old Greek legend of the grandson of Zeus Cadmus and his wife Harmonia. After entering the city walls, you will walk through the narrow streets and small squares of a fortified medieval town, mostly influenced by the ancient republic of Venice.

The layers of the numerous civilizations that have occupied this area show an interesting view of the history of Budva: Romans, Byzantines, Slaves, etc. The most important buildings and constructions in the Old Town are the churches of St. John, Holy Trinity, Holy Mary in Punta, St. Sava, the citadel fortress, and the town walls. On the way back, you'll have an opportunity to peruse some local leather goods as you make a 30-minute stop in a shopping center. Feel free to re-hydrate with some refreshments.

Heading south and inland, you will depart your transportation and take a stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kotor. The town was first mentioned in 168 BC, and was settled during Ancient Roman times when it was known as Acruvium. It has been fortified since the early Middle Ages. The city became part of the Venetian Republic in 1420 and except for two periods of Ottoman rule, it remained under Venice until 1797. It is these four centuries of Venetian domination that have given the city the typical Venetian architecture.

It served as a naval base during World War I and luckily avoided any serious damage from either World War. Kotor has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is home to several sights of interest, including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (1166), and the ancient walls which stretch for 3 miles on the steep hillside directly above the city.

Your tour will end with a drive back to the cruise ship pier in Bar, where you will be returned to your waiting cruise ship.