From private yachts to €35 carbonara, live like luxury for a week in one of Europe's best kept secrets ... Tivat, Montenegro.
A country prided for it's surreal landscapes and breath-taking views, there's something for everyone, but one spot that really caught our eye was Tivat. A recently 'renovated' if you will, corner of the country filled with luxury boats, leather wallets and designer boutiques that certainly don't come with the same price tag my Louie Vuitton from Türkiye did! Home to Porto, a smaller marina situated just south of Kotor Bay, the only way I can describe Tivat is like a refreshing experience of 'how the other half live'.
We stumbled upon hotel Palma a few months back when we were browsing for our next summer holiday, after aimlessly scrolling Jet2 and EasyJet for a day and a half, I had to have a little look at this over budget hotel I'd bypassed so many times, and well ... can you call it love at first site if it's a hotel on the receiving end? With intentions of booking a 5 nights all inc trip to Lanzarote, it's fair to say our experience couldn't have been any more unexpected, and we couldn't be any more thankful for it.
Our adventure started with a 2am trip to Stansted and a flight to Dubrovnik airport. Initially we were a little apprehensive about landing in Croatia and crossing the boarder, but looking back I am so happy we did! The views from start to finish were incredible and the ferry trip in-between was an experience in itself.
New routes direct to Tivat airport from select UK airports have recently been added!
I think it's fair to assume everybody prays for a free upgrade as they approach the check-in desk, and well, even though they didn't suggest we had been upgraded, we definitely hadn't paid for a partial sea view with balcony room, but that's what we were given! Zero complaints ... we'd hit the jackpot with this hotel already! The room was spacious, with an arched window leading through to the balcony, the original selling point for me. There wasn't too much storage space, 7 hangers to be precise, but lucky for me I always live out of my suitcase on a trip so it didn't make too much difference. The bathroom was modern, with a double shower and a large mirror, perfect. We had a quick browse of the room service menu and head straight out for the obligatory 'working out where's where walk'.
Over the course of the week we spent days floating around the Adriatic Sea and evenings dining like royalty, a trip nothing like one I've ever experienced before. I have so much to say about Montenegro, the culture, the food and the people, but I don't want to waffle too much! So, for my holiday highlights keep on reading, but for my recommendations on how to make the most out of your trip, scroll down ...
My Trip Highlights ...
Whilst we were in Tivat, I celebrated my twenty-second birthday, and it was truly one to remember! I woke after a much needed lay in to a room filled with balloons and opened my first present, a surprise log cabin weekend in September! Of course by this point the hotel breakfast had been and gone so it was the perfect opportunity to try Ma Cherie, a brunch spot that had caught my eye the day we arrived. Avocado and cream cheese heaven, for me the perfect birthday brunch, for Ryan ... a nightmare.
The rest of the day was spent basking in the 36 degree heat on our hotels private beach and sipping Piña coladas till the sun sank behind the mountains. As the locals began heading to the ocean for an evening swim, it was our queue to head back to the room to get ready on the balcony with a side of Luke Combs on full blast. For dinner, we head to 'One Restaurant' for one of the 'fanciest' menus I've chosen from. Starting with a shrimp soup (ish) followed by a fillet steak cooked to absolute perfection, topped with a cream of mushroom sauce and of course, a side of chips (which were an off-menu treat!)
The next day was spent exploring Kotor, a city full of life and perfect for solo travellers. Though the day started a little rocky with roadworks turning a 15 minute taxi into a 45 minute journey plus 20 minutes by foot, every minute in Kotor was truly something special. With endless restaurants, bars, castle walks, temple ruins and a long spread beach at the foot of mountains, you couldn't ask for a better stop, which is why it's a must on our next cruise itinerary. We enjoyed lunch at Pizzeria Sara, before strolling around town and heading to the beach for a quick afternoon nap in the sun. Timed perfectly ... we spent the afternoon walking the castle ruin walls with incredible views overlooking the city. Though if you do get the chance to do the walk, I would highly recommend NOT wearing a pair of Zara sliders.
& last but not least ...
It might sound simple, but sometimes the simple afternoons are the best, so for me, the last afternoon/ night was one of my favs. We sat on the beach with a tube of BBQ pringles and spent hours running in and out of the ocean until the sky turned golden. People watching, taking in the last of the sun, and ultimately making the most of our last few hours in such a beautiful country. I had a quick shower and through on the last of my holiday clothes, with the perfect holiday kissed skin we head into town for a few drinks and dinner. Although we had every intention of one final plate of perfectly cooked steak, we ended up grabbing a slice of pizza on the way back to the hotel and spending the rest of the night playing UNO at the hotel bar with a bowl of chips.
Recommendations!
By now, after years of city breaks, summer sun and a whole lot of recommendations, I think it's clear food plays a big part in my travels, so, here are my top places for spending your evenings in Tivat.
Divino Restaurant
On the day we arrived we couldn't wait to eat at Divino Restaurant because the setting was something from a movie. Though we visited for food, I would prompt a visit for a cheeseboard and wine as opposed to a full meal.
Roberto's Restaurant
Take a seat and soak in who's around you, yachts owners to the left and black tie couples to the right, a testament to affordable luxury in the world of fine dining. A bottle of red and the creamiest carbonara left us beyond content as we sat taking in the atmosphere perfect for date night. No glass half empty or plate sat empty, the staff are the icing on the cake at this unbeatable restaurant.
One Restaurant
I have to go as far as to say this was the nicest steak to ever touch my lips, perfectly red, coated in a creamy mushroom sauce and accompanied with chunky chips, divine. We ate here on a whim based on the fact we'd been walking in circles for an hour trying to decide where to go, so to whatever made us stop and double take One Restaurant, thankyou!
Cafe Rivas | Propela Cafe & Bar
As you stroll towards Porto you'll pass a row of bars on your left, the perfect start to an evening in Tivat. After thoroughly testing the menu at each place, I can happily recommend paying a visit to each of them. Offering a more casual 'vibe' in comparison to may places in the area, you'll find TV's in each, ready for the footy and the perfect seats to people watch as the sun goes down.
Buddha Beach Bar
As beautiful as Tivat is to stay, there is no beaches within close distance unless your hotel offers a private man-made beach, which is why Porto's Buddha Bar is the perfect stop to soak in the sun, enjoy poolside cocktails and indulge in a choice of cuisines, including Japanese!
A week of good food and a long list of cocktails later, I could recommend you somewhere for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a week, so if you surreal landscapes, crystal waters and indulgent cuisine is on your travel list drop me a message and I'd love to help plan your stay!
Now, I always like to round off my blog posts on a high, but I do want to mention the Whole Boka Bay cruise we went on ... We booked our tickets via TripAdvisor the day we arrived and were looking forward to the excursion for the majority of our stay, but unfortunately this boat cruise did not rank against others we have experiences across Europe. It is a nine hour trip, starting with Kotor, then headed to Our Lady of the Rocks & blue water cave. We felt the trip wasn't planned for the amount of people aboard which let the day down. I would suggest hiring a private speedboat for a tour, the boats take up to six and evenly split is a similar cost to Boka Bay.
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