Montenegro: on your own in autumn
I specifically decided to write a review about a trip to Montenegro: the notes of travelers helped me personally to orient myself correctly and not spoil my vacation. Perhaps my story will serve someone well.
Before a trip to Montenegro, I vacationed in Croatia a couple of years ago, I was passing through Montenegro and the country did not impress me. Closer acquaintance changed the opinion about the resort.
First of all, Montenegro is convenient for those who do not want to bother with a visa and are easy-going. In this case, it is good to use a charter, but by the fall, flight prices increase: there are fewer planes. I rested in the fall, in September (from 9 to 16). Velvet season, but as for me, it's still hot, the sun bakes, it was +30 and 26 degrees sea. There are many fruits, but compared to prices in Ukraine, it is more expensive. Moreover, peaches, pears and grapes are mostly imported from Turkey, Spain, etc. , which means they are not very tasty. But September is the season of figs (fig), here it is wonderful both in taste and price.
The main issue is transport and housing. Back in Kyiv, via the Internet, I agreed on a transfer: 25 euros from Tivat airport to Becici. Of course, I read stories about how to call a taxi, but when you arrive, you want to quickly get to the place of rest, especially when you are tired of the flight. Therefore, the difference of 5 euros (a taxi costs 20 if you call it, and not take it at the airport) is not very important. I did not dare to look for public transport, although it was not far: 30 minutes from the airport. Transport is better to negotiate in advance, local taxi drivers, like ours, "cheat". I got back in a taxi, and before approaching the airport I found out that from Becici to Tivat, tariff number 2 is 1.5 euros per kilometer, and not 1 euro, as indicated. So the whole trip cost me almost 40 euros. which is almost twice the price of the return. Therefore, a taxi should be called from the hotel or apartment where you live and immediately specify the price.
As for housing. I must say right away that I went alone, I am an adult and independent girl, I travel a lot, but my experience here suits people like me. Couples with children and suitcases, it is better not to be guided by my story. My friend, who has been to Montenegro many times, recommended renting accommodation right on the spot, without booking in advance. Of course there are risks, but there are also benefits. And it's not about the price, the price is almost the same as on the booking sites. Another thing is that on the spot you look at what suits you personally. Becici is a mountainous area, and to many apartments you have to stomp uphill, 1 km or even more. In the heat, this is not comfortable, and if there are health problems, then it is generally difficult. Again, from advertising you can’t find out where the hotel is located, what kind of view from the balcony. Many hotels overlook the roadway or the garbage dump. I must admit that the resort is not a model of cleanliness, there are enough littered areas and landfills. Not outright dirt, but unpleasant to the eye. There are only hotels on the first line, there are no villas, so you need to understand right away that you won’t be able to reach the sea.
Renting a house is not difficult, but you have to walk around. It took me almost an hour to find the right one. In several apartments, they offered housing in the basement: these are rooms without windows, converted either from storage rooms or from utility rooms. One was next to the sauna, the other - almost in the common dining room. The price is 35 euros. Several hotels refused me, under the pretext that they only work with agencies.
In general, you need to look at the sign "Sobe" (this is a room), the apartments are more spacious and more expensive. There are a lot of plates on every corner, it reminds of the Crimea, but you have to try to choose something suitable. Moreover, on Saturday there is a big arrival - many from Serbia, Croatia, that is, neighbors, come for the weekend.
I was lucky - literally turning the corner, I found excellent housing, with a kitchen (it was a must for me), an excellent bathroom. It's cozy, the yard is entwined with flowers, the owners speak tolerably Russian, and most importantly, you don't have to crawl in the year. The cost is 30 euros per day with tax, but in such a room, to be honest, even 3 people (or a couple with a child) will be accommodated: there is a double bed, a sofa and there is still enough space. Everywhere there is cable TV, with Russian channels.
Another important point: food. Before the trip, I read the advice of "experienced" and determined for myself that it is better to live near the Megamarket. This is a small store, but it has everything you need for a quality holiday. But the main thing: the grill, everything is fried here for free and very tasty. what was bought in this store: splash (local cutlet), chowapchi sausages, pork and chicken steaks, kebabs, chops. Everything is inexpensive, but gdavnoe-fresh, piping hot. I didn't want to go to any restaurant after that. Moreover, you really save 6-7 times on food, for example, in a cafe the same splash costs 7 euros, but here again 1-2 euros, this is individual: if you go to a cafe for the atmosphere, then this option is not for you quite suitable. It must be said right away that Montenegro is a meat country, they don’t know how to cook fish here. I specifically went to the famous in the area and expensive fish restaurants "Three Fishermen" and Porto. The interior is interesting, but the squid stuffed with shrimp was poured over with adjika, and the flounder was poured with some kind of mixture with garlic. Not only is it tasteless, but there is nothing good to think about the freshness of this fish. Octopus salad is not bad, the usual sea bream or sea bass too, it costs about 13-15 euros. Oysters are also questionable. Local beer is for everyone, but the wines, both red and rose, are pleasant, light, just right for a summer evening dinner.
A very expensive vacation on the beach: a sunbed and an umbrella costs 7 euros, a set for a family is 10. There are also free beaches, but it’s better not to go there: dirt, garbage. Actually, paid beaches are not very different, but still. The sea itself is excellent, the Adriatic is one word. But the beach is small-pebbled and there are stones in the water. But the sea is clear, deep almost immediately from the shore. There are also water activities: boat trips, jet skis, etc. In principle, inexpensive. There are plenty of excursions, but I didn’t take them, I went to the beach. Many travel on their own to the same Kotor, Ostrog, they say it’s not too difficult, and public transport runs well. But this is an option for those who like to feel independent.
You can walk to Budva from Becici, about 20 minutes, to the old town - 40 minutes. But by taxi 2-3 euros, I didn’t see buses there... Budva is a resort town, there are too many people, the beaches are even packed in September, the sea and beaches are much dirtier, but the city itself is more comfortable. Becici is very similar to Gagra, climate and sensations. Lots of unfinished business. The coast is built up with good hotels, most of which belong to the Russians. But there are many private apartments, hotels and rooms, but as I said, these are 2 and 3 lines from the sea. Hotels - especially Splendid, Tara, Mideteran - are excellent, in Tara you can have breakfast and lunch, inexpensively, 5-10 euros, very convenient. Food is not very good on the embankment: pizza, hamburgers, pancakes are a snack, but there are also establishments for a more serious meal. The ice cream is good, but far from Italian. A good selection of swimwear, mattresses and all kinds of bathing accessories, and cheaper than in Kyiv, so you can buy a swimsuit, hat or beach bag on the spot.
People are friendly, they understand and speak Russian, English is better for young people. Unlike Greeks or Cypriots, they are not lazy and try to please guests. Their pastries are also for everyone - bureks, pies with meat and cheese, croissants. Pies (apple plum) are not tasty. Baklava is good, in expensive pastry shops in Ravailovichi there are excellent cakes, tiramisu. And in ordinary cafes, so-so...
In summary: a good low-budget vacation. Suitable for ladies of Balzac age (there are many of them), elderly families. There were many children, but the beaches and the sea are not very comfortable for them, there are also few places to play, they are dirty. Food is not a problem, everything is in the store, beds and strollers are quietly rented, but I would not risk it with my one and a half year old son... That's it somehow. Have a good rest, sea and sun. And most importantly, moods, if you don’t get bored and don’t find fault, then Becici is a great place to relax. In any case, better and cheaper than the Crimea.