The destination, which you doubt you knew, is two and a half hours away, immersed between magical beaches and green mountains and towns that look like a fairy tale: Montenegro, located in the western part of the Balkans.
Already on landing you can understand that you have reached a Balkan-style paradise. The country, which has a population of about 600,<> residents, provides quite a few azure beaches, wild nature that spreads throughout the country, ancient cities with an intriguing history, sea dishes that characterize the region and how not? Low prices that are affordable for every pocket. The wide variety makes the young country attractive and surprising for families and couples looking for sunbathing vacations.
Balkan heaven. Tivat, Photo: Assaf Hadar
But if you still need convincing to buy a plane ticket, we've gathered the recommendations that will make you think again:
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If you want to clear your mind of everyday worries first, you won't have to do much. The new flights land in the city of Tivat, which sits near the Bay of Kotor. Perfect starting point to understand the calm nature of Montenegro. Along the coastline that provides a boulevard of shops, restaurants and boutique hotels, you will find Porto Montenegro - a marina where luxury yachts dock and in an instant automatically force you to take out your camera and record.
Lustica Bay, Montenegro, Photo: Assaf Hadar
The upscale area also features top-class hotels. IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, YOU'LL PAY ABOUT 350 EUROS A NIGHT AT A LUXURY HOTEL LIKE "REGENT", WHICH INCLUDES 2 LUXURY COMPLEXES OF LONG-TERM OR BUYING APARTMENTS, 2 POOLS, SPA, GYM, 4 RESTAURANTS AND SPORTS FIELDS.
Suppose you decide to visit for only one day and still want to enjoy the cosmic place, you can spend time at the PMYC pool of the yacht club, where you will find a pool, a pampering spa and a lounge area with a gorgeous food menu.
Luxury yachts anchored in the port, photo: Assaf Hadar
A 15-minute drive from the center of Tivat is Luštica Bay, where you will find an apartment complex perched on a mountain and at the foot of which a marina where yachts of locals and tourists dock.
Get the real shoos: the apartments, built on the hillside, are more suitable for those who want to spend more than a few days here and love Airbnb. Suppose you are unable to buy luxury vacation apartments, you can experience the vibe of the place at the hotel "The chedi" located on the charming promenade of Lustica.
The apartments are built on the hillside, photo: Assaf Hadar
The hotel has 2 restaurants, 2 bars (one on the beach) a spa and over 100 rooms including penthouses will cost you the rest of the season from 248 euros for a double room including breakfast per night. In high season, from July to August to September, the price starts at EUR 648 for a double room including breakfast per night.
Boats are part of the landscape of the place. Within a short boat ride you can reach Kamenari, visit the cafes that stretch all along the pedestrian street, and even discover boutique hotels like casa del mare Mediterraneo. Part of a family hotel chain, the hotel has 17 rooms overlooking the coastline.
Boutique hotels "Casa del Mar", photo: Assaf Hadar
A regular-season room is expected to start from EUR 400 for a double room including breakfast. However, in high season the price jumps to 600 euros for a double room including breakfast and a night. There's a Mediterranean-style restaurant on the beach, centered around a tabun serving focaccia, cheese and dreamy pizzas.
The view from the room at Casa del Mar, photo: Assaf Hadar
The beach of "Casa del Mar", photo: Assaf Hadar
One hotel that might be much more family-friendly is Lazure Hotel & Marina, which overlooks the Bay of Kotor. Rooms at this luxury hotel, also on its own marina, start at EUR 350 in summer. It has 128 rooms, an indoor pool, spa, <> restaurants and <> bars.
Soak up culture
The hotel is located only 2.<> miles from Herceg Novi, the fifth largest city in the country. Apart from the views, you can soak up some culture and a lot of history.
The city has fascinating sights, such as Kanli Kula Fort, which overlooks the beach and hosts music and cultural festivals throughout the year. The fortress has a rich history and is battle-hardened, at one time it was even conquered by the Ottomans and in part it was used as a prison.
The fortress overlooks the beach, photo: Assaf Hadar
Kanli Kula Fort,
Mamola Island
Ten minutes from Herzig Novi port, in Boca Bay, is a very special hotel - Mamula Island Hotel. The hotel sits on an island, the pictures speak for themselves.
Mamula Island Hotel, Photo: Assaf Hadar
Getting to the hotel and the island is by boat only, not the most accessible in the world, but definitely intimate for couples. Please note that the hotel is not suitable for families with children, and is only suitable for ages 12 and up.
Mamola Island // Photo: Assaf Hadar
Renovated at a cost of €38 million by an Egyptian businessman, the hotel features a total of 32 designer rooms, restaurants, a spa and a luxurious and unique outdoor pool. As part of the accommodation, Pilates and yoga classes are offered. Price per night per room: from €500 at the beginning of the season, from €700 in high season.
The hotel sits on an island, photo: Assaf Hadar
At the same time, hourly boats leave for the Blue Cave (Plava pecina), located near the island and have become a must-visit destination. The pleasure is expected to cost you about 15 euros per person.
The Blue Cave // Photo: Assaf Hadar
The Blue Cave, Photo: Assaf Hadar
Perast Town
On the enchanting coast of the Bay of Kotor is Perast, a small historic town of about 300 inhabitants. 40 years ago there was an earthquake here that left few residents here, but the small municipality managed to grow again and today displays palaces, ancient churches and thousands of visiting tourists.
Bay of Kotor, Photo: Assaf Hadar
On the stunning coastline, stay at the 5-star Heritage Grand Perast. The entrance to the hotel rooms is accompanied by a red carpet, as befits the place. Rooms at the hotel are spacious and decorated in a modern way, with a variety of restaurants among others. Breakfasts are served on the terrace overlooking the sea, there is a large bar, an indoor pool with spa and an outdoor pool on the beach.
The price per night is accordingly: 750-1,100 euros for a double room, 850-1,300 euros for a duplex suitable for four people.
Heritage Grand Perast Hotel, Photo: Assaf Hadar
Opposite the main street of Perast you can see the island "Our Lady of the Rocks",
This is a church built between 1747 and 1750, which can only be reached by motorized boats. The church was damaged during the 1979 earthquake but restored in 1986 and is now considered one of Montenegro's most iconic landmarks.
Admission to the island and church, which houses a mini-museum telling local history, costs around €5.
"Our Lady of the Rocks" Island, Photo: Assaf Hadar
If the cost of living weighs on you, the security situation undermines you, you can pack a small suitcase and make a short trip to a magical country. Fortunately, the human hand has not hurt her so far, and hopefully not in the future. Cheap prices, never-ending nature, and pampering hotels - this is all you need for a perfect vacation.
It should be noted that starting in May, Sun d'Or operates two weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays. The scheduled flights are sold through the EL AL website and through travel agents, and it is possible to combine the regular Sun d'Or destinations with EL AL destinations.
The journalist was a guest of Sun d'Or of the El Al Group and the Montenegrin tourist bureaus.
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