MONTENEGRO

Location - South east Europe; Capital - Podgorica; Population - 650,000; Currency - Euro MORE MONTENEGRO

It's a very scenic, but very winding, bus ride from Peja in Kosovo up and over the Rugova mountains to north eastern Montenegro. The country is called Crna Gora in Montenegrin, meaning Black Mountain - October 2017.

Montenegro is another country in the region which, though not part of the EU, uses the Euro

Two days earlier it had been snowing so the Kosovo/Montenegro border, which must be over 1,000m altitude, was a lovely blanket of snow. This looks very much like a mosque

The bus took us from Peja in Kosovo to the Montenegro border and on to Rozaje and Berane, where I changed buses and headed to Bijelo Polje in the north of the country - Rozaje to Berane

In the mountainous north I noticed lots of these haystacks, many of which had bottles strung around them, nestling in the straw. Any ideas?! Bijelo Polje

Bijelo Polje is the largest city in the north

Notice the red star on the hill, a symbol of communism. It was removed after the break up of Yugoslavia but reinstalled - Bijelo Polje

My reason for going to Bijelo Polje was to take take in the excellent mountainous scenery - Bijelo Polje to Podgorica

It's part of the same route the Belgrade-Bar train takes - Bijelo Polje to Podgorica

Almost in the lowlands near Podgorica - Bijelo Polje to Podgorica

Podgorica is the little visited capital of Montenegro. This is Stara Varos, the Ottoman-era part of town

Not sure if this guy's offering a bottle of water or beer. I declined both - Podgorica

The Millenium Bridge crosses the Moraca River - Podgorica

In the middle of Petrovic Park is the 19th century Petrovic Palace, which now houses an arts centre - Podgorica

A huge statue of Petar I Petrovic Njegos, leader of Montenegro in the early 19th century - Podgorica

The Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection was only consecrated in 2014 - Podgorica

Lovely Lake Skadar is only 30mins from Podgorica - Virpazar

Virpazar is the main tourist hub which can get crowded with tour buses

Making a slightly hazardous walk across the lake causeway to Vranjina

The lake is a national park and shared between Montenegro and Albania - Vranjina

On the left, jutting out of the causeway, are the remains of the 19th century Lessendro Fortress - Vranjina

Gorgeous views of Lake Skadar from Jezero Restaurant in Vranjina

Taking the bus over the central mountains from Podgorica to Budva

The bus descends to bring into view my first glimpse of the coast on this trip - Montenegro coast

Slovenska Plaza is the main beach in Budva, where the temperature in mid-October was a perfect mid-20s

Island-hopping and fishing trips can be arranged at Dukley Marina - Budva

Sveti Nikola is an island just off the coast - Budva

Budva has a cute little old town surrounded by city walls

As you'd expect, the medieval old town is lined with souvenir shops, cafes, bars and restaurants - Budva

The early 19th century Holy Trinity Church and behind the spire of St John's Church - Budva

Also in Stari Grad (the Old Town) is another 19th century building, the Citadel - Budva

Holy Trinity Church (left) and St John's Church (right) from the Citadel - Budva

The resort is very much the main beach resort in Montenegro, and also popular with package tourists from the Balkans, Russia and further afield - Budva

There's several beaches scattered around Budva. This one is adjacent to the old town (pictured) called Budva Old Town Beach - what else! But it also goes by the name Ricardova Glava

From the beach follow the headland path for a great view of the Old Town walls - Budva

The Naked Ballerina poses in front of the Stari Grad - Budva

Continue walking along the coastal path to reach Mogren Beach - Budva

Tucked away near the Citadel is the entrance to the city walls - Budva

Looking outside the city walls - Budva

And looking inside, with the Adriatic Sea on the left - Budva

Just a few kms south of Budva is this special sight - Sveti Stefan

Walking along Sveti Stefan beach towards Sveti Stefan

Sveti Stefan (St Stephen) is an island linked to the mainland by a causeway

It comprises an old town of 15th century buildings, but unfortunately is for the exclusive use of Aman Resorts - Sveti Stefan

However for 20Euros you can go on a 45min tour of the island - Sveti Stefan

A beautifully clear sea on the causeway to Sveti Stefan. On the opposite side of the bay is Budva

Buildings are mostly either churches, hotel rooms or restaurants - Sveti Stefan

One of the small squares, with a church on the left - Sveti Stefan

Down towards one of the more exclusive villas which was complete with an infinity pool. Yes please! Sveti Stefan

A lovely view of the Adriatic and Budva - Sveti Stefan

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic got married on the island, and Robert de Niro was due to stay a week or two after I was there - Sveti Stefan

To the mainland from the main restaurant - Sveti Stefan

Take the woodland path across a headland to Milocer Beach, or King's Beach. The building on the left is Villa Milocer, built in 1934 as a summer residence for Serbian Queen Marija Karadordevic - Sveti Stefan

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LINKS

https://getbybus.com - good site for booking bus tickets across the Balkans

www.montenegro.travel - official tourist site

www.zcg-prevoz.me - Montenegro trains

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.