Montenegro

While travelling in Croatia, it’s easy to add a worthwhile side trip to Montenegro! You can rent a vehicle (provides the most flexibility), take a bus, or boat. Montenegro can seem a bit ‘rough around the edges’ compared to sleek Croatia, but it is full of natural beauty, sandy beaches and historic old towns that will draw you in! Easy transportation by car, bus or ferry, with English being widely spoken, makes the country very accessible. Still being discovered, there are pockets that are still inexpensive gems, as well some over the top extravagant places, to explore!

Trip Highlights

Perast Area: Roman mosaics, ocean-side cafes, island visit, oyster farms

Dobrota: inexpensive accommodations & refreshing swimming holes

Kotor: old town wandering, walk free portion of walls, farmers market, boat excursions

Cable car: Alpine coaster, mountain patio, medieval archery

Montenegro interior: Serpentine road, park at cable car top for coaster/views, National Parks, Lipa Cave

Budva Riviera: old town, sandy beaches, walking trails

Rental Car

• We booked via Easy Rent, as they could drop off a car for us right at our cruise boat in Port Gruž, for 227,50 EUR for 5 days. It included:
  • Unlimited kilometers & road assistance
  • Insurance (Third Party, CDW, Theft)
  • Cross border cards for Montenegro, Bosnia
  • Ferry allowance & one-way fee
  • VAT 25%
• Other Croatia rental options, located between Port Gruz port / Dubrovnik old town (€10-20 Uber 7-mins) with returns to airport: Can compare online for weekly sales in one place, then go directly to car rental website to check/book.
  • Avant (€152-3 days/€185-5 days, with 10% off first rental, may have large deposit)
  • Sixt (€161/€366)
  • Uni-Rent (€121/€210)
• Further out:
  • Avax (€156/€285 p/u across bay from Port Gruz & return airport
  • Nova (€200/€207, located out at airport) – Port Gruz uber to airport is €35-40. 
• Rental agency needs to provide a physical Green Card with card to cross border (digital not accepted).
• Rental size: VW Polo can fit: 2-3 large bags or 4+ carry-ons: has a variable height trunk – floor goes down
• Road signs for both Croatia & Montenegro, that are difference from Canada.
• Drivers in Montenegro can be quite aggressive and use their horn to say hello – be patient and pull over to let them pass, as the coastal roads can be quite narrow.
• For variety, take a different route back (1.5 hr via Kamenari ferry shortcut – check rental car allows ferries)

Alternatives to Renting a Car

• Hire a driver (€250-300 for a day trip)
• Flix Bus (€35/person/trip, sit on right side of bus on way to Kotor, left on way back for best views)
• Ferry (€25-50/person/trip, 3 hrs).
• No direct flights Dubrovnik to Kotor, but can fly to/from Trivat (4 km from Kotor) and Frankfurt/London ($200) to connect flights in Europe or home.

Border Crossing

• Border is usually 15-60 mins (Schengen to non-Schengen). Saturday is the busiest – detour near airport over to alt border at Vitaljina/Konfin instead
• Check Google Maps, border wait times, traffic cameras at Karasovici or Vitaljina in Croatia, or Debeli Brijeg or Konfin (bottom image) in Montenegro. Passports/car’s green card required for international insurance. 
• Leave Dubrovnik before 7:30 am or after 9 am for shortest crossings (avoids bus/day-trips). 
• Returning, avoid border crossing at 4-6 pm (excursion buses are returning). 
• If arrive at Karasovici/Debeli Brijeg & it’s packed (very likely on a Saturday), can backtrack 15 mins to quieter secondary border Vitaljina/Konfin (it’s too small for excursion buses to use). 
• Or from Dubrovnik detour through Bosnia 2 borders Gornji Brgat/Ivanica & Zupci/Sitnic (skips scenic coastal drive, but is longer & some car rentals don’t allow this).

Scenic Drive & Perast Island

• Just south of Dubrovnik, stop at Panorama Viewpoint (where small road out of Dubrovnik meets main road that passes above town, pullout is on right-side, usually has buses there).
• Follow coastal signs to Cilipi and Perast. 2-hr scenic coastal drive (plus border time).
• Lots of Konobas (taverns) in countryside (before Cavtat) for lunch – Konavoski Dvori town Green Restaurant outdoor tables on river waterfall by mill (burgers €22, stews €27, desserts €9, wine €7)
• Just past the border, there is a lovely sandy shore along Stara Banja Beach, with warm calf-deep water you can wade out in for nearly half a kilometer into the ocean! There are 2-person sunbeds with umbrellas you can rent for €10-15, or you can sit on your towel for free. Lots of beach patios for food and drinks. Park for free along the road near the tiny historic church Crkva Sv. Preobraženja, and walk down the side road right up to the beach (some limited parking there as well)
• By Zelenika, watch coastline for caves in fjord walls where Yugoslav warships would shelter 
• Scenic coastal road goes all the way to Kotor (through Perast), but if traffic is really busy, at Kamenari can detour to ferry & take the circle route other direction instead & then drive back to Perast.
• Stop at Verige 65 pullout for best view of narrowest point of Fjord (¼ mile wide – kept invaders out). 
• Stop in scenic Morinj to see bubbling ponds (underground streams). Site was also used in 1991 as concentration camp. Can eat at Konoba Tramonta terrace on water (cheaper than Konoba Catovica Mlini).
• Risan Vila Urbana Roman Mosaics (€5) archeology dig, 10-4, closed Mon (follow Rimski Mozaiki signs).
• Waterfront mussel/oyster farm Boka Seafood ultra fresh fire-grilled seafood, rustic pier tables (cash).  
• Main stop is Perast: beautiful stone town & boat trip out to 2 man-made islands (1.5-2 hrs)
• Crowds peak at 10-1 (if packed, head to Airbnb first to unpack & then come back; last boat 7pm-ish), or stop at Perast on your way back to Croatia
• Park for free outside Perast & walk along road by the water 10 mins in (avoid all roads in town – very narrow/treacherous) – just past Perast you can park for free along the highway and then walk in
• Or use Pay lots – turn right for town centre & watch for parking signs as approach town, or stay on main road & park above town (after passing by main town turnoff). Skip expensive boat tickets here; buy at harbour.
• Town has ornate Venetian mansions, half-built Church of St Nicholas (free to enter, €2 to see treasury, €2 to climb tower)
• Wander through town & enjoy! Grab a cup of coffee at a waterside patio or cool down with an ice cream as you walk through the town.
• Photos are best from the island, with Perast in background.
• Take a Perast boat (€5, 5 min boat & on island 30 mins – Zoran gives €1 discount with RS book, in front of St Nicholas Church) from main waterfront out to the two islands (St George – treed island closed to tourists & Our Lady of the Rocks – allows visitors, baroque church, museum & pay washroom). 
• An icon was seen in the waters here on a reef, so passing ships would drop rocks there, and as the tradition caught on, they ended up sinking vessels in the location as well, and over 2 centuries they created an entire island in the middle of the bay. 
• Visit island church (€2) to see icon – behind altar can still touch the reef where icon was found. 
• Museum has artifacts from 3500 BC & upstairs has an amazing embroidery made by a local woman over 25 years using her own hair for angels – hair fades from brown to gray as she worked on it.
• Back on shore, relish a dessert at Café Armonia with specialty cake slices (€5-8)
• Skip Kraken Kotor (sketchy floating platform with wine bottles stored underwater) – overpriced.

Dobrota

• Accommodations: We stayed in a new apartment with 2 beds, 2 bathrooms, free underground garage or street parking, smart home system, sound insulation, in-floor heating, digital lock, a/c, washer, elevator. https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/1207043110084775989?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76 for €152 per night, for 3 nights. Free cancellation
• 3 min drive or 30 min seaside walk to Kotor old town. Located near colourful St Matthias Church.
• Aroma/iDEA groceries: 2 min drive/12 min walk (closed Sun), rest are convenience stores.
• On Sunday, all large groceries close: use small kiosks, bakeries (Pekara) & gas stations for basics. Farmers’ Market (outside Kotor Old Town walls) is open Sun mornings until 3 PM for fresh produce/cheese. 
• Eat At Joe’s: local budget meals, daily menu includes traditional foods like Mućkalica (meat & veg stew) for €6, open 9am-midnight, leafy outdoor patio.
• Konoba Portun tavern on water (€20-27 meals, wine €7, bottle €20): reserve water table on Instagram.
• By Ljuta River is Restorán Stari Mlini (Old Mill) – beautiful but expensive (stunning at “golden hour” for just a drink – ask to sit in garden area for 16th-century mill atmosphere without the €200+ dinner bill).
• Bayfront promenade has concrete pads to sunbathe & ladders for swimming, great walk in evenings.
• Dobrota Beach (Sveti Stasije area): near Church of St. Eustahije, spacious, no boat traffic.
• Kotor Beach: largest pebbled beach, near the city center/Kamelija Shopping Centre.
• Virtu Beach (Beach Club): Huma Kotor Bay Hotel with sunbeds/lounge atmosphere.
• Žuta Plaža (Yellow Beach): popular local spot close to Old Town, shallow entry.
• Concrete “Pontas”: scattered along Dobrota Promenade, many public ones between Palazzo Radomiri & northern end of town.

• Check cruise arrivals: see when/how many tourists arriving, to pick Sun/Mon to explore Kotor
• Check weather: do cloudy skies for old towns / clear skies for cable car/driving interior. Can combine Budva Riviera with cable car or interior drive, or pick 1 of the 3 to spend the day (see how you feel).

Kotor

• Check weather and cruise arrivals to pick best day for Kotor (fewest people in the tiny medieval streets) or mountain (no clouds for a clear view). Cruise can bring up to 8,000 people, depending on the day!
• Bring a swimsuit if doing a Blue Cave tour from Kotor
• UNESCO Kotor (Boka Kotorska ‘mouth of Kotor’): wander triangle street maze Stari Grad (old town).
• Site has been controlled by: Illyrians, Romans, Serbs, Venetians, Russian, Napoleon, Austrians, Tito. Unharmed by wars, it was devastated by earthquakes (1667 & 1979) & fires.
• Leave car at Airbnb & walk along seaside 30 mins, or drive 5 mins & use pay lots (€2/hr) at Parking Riva or Parking Benovo (strict parking with towing of non-locals). Bus Station 10 min walk south of old town.
• Enter through main town gate (pink) from 1555, outfitted with Tito’s communism symbols (1944).
• Go left at clocktower just through gate, to Trg od Oruzja (Square of Arms) with public washroom – walk past Napoleon’s Theatre to find a staircase at far left end leading to upper terrace overlooking harbour, narrow walkway out to free seawall walk portion (front of harbour, watch for bolts/lights jutting out).
• Can walk full walls, but it’s a 700-foot elevation gain & strenuous in heat, very slippery stairs (€15).
• See Katedrala Sv Tripuna Church (from 809, rebuilt 4 times from earthquakes) excellent upstairs reliquary art with two-tower balcony views (€4, daily, mass Sun at 10).
• Maritime Museum in Georgian Palace with models & instruments (€6).
• On same square: little St Luke’s Christchurch (free, daily, 12th century, fresco south wall) & big St Nicolas Church (free, 1909, Neo-Byzantine).
• Colourful Kotor Bazaar is in ruins of a monastery (1667 quake) – go down lane left of St. Nicholas.
• Quirky Cat Museum in previous Poor Clares rectory monastery (€1) – location may change in 2026.
• Boat trip (marina vendors) around €45/3 hr Blue Cave/Submarine Tunnels (bring swimsuit, can be crowded).
• Just outside Kotor walls, facing the harbour, is an outdoor farmers market (9-2) with local cheeses & prosciutto (prsut), figs, pine honey & handmade turkish delight, for picnic foods/snacks with a view.
• Photo ops: small reflection pool just outside the Sea Gate entrance for a double-image selfie.
• Head to south tip of old town (street below Cathedral) for Nitrox craft beers & fun eateries by hostel.
• Pizzeria Pronto: outstanding thin-crust, sit-down meal/ grab large slice at takeaway hatch for just €2.
• Recommended Resto Taraca just outside wall on canal has €10-15 burgers, chicken & vegan
• BBQ Tanjga: legendary grill, massive portions of freshly grilled mixed meat plates with garden patio tables in the back, €10-15 (can have long lines). 

Cable Car & Mountain

• Check weather – go on a clear day (not worth it if can’t see from top) – go early, as cloud cover frequently rolls over Mt. Lovćen by mid-afternoon, even if the bay looks sunny. Bring coat & sunscreen.
• Option – Can skip cable car & just drive up to the top instead for views/drinks/coaster (see Montenegro Interior below)
• Drive 5 mins from Kotor, pay €1/hr parking, cable car up 4,300 ft for views (€25 round trip, 11 min ride) – can add alpine coaster ride (€10, up to 40km/hr, views) circular track: get 30% off Fast Track online w/Mastercard Gold, Platinum, World, Elite (buy online day before – or at kiosks requires physical card). 
• Montel 1350 Bar at top: grand view, sling-chair drinks, multi-tier terraces. Photos: 3 marked platforms. 
•  At top of cable car hill Medieval Adventures (separate ticket): try archery, swords, try knights’ armor. 
• Can pay shuttle buses from top to interior sites – walk few mins up road to red kiosk, return transfers: €10/pp to Lovcen Mausoleum mountain, €15/pp to Njegusi (or drive on own, windy roads – see below).
• Option – Can combine with Budva Riviera (old town & beach, see below) for a full day.

Montenegro Interior Drive

• Check weather (not worth drive to top if can’t see anything!), go early: cloudy in afternoon; bring sunscreen & coat.
• Can combine with Budva Riviera for a full-loop drive.
• Drive very tight winding 1884 Kotor Serpentine Road (1-hr up to cable car top, free parking) leave by 9:30, roads clog with slow cruise ship excursion buses 10-4 – cable car built in 2024 to relieve bus traffic. 
• Very top of 25 180°-turn-switchbacks & 75 hairpins: pullout with amazing views of Kotor Bay.
• Go to cable car hilltop parking lot: Montel 1350 Bar drinks/view, alpine coaster ride (€10, circular track – stays up top) – get 30% off Fast Track online w/Mastercard, or Medieval Adventures archery/armour. 
• If weather is clear, drive 10 mins to Lovcen National Park, climb from parking lot up 300 stairs through a rock tunnel to mountain mausoleum with incredible views (€5, 9-5, washroom). Behind building, narrow stone path (“threshing floor”) has 360-degree photo view (see Italy & Albania). 
• Pub Konoba Krstac: at entrance to Lovćen National Park, traditional Goulash €6-10, local Veal Soup €4, can sit outside under apple trees, budget-friendly but high-quality meal.
• Head to nearby village of Njegusi (‘NYEH-goo-shee’) to try their hams (Njegusi prsut) & smoked cheese.
• Pub Kafana Porto Turo: €10-15, family-run, big portions, Njeguški steak (meat stuffed with prosciutto & cheese) & Ćevapi are local favs, relaxed rock’n’roll pub vibe – food produced in their own local facilities.
• Carry on 30 mins to Cetinje (pronounced ‘Tseh-teen-yeh’), home of Montenegrin King since 15-century. City destroyed & rebuilt several times. Park in town centre (main street or large lot near National Museum of Montenegro), to stroll Main Street Njegoseva & square. 
• Wander for free, quietly, through nearby restored Cetinje Monastery. 
• National Restaurant Belveder: €8-20, region specialities, cheap with stunning views, open 10-10
• Huge caves (Google map: enter in Lipa Cave Parking, or it will take you to the wrong place) – €17 tour (runs 10-3:40 timetable), 60 mins includes 8-min train ride (tractor-trolley; sit left side for best view) from free parking lot, arrive early to buy onsite ticket, bring sweater: 8-12°C in cave, best photo op: underground pond reflection.
• Farmers sell cheese, cured ham & honey on road (cash). Tow-trucks paint phone numbers on road rocks.
• Restorán Konak: inexpensive traditional dishes with indoor/outdoor seating.
• Return to Kotor via another route – heading back toward coast, follow signs for ‘Budva’. 

Budva Riviera

• Visit Budva Riviera (30 mins south of Kotor) with course-sand beaches (bring swimsuit, towel & water shoes) – a lot of places are expensive/walled off for moguls/celebrities, but a few cheap places still.
• Can combine with interior drive circle route, or add to cable car route, or go direct from Kotor through tunnel, following brown Stari Grad signs to Budva, well-marked modern pay-park complex by old town.
• Parking Garage TQ Plaza – 5-min flat path along sea to town, €1/hr, cold underground (mall above, Voli supermarket (water/snacks) & free restrooms on upper floors, ticket entry, pay at machine before exit.
• Enter old town through walls & explore Njegoseva main drag and squares. Walk old town walls for free. 
• Magic Yard Gallery showcases Balkan-inspired works of local artists, café, reasonable jewelry prices.
• Can take a boat to Hawaii beach (St. Nikola) from Budva pier (€5). Large, sharp rocks – wear sandals.
• Sveti Ivan Catholic Church frescos & modern 1970s mosaic behind altar of St. John on Montenegro Coast (free). Across square Orthodox Holy Trinity Church has beautiful colourful decorations inside. 
• Citadel is interesting on the outside, but not worth touring inside. 
• Restaurant Kod Iva: daily set menu for €7, includes soup, main dish, salad, bread (home-style cooking). 
• Restaurant Budva Kuzina local fav, affordable hearty helpings of traditional food (fish soup €3). 
• Jaz Beach (pebble & sand – bring sandals as they get hot in the sun) 15 mins west of Budva old town has a huge long beach with €20 2-bed & umbrella sunbeds and free towel space, public outdoor showers, beach bars, bouncy-castle park with jet ski rentals & free field parking.
• Kamenovo Beach (small pebbles) 15 mins east of Budva old town, with view of Sveti Stefan & mountains. €25 sunbeds or free public section beach for towels, bring own food/drink, showers, change rooms, beach volleyball court. Free public parking north/south of beach or €5 parking lot.
• Sveti Stefan famous causeway island exclusive luxury hotel – closed currently (can ask guards if any free areas to walk by causeway), well marked pull out on right side of main road Sveti Stefan Viewpoint for photos of island/mountain views. To get closer to island, continue down & turn off to right following signs to Hotel Stéfan to park in pay lot & walk along beach as far as causeway. 
• Tito’s former Villa Milocer is on the promenade from beach to cove – can stroll along water to Budva. Free to walk from Sveti Stefan to Pržno through Miločer Park: voted one of the most beautiful walks in Europe, shaded by cedar trees, passing quiet “Queen’s Beach” for swimming.
• Take the tunnel back to Kotor (30 min drive from Budva; 45 mins from Sveti Stephan).

Drive back to Croatia

• Can drive back via a different route – take tunnel (toward Budva) to Trivat & Lepetane (skip treacherous coast road along this section). 
• Board ferry ‘trajekt’ to Herceg Novi (4 min crossing costs €5, every 20 min – ensure rental allows ferry). Don’t need to buy ferry tickets in advance: pay cash or handheld machine (worker comes to car line). 
• Avoid 3-5 pm, for heavy bus traffic using Vitaljina border, or head to quieter Konfin border crossing.
• Return car to Dubrovnik Airport.

 Travel Prep

Cash/Card 

• Croatia & Montenegro both use Euros
• Bring cash for small restaurants, €50 park fees for 2, 5-10% tips
• ATM/Bankomat: use official banks like Centralna Banka, Zagrebačka Banka (ZABA), Erste Bank, OTP (use ATM outside so if card is eaten, can go in & ask), avoid Euronet, Travelex, YourCash, Cashzone, generic Bankomat (18%)
• If debit has the Mastercard/Visa symbol, then it will work anywhere; take out less than your limit or it may refuse
• Europe uses ‘Chequing’ accounts (no option for Savings account), choose local currency (decline conversion twice), both Croatia & Montenegro use Euros, main cities tap credit card, islands are usually only cash

Pack 

Health insurance proof, cell USB-C cable/car mount, driver’s licence & physical credit card for rental car, water-shoes (rocky beaches), rashguard/snorkel gear (or buy at Kozum/beach ~€35), beach towel/scarf, waterproof cell case/bag, swimwear, sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, gravol, layered clothes (14-15°C, evenings cool), water bottles (tap water is safe), C-type adapters (2 round pegs), scarf (for shoulders at cathedrals), Airalo Eurolink (30 days: €12, can top-up) or GigSky Visa (free 15 days, $8/week topup), download offline Google Maps & Google Translate & Uber/Bolt/Lyft Apps, floaties, rechargeable power bank (allowed in carry-on), reusable grocery/beach bag, earplugs, raincoat/umbrella, good shoes/sandals, debit/credit/cash, e-book, headphones, mini-tissues (washrooms)

Entry Requirements

• Montenegro (non-Schengen): do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period, with passport valid at least 3 months past entry.
• Croatia (Schengen): Canadians do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period, with passport valid at least 3 months past entry. 
• New ESS – Canadians require Entry/Exit System (EES), mandatory by April 10, 2026 at Schengen’s first entry (good for 3 years) – this slows down your 1st entry point significantly (long lines, up to 4 hrs, check layover time) – if transiting, may do ESS at destination. App works in Sweden only, thus far.
  • Follow signs: “All Passports” or “Non-EU” immigration when deplaning in Germany/France.
  • Arrival Strategy: Try to be among first off plane to beat initial queue, use EES self-serve kiosks.
  • Biometric Registration: You must register your facial image and four fingerprints at an automated EES kiosk or with a border officer.
  • Passport Control: After registration, proceed to a border officer, to verify your digital record and be asked standard questions about your stay and funds.
  • No More Stamps: EES replaces physical passport stamps with digital record of your entry/exit.
  • Return flight (exit): biometrics are matched against existing record, generally a faster process.
• Schengen ETIAS authorization has been delayed until Q4 2026 (online advance application, €20).

Rental Cars

• If using a credit card that includes rental insurance, note that it doesn’t cover the other person’s car in an accident but all Croatia car rentals should come with 3rd party liability included (confirm prior to buying); Driver needs to book with their own card. Most rental companies include CDW collision insurance – call Credit Card to see if it is ok to combine with it?
• Rental company may put entire replacement price of car on the card as a deposit
• Small cars are best for narrow roads/parking – ensure 4-door. VW Polo has large trunk space for luggage
• Rental needs borders/ferries & green card to go to Montenegro
• Read fine print for one-way transfers, airports, ferries, borders, gas top-ups, insurance, etc.
• Technically need International Driver’s Licence, but they don’t require (only if it is a Cyrillic licence that they can’t read) 
• Take photos/video of car before/after, check if gas/diesel, where e-brake/green card are before leaving
• Rental must include high-vis vests which are legally required for road breakdowns (both countries)
• Strict drinking rules: legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 Croatia & 0.03 Montenegro
• Illegal to pass on the right; seatbelts & headlights must be on while driving
• Bring usb-c cable (cellphone maps),, cellphone hands-free holder, driver’s licence/international licence, physical credit card with pin
• Gas is green E, diesel is yellow/black B (same prices); costs around €1.25-1.50/l Croatia/Montenegro
• Road signs: red circle with X over blue means ‘no stopping’, diagonal slash means end of restriction
  • Warning Signs: white triangles with red borders (e.g., curves, animals, or falling rocks). In North America, these are typically yellow diamonds
  • Prohibitory Signs: These are white circles with red borders. For example, a “No Entry” sign is a red circle with a horizontal white bar—often without the words “Do Not Enter”
  • Mandatory Signs: These are blue circles that indicate an obligation, such as “Turn Right Only”
  • Priority Road: Yellow diamond with a white border: you have the right of way at upcoming intersections. A similar sign with a black diagonal slash means the priority road has ended.
• “Priority to the right” system: drivers must give way to vehicles at intersections approaching from right
• Mobile speed traps: oncoming drivers flash lights at you, it’s a signal that a police radar is ahead.
• Navigate by major town names in the direction of your destination, color of sign = road type (yellow is normal, blue is expressway, brown is a cultural/natural attraction. ‘Centar’/bullseye sign = town centre
• Parking: blue and white P signs. Street parking with blue lines require payment (€15-35/day). Yellow curb is restricted or handicap parking. Old town areas are pedestrian only
• Keep belongings in trunk to avoid break-in temptations & lock doors/windows
• Download GoogleMaps/Waze in advance. Download offline maps to reduce data use
• Download & setup Uber/Bolt in advance for quick local trips when not renting a car

Ubers/Taxis

• Uber/Bolt is available, cheaper, prevents being ripped off by cabbies 
• Download & setup apps with credit cards (select ‘€’ currency turned on to get the best conversion rates), prior to travel

Flight Delays

• EU Air Passenger Rights: any flight within EU & flights in/out of EU operated by European airlines, you’re entitled to compensation for: delays 3+ hours, flight cancelled/rescheduled/connection missed
• Scotiabank Passport Visa covers:
  • Flight Delays over 4 hours due to strike, quarantine, civil commotion, equipment failure, inclement weather, natural disaster, overbooking and hijacking/skyjacking. Delay insurance covers $500/ticketholder for necessary food, hotel, magazines, paperbacks, within 48 hrs of initial departure time (claim within 90 days, will reimburse portions that airlines don’t). Call immediately 1-800-263-0997 (In North America/Fongo) or overseas call collect 00-1-416-977-1552. Claim with statement from airline, receipts, within 90 days.
  • Delayed Luggage, for checked luggage only, more than 4 hours, up to $1K, essential items, purchased before bags returned & no later than 96 hrs after arrival, docs from airline carrier
  • Lost Luggage, up to $1K for all LLP travellers together, doesn’t cover money, camera, cosmetics, perfume, glasses/contacts, cellphones, art, electronics, etc.), reimbursed from your replacement purchases or cash value – call collect 00-1-416-977-1552 or in North America 1-800-263-0997 (Europe doesn’t use 1-800 numbers) within 90 days with docs from carrier

Safety

• 911 is 112 (multilingual)
• Vaccinations: none required, but suggest Covid, Ducoral (2 weeks prior to travel), HepAB, Measles 
• If get sick (mild), go to a pharmacy rather than hospital, or ask at a Hotel for a nearby medical clinic
• Take a digital photo of passport id (can be asked for id), driver’s licence, glasses/medical prescriptions, tickets & credit cards (store physical ID in separate places to reduce losing them all in one theft)
• Translations: cell camera point at signs/menus (click on pop-up brackets) or google translate app
• Canadians can register trip abroad with Federal Government: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration 
• Check the Canadian Government assessment of Croatia & Montenegro. Tourist violent crime rate is low, but petty crime pickpocketing/purse snatching is common (commotion technique – 2^nd person steals), only carry 1-day of cash, avoid backpocket, purse crossbody with safety pin across zipper, don’t set cell on table
• Organized crime & cyber crime: avoid public wifi, use secure banking apps/private web window only
• Use ATMs located in public areas, outside/inside a bank or business, cover pin with hand
• Don’t use Debit to pay (tap Credit Cards are safer & have more recourse to cover it)
• Don’t run a tab, confirm price & pay to prevent overcharge (especially at nightclubs)
• Unexploded ordinances – main areas have all been cleared since war, but stay on paths
• Watch beach flags & weather for ocean conditions, never turn back on sea (rouge waves)
• Tap water is safe to drink – always bring/drink water – easy to dehydrate in heat with no shade
• Active seismic zone for earthquakes. Occasional wildfires/floods. Celebratory in-air gunfire
• Lost/stolen credit card: lock/cancel online/phone, file police report, request new card (Europe delivery)
• Lost/stolen passport: file police report, contact embassy (get appt to go in-person), insurance
  • Croatia Embassy is in Zagreb Croatia 385 (1) 488-1200 / 385 (1) 488-1238
  • Montenegro Embassy is in Belgrade Serbia 381 (11) 306-3000
  • Embassy emergency after hours any country: 1-613-996-8885
• Use WhatsApp for free call to another WhatsApp account users, or use Facetime or Messenger instead texting, if using travel data without your cell phone number
• Pack light as most places in Europe don’t have elevators & cars are small (plus faster at airport)
• Always use washrooms at cafes & museums before exiting (clean & safe, next washroom could be far)
• If need directions, cab or restaurant recommendation, pop into any hotel to ask doorman/concierge
• Rotate shoes/sandals to avoid blister & pack waterproof/sweatproof bandaids
• Hot out? Pop into old stone church for cooling break, start day early & take midday siesta, ice cream
• Nude beaches are listed as FKK (FKK translates to: free body culture)
• Stone stairs and cobblestones can be extremely slippery, especially in rain, watch your step & hold rail

Shopping

• Many stores close Sundays – including Groceries! Buy food Saturday! 
• Croatia is known for: red coral jewellery, filigree, lace, handmade goods & smoked foods 
• Montenegro is known for: wine & ham, as well as Handmade Crafts from olive wood, hand-painted ceramics, intricate lace, hats (Kapa) with a red top and a black border, and traditional musical instruments (Gusle). Kotor has a many cat-themed gifts, due to the city’s famous resident feline population
• Women: pants/dresses: add 32 (size 10 is size 42); shoes: add 30-31 (size 9=39-40)
• Men: dress shirts: multiply by 2 & add 8 (15 = 38); jackets/suits: add 10; shoes: add 32-34
• If purchasing over €100 in a store on 1 receipt, ask store to fill out VAT form (21-25% value added tax) & show photo of passport. Go early to VAT Refunder/airport customs to process refund (or mail in)
• Buy liquids (alcohol/perfume) at duty free airport (sealed bag) & carry-on plane so no luggage issues 
• Personal duty exemption: $800CAD purchases, 1.5L wine, 1.14L spirit (opaque bottles can have issues)

Restaurants

• Tipping is only for places with wait-service (5-10%) – estimate 10% & round down to an even number), not expected but appreciated. Some machines don’t have tip – ask waiter to include ahead, or leave cash
• Some touristy restaurants include ‘service’ charges on bill (check for any auto-gratuities), or a “Couvert” (cover fee, €2-5) to sit at a table rather than take-out.
• Smoking is prohibited indoors, allowed outdoors (including patios)
• Head 1-2 blocks off main drag for higher quality food at lower prices (watch where the locals go)
• Most menus have: Italian pizza/pasta/seafood & Balkan grilled meats/phyllo pastries
• Traditional menus have: fresh octopus salad, black-ink risotto, stew meat with ajvar (spicy condiment)
• ‘Under the Bell’ Peka is a meat dish with a metal bell lid buried in hot coals to cook slowly (ask ahead)
• Seafood may be listed by weight (500 g is a large 1-person portion)
• Bakeries sell burek – grab & go phyllo-meat sticks (Mlinar is a popular bakery chain)
• Pizza Cut = pizza by the slice windows, & grocery stores often make sandwiches for you in deli
• Prust = airdried ham (prosciutto), Mixed salad is like a coleslaw, Green salad is just lettuce.
• Konoba = tavern, can ask server if bones can be removed from a whole fish for you, shrimp has shells
• Wine bottle: Stolno = table wine, Kvalitento = quality, Vrhunsko = top-quality, Barrique = barrel age
• Rakija = a traditional fruit brandy liquor, that can be flavored many ways (fruits, herbs, honey, etc.) 
• ‘Dalmatians-style’ is lots of olive oil, parsley & garlic
• Sladoled = ice cream, located everywhere, lots of unique flavours
• Ask for tap water ‘Voda iz slavine’, or a Spritzer (wine with mineral water) 

Language 

• Most people speak English, but you can use Google Translate (download languages) & cell camera to translate
• Croatian and Montenegrin languages have a 90% overlap in words, but Montenegro also uses some Cyrillic letters
• J sounds like a ‘y’, C sounds like ‘ts in bats’, č sounds like ‘ch’, š sounds like ‘sh’, ž sounds like ‘zh’
• Hi/Bye: bok (bohk), Hello = dobar dan, Please/Welcome = molim (moh-leem), Thanks = hvala (hvah-lah), Sorry = oprpsyite (oh-proh-stee-teh), No Problem = nema problema, Good = dobro
• Toilet = vece (veht-she), Women = Zenski, Men = Muski
• Wine = vino, Beer = pivo, Coffee = kava, Tap water = Voda od slavine, glass = casa, bottle = boca
• Trg = town square, Ulica = road, Cesta = avenue, Autocesta = highway, Most = bridge, Otok = island, Trajekt = ferry, Jadran = Adriatic
• Often hear: Moze (moh-zheh) = ok/can do; Ajde (eye-deh) = let’s go

Travel Tips 

• Pick up a current Montenegro guide book, such as Rick Steves, from your local library to check out the most recent helpful info and maps
• Always use washrooms at sites before exiting (clean!) – if have a pass, can pop in just for washroom 
• Know your time-change for jet-lag and calling home
• Temperatures in May-June are 21-25°C highs & 14-18°C lows. Water temp: 18-21°C
• Electricity is 220 Watts in both Croatia & Montenegro, bring adapters with 2 round prongs
• Paper maps are usually free at Tourist Info offices, or download offline Google Maps ahead
• See most important sites first, in case of unexpected closures
• Go to sites early/late to avoid crowds (siesta when sites busy) – mid-morning is worst & can making traveling exhausting. If arrive too late, sites have ‘last entry 1 hr prior to close’ & usher tourists out 
• Look up scheduled cruise arrivals at Kotor, to see when/how many tourists arriving
• Peak season is July-Aug: crowded, hot, expensive
• Very few elevators, pack light. Floor 2 is Canadian Floor 3 (ground is floor 0). 
• Shower quickly: hot water tanks are small. Pull-cord by tub is for emergency if fall, not clothesline
• On rainy days, may smell faint sewer odor due to very old city septic tanks, not harmful
• Use Messager, Facetime, Skype, What’s App for calling. What’s App is popular in Europe
• How to call Canada from Croatia: instructions (different for cell or landline)
• Back up your cell to cloud before travelling & enable Find My Phone, in case it is lost
• Numbers: comas are decimal points, decimals are commas ($1.50 = €1,50, a thousand is 1.000)
• Count with thumb first (if your hold up your pointer finger for 1, they might give you 2 items)