Montenegro: Celeb getaway or future student hotspot?

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t may be hard to believe, but there is one country left in Europe that EasyJet and Ryanair are yet to commandeer as the new low-cost hotspot. In fact, even the cutting-edge technology of the train is yet to reach Montenegro. But the absence of a railway doesn’t mean you should cross it off your bucket list. Although it’s an established destination for Russian holidaymakers, it’s rare to hear an English voice in Montenegro. Here’s why that could change.

Firstly, the landscape: part Amalfi coast, part wilderness, Montenegro’s beaches are characterised by their lush mountain backdrop. Lake Skadar, billed as the country’s must-see national park, is blissfully tourist-free. Its floating hills stretch into the distance into neighbouring Albania, and kayaking is a must to take in the unique views.

It’s one that should come with a slogan: only for those with a strong bladder.

Secondly, the history: Kotor, a medieval coastal town, is popular with day trippers from nearby Croatia, and brings in business thanks to a rumour that it boasts the longest ancient wall after the Great Wall of China. These fortifications disappear half-way up, but don’t worry, there’s a helpful colour-coded map to make sure you don’t stray to the ‘unstable’ areas of the wall – reassuring. At first glance, the town appears to be perched on the edge of a lake, but this body of water is in fact the Adriatic Sea at one of its most inverted points.

Thirdly, the celeb spotting. Tennis ace Novak Djokovic got married this summer on Sveti Stefan, a former fishing island turned luxury hotel. Pretty expensive to stay on, but it makes for a great (and more affordable) photo opportunity from the nearby road. If it’s good enough for a Wimbledon champion…

Although it’s an established destination for Russian holidaymakers, it’s rare to hear an English voice in Montenegro.

And finally, the journey. It’s one that should come with a slogan: only for those with a strong bladder. With no airports or railways, Montenegrins rely on an efficient bus service to get around. Travelling to Budva (think Dubrovnik meets Kavos) from Belgrade is a 14-hour journey, complete with a toilet-less coach, a serious language barrier and a driver determined to drop off every Montenegrin pensioner at their front door.

It’s only a matter of time before this undiscovered gem becomes EasyJet’s version of the same thing, and the journey will involve a few hours at Luton airport instead of the colourful coach ride. But however you end up getting there, after experiencing Montenegro’s seamless balance between beach holiday and intrepid daytrips, even a 14-hour bus journey will have been worth it.