The country
Montenegro is the youngest country in Europe, after gaining its independence from Serbia in 2006. It is rapidly developing a tourist industry of its own, thanks to its short stretch of Adriatic coast and its dramatic, mountainous interior.
Montenegro’s history has been closely tied to that of Serbia. Although largely independent for several centuries and never fully controlled by the Ottomans, Montenegro was invaded by Austrian-Hungarian troops during the first world war and thereafter joined greater Yugoslavia. After the second world war, it became one of the six republics that made up Communist Yugoslavia under Tito. When that federation fell apart amid ethnic violence in the 1990s, Montenegro began to distance itself from Belgrade. In the referendum of May 2006, 55.5% of the population voted for independence – just over the 55% needed.
The undisputed star of Montenegrin tourism brochures is Sveti Stefan, an island hotel famous for its picturesque rooftops and celebrity visitors of yesteryear. Other coastal attractions include Budva and the neighbouring gulf of Kotor. Inland, Durmitor national park is a world heritage site, formed by glaciers and sliced by rivers and underground streams: along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, there are dense pine forests and clear lakes.
Best sites
· Visit-montenegro.com Official tourist site
· Destination Montenegro A great selection of photo galleries
· Montenegro Smiles A showcase of urban and rural attractions
· Montenegro.com Hotel and restaurant listings
· Durmitor.com Useful information site for visitors to the Durmitor national park – including skiers and snowboarders
· CIA world factbook
· Foreign Office travel advice
If you only do three things ...
Follow in the footsteps of Sophia Loren in Sveti Stefan, wander through the old town of Budva, and head to the mountainous Durmitor region.
News and current affairs
Read online publications in the world news guide
Language
The official language is Serbian – which can be written both Roman and Cyrillic scripts. In the Roman script there are several letters not used in English.
Climate
Montenegro's Dalmatian coast has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and sunny, warm summers. The coast is backed by mountains, where winter rainfall is heavy; areas of Montenegro are among the wettest in Europe. Expect around four hours of sunshine a day in winter and between 10 and 12 hours a day in summer.
Health
Tetanus, polio and hepatitis A vaccinations are advisable. Others may be recommended if you're planning to stay a while.
Food
Montenegrin food is part Italian, part Levantine – expect cured meats (known as meza) washed down with loza (grape brandy), followed by seafood such as squid or octopus near the coast or, inland, meaty stews.
Currency
£1 is about €1.40.
Events
The major Montenegrin religious holiday is Easter, celebrated on April 8 in 2007 and April 27 in 2008. The Budva music festival is held in June.
Embassies and visas
Visitors from the UK, most other European countries, Australia, the USA and Canada do not require a visa to visit Montenegro for up to 90 days. Plans are in place to upgrade the British office in Montenegro into an embassy. Until then, the British embassy in Belgrade at Resavska 46, 1000 (+381 11 2645 055) also handles Montenegro.
Time zone
GMT/UTC +1
Getting there
British Airways and Thomsonfly both fly direct from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik in Croatia – a short drive along the Adriatic coast to Budva. Montenegro Airlines fly from the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, to several European capitals but not London. Low-cost airline Centavia flies from Podgorica to Belgrade.
Related literature
Realm of the Black Mountain Up-to-date history of Montenegro by Elizabeth Roberts, published in January 2007.
