Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor is one of the most spectacular waterways in Europe. Winding for miles into the Dinaric Alps in Montenegro, it is among the most popular cruise destinations in the Adriatic Sea. The area of the bay has been inhabited since ancient times, and is rich in history as well as natural beauty. As part of the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor, the Bay of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There have been documented settlements in the Kotor area since the third century BC, though human habitation in the area goes back much further. The bay was a critical area of trade in the Balkans from the Roman era through Ottoman era. Over the centuries, the area became home to hundreds of churches, monasteries and the like, and much of the bay is now considered a sacred pilgrimage destination for many Christians.
The Bay of Kotor winds for over twenty miles through some of the most rugged mountain scenery in Southeastern Europe. Along its banks are centuries old cities and quaint towns, including the namesake city of Kotor, as well as over three hundred Catholic and Orthodox churches and a few medieval castles.
The Bay of Kotor is breathtaking from almost every location and angle, but is probably best appreciated by boat on a day cruise. Some of the mountains, which press in on the bay from every side, can be hiked, offering incomparable views. Web: www.kotor.montenegro.travel (official tourism website of Kotor).
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