Best Anton is in Montenegro

 

 

The road is winding like a snake up the hill from the Kotor Bay. It is narrow. So narrow that the heart stops and you start to sweat when you see the bus full of Chinese or Japanese tourists approaching you. Each encounter with a car, van or bus brings a sigh of relief. But what a view! View of the Kotor Bay is getting more and more beautiful with each hairpin turn. Over the time you will have a view as clear as a day over a sea flooded river canyon, the only Mediterranean fjord. White houses stretch along the entire coast of the bay. It seems that the buildings grew on every flat part at this beautiful coastal area of Montenegro. The road to the National Park Lovćen is really a bit difficult for drivers, but definitely worth of drive (nicer road leads from Cetinje, but in this case you will miss the spectacular view of the bay).

 

 

The National Park comprises the central and highest part of the mountain range that in addition to all the natural beauty includes a rich cultural and architectural heritage. By the narrow asphalt path on patches of green old houses are scattered, villages called guvna and huts where in summer shepherds sleeping. The idyllic village Njeguši is also on the way to the second highest peak of Mount Lovćen – Jezerski vrh (1.657 m), which was chosen for the final resting place by Petar II Petrović Njegoš himself. During his life, when he was a bishop, Metropolitan, poet, philosopher, and who, through his establishment of Montenegrin secular organs, is considered to have been responsible for the secularization of Montenegro, he built a chapel. This chapel has been destroyed and now the marble mausoleum is being visited by the thousands of tourists who are enthusiastic about the spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor, the mountains, which are like waves of stone sea, the coast and, if the weather is nice, even Italy.

 

 

After descending into the valley you need to visit the picturesque Kotor. Surrounded by walls and nesting at the head of the bay it has one of the best preserved medieval city centers in the Adriatic. MahtarM'Bo Amadu, Director of UNESCO, said that "Kotor is a living museum", that is why Kotor is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each year fascinated crowd of tourist wanders in the maze of narrow streets that connects on small and large squares with nice cafes, shops and churches. Large cruise ships are permanent guests in the bay, some are amazed by those huge machines, and some think they are blocking the view. But if you are a fan of expensive yachts I recommend you go to the other side of the Kotor Bay. In Tivat, the center of Nautical Tourism, mostly extremely rich Russians linger. Well, locals drive them around with cars to golf. Part of the Tivat reflects the rich history of the city, the other part changed into the luxury holiday resort. There are so many yachts for which it is difficult to determine how expensive they were ...

 

 

But this does not mean that the city does not have affordable, hospitable and attractive accommodation. The only hostel under Hostelling International in Montenegro is right in Tivat. And believe me you will not regret if you spent a night or two in Hostel Anton. Why? "Because of the atmosphere," says Maja, who with her husband, a bunch of children and a dog and a cat, runs a hostel only 10 minutes’ walk from the town center and the beach. "Let's not forget our excellent service and a sea view," she adds. She said that Hostel Anton is a kind of commune. Some of the guests return each year; some stay all year round and help with various tasks. "Guests feel at home, like they are visitors at our home. The atmosphere is relaxed. It is a great place for backpackers. We are here to help them, give information, and cook something. Each guest is welcome to add something, suggest and leave his/hers mark in the hostel. In return, artists who paint something, musicians who have a concert here, etc. can get a free accommodation."

 

 

On a small hill, where the road ends, once stood stone cottage owned by grandfather Anton. Today, a two storey building with a common room stands there. In hot summer days wind blows where travelers rest on the comfortable sofas, where you can get a beer for just one euro, and where at least once a month, the band plays. Live. Tourists from all over the world chat while loud sounds of rock music plays, cigarette smoke fills the room, and some are moving to the rhythm of music. The atmosphere in Hostel Anton attracts, you want to stay there as no one is in a hurry. It seems that time passes slower. Musicians will love it. They have a wide range of musical instruments; in addition, they offer a 10% discount. Sportsmen get it also. The vicinity of mountains attracts a great deal of hikers and climbers who conquer peaks. The cyclists are eager to gain kilometers on the roads of Montenegro.

 

 

In the high season (July and August), the hostel is full, so do not forget to book in advance. Although there are 55 beds, hostel hosts groups of children, pupils and students, who come to the excursion, so it may happen that the only option is to pitch a tent on the roof. Which may sound a bit bizarre; it can be a romantic experience. Covered with an infinite number of stars in the sky, while the gentle breeze caresses you and only the moon gives some light… you will sleep like a baby. Staff in Hostel Anton will make sure you won’t be bored; they organize boat excursions, rafting, hiking and cycling. Maja said also that in Montenegro a lot happens in spring, autumn and winter months. This is an ideal time to practice sport. At that time of a year heat is not unbearable. Although even at 40 degrees you can meet sweaty cyclists on the road. It is probably a lot nicer and healthier to do sports at lower temperatures.