Kotor and Mostar on the Side!

If you consider Dubrovnik as the visual equivalent of a gourmet entree then the side trips to Kotor, Montenegro and Mostar, Bosnia are a wonderful side dish and exquisite dessert. Both ancient cities are just short two hour drives from Dubrovnik and can be visually devoured in a half day.

Kotor City Wall

Kotor is an old fortified town on the Adriatic just over the border in Montenegro. I have wanted to visit this gem since a good friend and Montenegro native shared his photos with me fifteen years ago. I had always hoped to travel there with Tom (My Montenegro friend and Art Director at DMS) but sadly he was killed in a motorcycle accident on one of the windy hairpin turn roads in the mountains above Kotor.

So with my three travel companions in tow we made the pilgrimage to Montenegro to admire Tom’s city and for me – remember and honor the memory of a really good friend and fantastic person. The old walled city of Kotor is tucked in between a small harbor and towering coastal mountains. Flat real estate is rare in these coastal towns and every inch is used to its highest and best purpose. The old walled city is a maze of winding street and lanes, medieval churches on every block and grand palaces built by the local masters of the sea.

It is interesting that Kotor is less than 110 kilometers from Dubrovnik and developed much the same way dependent upon the Sea for its fortune – but has a much different vibe. Where Dubrovnik feels grand, graceful and prosperous, Kotor seems more gritty, practical, and blue color. The town is still beautiful in its own way and the residents vibrant and welcoming. And I definitely recommend a visit to see the moss covered City Walls, Church of St Paul, Cathedral of St. Tryphon, St. Luke’s Church, and St Luke’s Square. As President Trump would say, “Kotor – You’re going to Love it!!!!!”

The Start Most in Mostar

Then there is Mostar – our touring dessert! Mostar straddles the Neretva River and is an hour and half east of Dubrovnik in southern Bosnia. The city’s most famous attraction is the reconstructed and iconic Stari Most Bridge (photos attached). The original iconic medieval arched Star Most Bridge was destroyed by the Croatian army during the war in the 19900s – Just one more shameful cultural casualty of man’s inability to get along with his neighbor.

Stari Most Bridge

The bridge has been meticulously reconstructed to match the splendor of he old bridge. The bridges of Mostar are a treat to see and the Old Bridge Museum will give you a great perspective on the Stari Most Bridge’s long history. But, the real fun in Mostar is taking in the hundreds of small shops and stalls shoe horned into the maze of pedestrian lanes and alleys winding their way between medieval stone buildings. Expect to be shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other shoppers and gawkers enjoying the spectacle of it all.

And when you grow weary of bargain hunting and the sea of humanity competing for space in the alleys take a moment to enjoy some ultra strong Bosnian coffee or a mixed grill platter. The following are photos of both Kotor and Mostar as well as a sampling of their cuisine.