27 November 2018 - According to preliminary data, total tourism revenue will exceed 1 billion euros, Prime Minister Duško Marković said in the Parliament of Montenegro, adding that Montenegro has been setting tourism records one after the other.

"This means that our tourism industry develops, acquires new knowledge and competencies and becomes competitive in the region and beyond. Furthermore, this year we have witnessed that the postseason lasted considerably longer than previous years, i.e., that it lasted practically until the beginning of November, which is just another step towards achieving our goal of Montenegro becoming a year-round tourist destination," said the Prime Minister.

Speaking about tourism, PM Marković also stressed that in the past two years of the Government's mandate, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism had issued more than 60 building permits for 4 or 5-hotels. 

"I have to express my satisfaction with the dynamics of major projects in tourism: Porto Montenegro, Luštica Bay, Porto Novi, but also a series of smaller, equally high-quality initiatives, namely Iberostar hotels in Njivice and Perast, hotels Lazure in Meljine, as well as those in Ulcinj, such as the Karizma Hotels Group's projects on the Great Beach. However, the Government also invests in tourist capacities in the north of our country, and an investment in the large ski resort in Bjelasica continues. By the end of 2020, about EUR 70 million will be invested there. I expect that the "Kolašin 1600" sky centre will accept the first tourists in the coming days," Prime Minister Duško Marković noted. He concluded by saying that he is satisfied with the tourist season and the derived economic benefits, adding that he believes that we can do more and do better.

27 November 2018 - "The young people are our most important capital, and the Government is working every day to improve the conditions of studying, improve the quality of higher education and its harmonisation with the needs of the market," Minister of Sports Nikola Janović said at the opening of the European Student Union's Board Meeting 75. 

The Minister said that the Government's efforts will consequently increase the employment of young people and educated people, and confirm that education is appreciated and that knowledge pays off. 

"At the end of this process - our ambition is not hidden - Montenegrin youth will stay in Montenegro and contribute to its development in a manner consistent with global aspirations. This is, after all, one of the most important tasks that Prime Minister Duško Marković has set before the Government and institutions, to which the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Education made a high-quality contribution during the two-year mandate of the 41st Government of Montenegro," Minister Janović stressed. 

Speaking about the European Student Union, the Minister said that the organisation which operates in 39 member states and gathers 20 million students has become the bearer of the struggle for better conditions of education, employment and improvement of student standards. "I believe that in the near future you will reach the expectations that you have set before you and your associations," the Minister said. 

27 November 2018 - Around 50 international students from partner universities spend one academic year at the University of Montenegro through mobility programs. As the University reports, the majority of students come from Poland, Portugal, and Romania.

“Foreign students are usually interested in the Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Philology, Art Academy and Faculty of Political Sciences. They usually stay in dormitories,” said the representatives of the University of Montenegro.

A user of one of such programs, Beatriz Santos Boa, from Portugal, talks about her experience in the country.

“I am a post-graduate in the field of political sciences and international relations. This place seemed to be a very safe country to live. I am delighted with my choice,” says Beatriz.

The best part as she says is that she learned more about the history of the country and its politics.

“In Portugal, the Balkans is not in the focus of attention, and therefore, coming to Montenegro was a lesson,” says Beatriz.

She has stayed in the country for five months, maximum period offered by the Erasmus program, but she fell in love with the country and she plans to come back.

“I would recommend Montenegro to every foreign student, since it is a beautiful country, with kind people, willing to help. Language barrier might be a problem, but with time, that can be resolved too. We managed to communicate effectively with the use of English and very limited knowledge of Montenegrin language,” says Beatriz.

Finally, Beatriz says that her stay in Montenegro was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

27 November 2018 - Tourist organization Kotor, accompanied by the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, local tourism organizations and representatives of the tourist industry, participated at the tourism fair "TT Warsaw", which took place from November 22 to 24 in Warsaw, Poland. International Tourism Fair TT Warsaw was held for the 26th time, and it is one of the most important international events of the tourism industry in Poland. In addition to TO Kotor, the local tourist organizations of Ulcinj, Bar, Budva, Cetinje, Tivat, and Podgorica, as well as HG "Budva Riviera", "Montenegro Stars Hotel Group", HTP "Trend Korali" and "Karisma hotels Adriatic Montenegro" also participated.

The first day of the fair, the Montenegrin Stand was visited by Robert Markić, Counselor at the Embassy of Montenegro in Warsaw. At the same time, meetings were held with some of the most important Polish tour operators such as Itaka and Neckerman, as well as interviews with Polish media. During the fair, the organization "Montenegrin Evenings" in Warsaw was held - B2B / media gathering with representatives of the NTO Montenegro, the Montenegrin tourism industry and local tourist organizations. Poland's market for Montenegro is significant considering that according to the number of tourists that visited Montenegro, it is among the most present when it comes to European countries.

In the previous period, there was a steady increase in tourist traffic from this market. Compared to 2010, the number of Polish tourists in Montenegro almost tripled in 2017. Among the Polish tour operators who have represented Montenegro, the most important ones are Itaka, Rainbow tours, TUI, Neckermann, and others.

Also, specialized tour operators from this market have a package of arrangements for Montenegro, which means staying in Montenegro within the framework of the visit to the region. In the upcoming period, an increase in the number of tourists from the Polish market is expected, according to the announced flights and a more extended period of realization.

The national Polish airline LOT will carry out flights between Warsaw-Podgorica-Warsaw during the winter season with four rotations per week.

26 November 2018 - Deputy Prime Minister Rafet Husović hosted an inaugural visit by Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to Montenegro Mihajlo Trpkovski. DPM Husović welcomed Ambassador Trpkovski and expressed readiness for cooperation to further improve the good relations between Montenegro and Macedonia. 

Ambassador Trpkovski thanked him for a warm welcome and expressed his satisfaction that he is in a friendly and beautiful country. The Ambassador informed Deputy Prime Minister Husović of the current political situation in Macedonia and their commitment to start the process of Euro-Atlantic integration, in which Montenegro has already moved far. 

The two officials agreed that there is room for additional cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of tourism and agriculture.

Deputy Prime Minister also hosted a farewell visit by Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Montenegro Serhat Galip. 

DPM Husović pointed to the excellent cooperation with Ambassador Galip and thanked him for his contribution to the deepening of great relations between the two countries. He particularly referred to the support of the Republic of Turkey when Montenegro joined NATO, which was of great importance to Montenegro. 

Ambassador Galip thanked DPM Husović for good cooperation. He expressed the expectation that such cooperation will continue with the new Ambassador who will take office at the beginning of next year. 

The meeting noted that Montenegro and Turkey foster excellent relations in all areas and that in the coming period intensification of economic cooperation is expected through the investments of Turkish companies, especially in the north of Montenegro.

26 November 2018 - Construction works on the bridge Moračica, the most demanding and complex facility on the priority section of the Bar-Boljare motorway, are being performed in line with the planned schedule.

There are around 150 workers on the construction site being engaged every single day.

China’s CRBC Company assessed the construction of the Moračica Bridge spanning structure will require around 30,000 cubic meters of concrete and over 5,000 tons of metal framework.

The most complex facility on the first section of the highway Bar-Boljari will be finished by April 2019.

“Because of its height, range, use of formwork, the bridge connects in the air. We are going to do console construction of the main carrier. We are going to lay concrete on both sides of pillars, simultaneously. Everything has to be balanced,” said Ivana Maksimović earlier this year, from the Department of technical preparation in Section I.

She also added that the bridge has been designed in such a way that it meets all standards and noted that if the speed of the wind reaches the limit that the company will stop the works. 

Apart from this one, 19 more bridges will be built at the 41-kilometer long section.

Total Montenegro News wrote about the start of the works here and you can read more about Moračica bridge recent works here.

26 November 2018 - Skadar Lake is the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula and is located in the western Balkans, on the border between Montenegro and Albania, south of the Dinaric Alps. It is very specific, not only for its landscapes but also for its rich and dynamic history which created a special spirit of the people living along its shores.

The gastronomy of this area is largely identified with the Mediterranean gastronomy. However, the local products and cuisine are known for their simplicity and clear territorial identity which are common to both northern Albania and south of Montenegro. The mixture of high quality meat, especially veal and lamb; lake fish such as carp, eels, bleak and grey mullet; humble and yet fresh dairy products such as goat, cow and sheep cheese and yoghurt; delicious fruit and vegetables grown in this territory such as okra, aubergines, onion, tomatoes and figs, pomegranates, grapes and alike provide something for travellers to look forward to discovering! Here are the recommendations of places you should not miss this winter within the Skadar Lake Region (Montenegro), provided by the Ethno-gastronomic Route.

1. Pelikan Hotel Restaurant

Guests of the hotel and restaurant Pelikan can enjoy excellent service, comfortable accommodation, and a typical lake menu. This hotel/restaurant is located in the main square of the old town of Virpazar at Skadar Lake. The pleasant owners of Pelikan, Zorka and Toman are especially proud of a traditional room called “odžaklija” which is filled with many old and traditional items for guests to see. Hotel services include comfortable accommodation - double and triple rooms – featuring all the essential amenities such as modern bathing and shower facilities, air conditioning, and TV. The hotel and restaurant are open all year round, and there is plenty of parking available nearby.

2. Posljednja Luka Restaurant

Restaurant Posljednja Luka is located in the beautiful town of Rijeka Crnojevića. Guests can enjoy lake fish specialties prepared by the pleasant host Dragan and his mother. The design of this restaurant is of the fishermen’s motif. There is a balcony with superb views of the vicinity. This restaurant located at Skadar Lake offers interesting lake excursions and fishing trips. This restaurant is open all year, every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and can accommodate around 60 guests. Parking is available.

3. Stari Most Restaurant

Restaurant Stari Most is located in a beautiful setting in the small town of Rijeka Crnojevića, near the old historic bridge. Visitors will enjoy the ambience within the restaurant which combines traditional Montenegrin features with modern design elements. The restaurant can accommodate up to 100 guests and includes a section dedicated to wines from both the region and abroad. A group lunch can be arranged upon request. This restaurant is famous for its fish specialties. Restaurant Stari Most is open every day throughout the year from noon to 10 p.m. Parking is available.

4. Niagara Restaurant

Nikola Ujkić is the owner of the unique restaurant Niagara, located near natural waterfalls on the shore of the river Cijevna. Guests can enjoy the inviting ambiance of this restaurant while tasting local Montenegrin specialties. This kind host is a livestock farmer, so all of the meat and dairy products used in the restaurant kitchen come from his large farm nearby. Nikola is also a producer of wine and brandy so that guests may enjoy a glass of these domestically prepared beverages as well. This restaurant is open all year round. Plenty of parking is available on the premises.

5. Votra Tavern

Votra is a beautiful tavern located in the center of Ostros. Visitors can dine on delicious regional dishes prepared by hosts Bejto and his son Miljaim. The tavern is decorated using rustic, ethno style design elements, and includes a display of many valuable ethnographic items from the region. The menu is mostly meat and fish based, along with chestnut desserts and other sweets typical for this area. The hosts can arrange a hiking tour on Mt. Rumija and a visit to some nearby historical sites. Tavern Votra is open all year – daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking space is available.

6. Badanj Tavern

Tavern Badanj is located on the shore of Shkodër / Skadar Lake, just a few meters from the water, near an old bridge in the beautiful historic town of Virpazar. This tavern includes two summer garden dining areas and two interior dining rooms. Owner Nenad Petranović has a clear grasp on local traditions. The tavern provides a welcoming dining experience, a cozy atmosphere, the sounds of old traditional music, and a menu with mouthwatering dishes, local homemade wine, and brandy. The tavern is open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There are plenty of parking spots available.

7. Crmnički Vinotok Tavern

Jovan Dabović is the owner of TerryDab tourist agency and the tavern Crmnički Vinotok in Virpazar. One area of the restaurant/tavern is a dining room which seats 16 persons and is decorated with antique furnishings; its walls are adorned with about 150 bottles of premium wine from producers in the Crmnica region. The second section of the tavern is a dining room which can seat 44 guests. The tavern provides delicious, homemade fish specialties. Mr. Dabović’s offer also includes accommodation services in the apartments located near this tavern. Tavern Crmnički Vinotok and the tourist agency TerryDab are open daily throughout the year. Parking is available.

26 November 2018 - Breakfast – “the most important meal of the day,” is that one meal that you start your day with that gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus and be more productive. Many studies have linked eating breakfast to good health, improved attainment and behaviour and improved productivity. During a busy morning, it is easy to let breakfast fall low in your list of priorities, so if you do not have time to prepare your breakfast while in Kotor, here are some of the best breakfast restaurants you should not miss!

1. Astoria

Astoria is an excellent restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere, good service, and great food! This place is upscale cooking will definitely leave an impression on you, and you can dine while enjoying the fantastic view over the sea. The prices are reasonable, and the food is carefully prepared and decorated for your enjoyment and stay in Kotor. Astoria serves mostly Mediterranean cuisine, with vegan and gluten-free options. Our breakfast recommendations include Egg benedict breakfast, American pancakes, and their delicious pies!

2. Gastro Pub 702

The delicious menu at Gastro Pub 702 will most certainly have you craving for food at any time of the day, not just the morning! The Pub is famous for its welcoming ambience, helpful staff, and delicious food. Locals and foreigners are usually surprised by the size of the portions, even though Montenegro is famous for its “food plate generosity.” Club sandwich in the morning will make sure you have the energy to stroll through the streets of Kotor in no time!

3. Mademoiselle Dine & Wine Lounge

Open all year round, Mademoiselle Dine & Wine Lounge is a perfect place to enjoy your meal. With delicious food and fantastic ambiance and location, you will not be disappointed. The staff is friendly, and they give great recommendations on the menu choices and the local landmarks. If it’s not too early to get a cheese board in the morning, that would be our first recommendation. The Lounge is also recognisable by delicious desserts – not something you want to miss on!

4. Caffe Pizzeria Đardin

Đardin offers a gorgeous view over the bay and delicious food. The waiters are attentive and kind, and the prices are reasonable. They offer a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans, which is not very common with restaurants offering Italian, seafood and European cuisine. The restaurant is famous for its homemade traditional cake “Peraska cake”, so if you enjoy sweets in the morning, have the tastiest bite right next to the shore!

5. Restaurant Conte

If you’re looking for a beautiful setting, high-class meal and professional service, visiting Conte Restaurant is a must! With a beautiful ocean-side view, you will be pampered by the attentive staff. Relaxing atmosphere is just what you need in the morning, as you enjoy a tasty meal prepared with fresh ingredients. Our breakfast recommendation would be a colorful Greek salad!

25 November 2018 - Herceg Novi is a gorgeous coastal town in Montenegro located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. Known as “The City of Sun” for its numerous sunny days all year round, Herceg Novi is often recognizable by beautiful mimosa flowers that bloom throughout the city towards the end of January. This enchanting and picturesque town offers exciting trips, tours and entertainment for tourist, and here are our top 5 things and recommendations for this winter!

1. Take a Tour through the Herceg Novi Old Town

Old Town Herceg Novi is the centre of the city and a charming district surrounded by limestone walls. Even though you have to walk the stairs to get to get the full impression of the tall stone buildings, the fortress, town square, city museum and a lot of family-run shops and small cafes, it will be worth your effort! In winter, which can be characterised as mild in Herceg Novi, the Old Town turns from busy to a quiet place, and you can explore it in a whole new manner. You definitely shouldn’t miss exploring the Citadel, Forte Mare, Tower of St. Jerome, Nikole Đurkovića Square, Belavista Square, the Clock Tower, Kanli Kula, and the Fort Španjola!

2. Visit the Savina Winery Cellar

At the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, by the Savina Monastery, sun-soaked vineyards throughout the year are still bearing fruit like they did back in the 18th century. This family-run winery has carefully picked the finest grapes from their vineyard and has nurtured the wine in french oak barrels in their gorgeous estate cellar. Savina Winery has two hectares with international grape varietals (Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Chardonnay) and one indigenous white varietal, Žižak (zhizhak). The vineyards are located in the best part of the estate, with southern exposition and with a spectacular view over the sea. Their wines are characterized as light and breezy, with a summer style. If you want a glimpse of the vinyard and the cellar, you can book a private tour accompanied by wine tasting and matching local bites and have a splendid experience!

3. Have a Great Meal at the Old Wine House Montenegro

Ethno house "Old Wine House Montenegro" is situated in a gorgeous rural setting of Sasovići, above Zelenika, in an old house dating from 1689, owned by Šimrak family. The ethno house has kept the tradition of producing wine, juice, olive oil, bread, vegetables, fruits and all other necessary food for the household and the restaurant. It offers traditional cuisine and dishes prepared in an old-fashioned way also known as "under the sač.” As the ethno house is family-owned, the owners kept the traditional recipes and hospitality of their ancestors, as they provide an authentic atmosphere accompanied by urban traditional folk music.

4. Night Out at Prostorija (English: "The Room")

Prostorija is a great place to visit if youre looking for a night on the town. Opened on the stairs to the marine, a decade long place of alternative culture, Prostorija has a concept which is proven as one of the critical toponyms of Herceg Novi's independent art scene, but also the culture of urban life. In the bar, the sound and program are based on several musical styles, among which are African, Latin jazz and funky house.

5. Enjoy Wellness Treatments at Institute "Dr Simo Milošević"

Dr Simo Milošević is primarily an institute for physical medicine, rehabilitatiton, and rheumatology. It is one of the largest and the most famous institutions for a multidisciplinary spa treatment in the Balkans. It is a pioneer of the modern physical and preventive medicine, rehabilitation, talasotherapy, and wellness, and it became one of the leading international centers for rehabilatation of children, adults, and seniors. Besides the prevention program and health rehabilitation, Institute Igalo also offers wellness and recreational programs, which primarily rely on modern medical principals. These programs are devoted to the promotion of a healthy way of living, correction of bad living habits, and just enjoying the benefits of aromatherapies, massages and face, body and soul pampering treatments.