10 November 2018 - On the occasion of the conference of the European Capitals of Culture and meetings of the new edition of Unity in Diversity, the President of the Kotor Municipality Vladimir Jokić paid an official visit to Florence at the invitation of the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, last week, and attended a joint gathering of representatives of cities of Europe.

Unity in Diversity represents a platform undersigned by Mayors from over 60 countries, which collects Mayors from all over the world that are willing to listen to and talk about culture, media, democracy, arts, education, science and research for the purpose of peaceful coexistence and progress of citizens. The conference is supported by a number of high representatives, international experts and opinion makers, artists, journalists, students, Academy Award-winning actors, scientists, Nobel laureates, religious leaders, delegates and many others who are ready to discuss actions in terms of public administration and decision making, and order to build a better future.

The opening of this year's Conference was attended by Italian Minister of Culture Alberto Bonisoli, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics and the Mayors and representatives of more than 40 different cities.

During the opening of the manifestation, Italian Minister of Culture Alberto Bonisoli noted that "this conference is held in the context of the European Year of Cultural Heritage". This conference was the perfect spot for networking and exchanging the best practices of the European Capitals of Culture cities regarding the preservation of cultural heritage.

The mayor of Kotor has received a formal invitation from the Mayor of Florence because Kotor has been recognized in the world as the Capital of Culture in Montenegro. Kotor has managed to preserve its distinctiveness through a number of unique manifestations and events such as the fashianda, winter and summer carnival, Boka night, Kotor Children Theater festival, Kotor Art Festival, Refresh festival, Searock festival and many others. This city devotedly cultivates the idea that it is a city that belongs to the world's cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO, enjoys an international reputation, brings together great artists from around the world, and attracts a wide range of audiences with its quality and diversity.

At the conference, the Mayor presented Kotor, its cultural and historical heritage, and also expressed Kotor's readiness for cooperation with other cities in the fields of culture and tourism. President Jokić met with the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, and invited him to visit Kotor in the coming year to mark the 40th anniversary of the day when Kotor was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Unity in Diversity aims to build a network that will support and implement specific projects, in particular, those focused on supporting cultural heritage protection, cities' resilience and sustainable development, to facilitate actions directly generated by the needs and ambitions of the local community.

08 November 2018 - The people of Herceg Novi, as well as their guests, will be able to enjoy the 2019 New Year in the open air. Organized by Tourist Organization and Municipality of Herceg Novi, a multi-day programme with rich accompanying contents is being prepared, along with the magnificent New Year's celebration in 2019, both at the location of the Youth Park - Igalo, and the Škver. The programme will be adapted to various musical tastes, so New Year's Eve will mark the hits of Riblja Čorba, Jelena Rozga, Sergej Ćetković, performances by Ljuba Stanković and many DJs.

The people of Herceg Novi and their guests will enjoy the hits of the Belgrade rock band "Riblja Čorba" and their frontman Bora Đorđević. They will perform on stage in Igalo on December 31st from 11 PM and as an intro band "Light under the black mountain" will start from 9 PM. On the same stage, the night before, December 30th, the Croatian pop singer Jelena Rozga and the winner of Pink's Stars Ljuba Stanković will create a great atmosphere starting from 12 PM, when the "Children's New Year" will be also organized.

A particularly interesting programme is being prepared for the youngest with the children's theater play "Enchanted Santa Claus". On January 1st, the show is reserved for the performance of the biggest domestic music star, Sergej Ćetković, while the band "Toć" will be an intro band. This, however, is only part of what people of Herceg Novi and guests can expect during the New Year holidays.

On 31 December and January 1, Škver will bring the sounds of electronic music, or more precisely the performances of popular DJs, while the daily parties will be organised as well during the New Year's holidays. Also, with the engagement of music stars from the former Yugoslavia, along with large, well-known hits and fireworks, Herceg Novi will proceed in the most beautiful way in New Year 2019.

06 November 2018 - A modern multimedia web presentation that, like the new visual identity of the institution, was based on guidelines of branding and strengthening the institution as a whole, was recently promoted as the new internet presentation of the Museums of Kotor - the Museum of Perast, Lapidarium, Church of St. Pavle, Solidarity Gallery, Small and Large Grudge, as well as the other heritage under the authority of the Museums of Kotor.

The internet presentation of the cultural treasure which the heritage guarded under the Museums of Kotor has been based on the model of the leading regional web portals intended for culture and museum activity, keeping the modern aesthetic and technical internet categories, with the utmost respect for the principles of originality and belonging to the Mediterranean cultural circle.

The multilingualism of this presentation is also a significant step forward, but also a valuable rarity among the cultural institutions of this region, because the complete content, including news, can be followed in English, Italian and Russian in addition to the Montenegrin language. This feature of the official website of the institution is valuable because of the more contentious presentation of valuable cultural heritage and the promotion of international cooperation, and the importance of attracting foreign visitors and strengthening the commercial segment of the institution with the aim of its self-sustainability.

Comprehensive service information is available to interested visitors, experts and users of the institution's premises, and in order to comply with legal obligations and transparency of work on the site, relevant data on public procurement and anti-corruption documents are also available.

The official website was made by the renowned company Implementacija d.o.o. in cooperation with the professional staff of the Museums of Kotor.

Internet presentation of Museums of Kotor is available for all guests and you can read more about it here.

04 November 2018 - One of the most popular British newspapers - The Guardian, recently posted an article about charming European cities that are perfect for a late summer or early autumn getaway and can be placed on the list of 10 best alternative city breaks in Europe. The article provides insight into the landmarks which highlight the history, culture and the lifestyle within the listed cities. Also, the list covers the best places to eat, drink and soak in the whole atmosphere during the perfect getaway.

The Guardian added the Capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, to the list of European cities with rich historic architecture, beautiful scenery and culture without the crowds. “You may remember this city as Titograd, or perhaps Ribnica, Doclea or Zeta. Podgorica is one of Europe’s newest capitals but its history, under various monikers, goes back to the second century BC. Nowadays it is a hotch-potch of architectural styles, including some atmospheric fragments of Ottoman days and the Austro-Hungarian empire,” says the Guardian's article.

While explaining the experiences a person can gain while travelling through Podgorica, the writer of the article stated: “It may look small and unprepossessing at first sight but, with a bit of determination, you’ll discover a vibrant cafe scene, good local food and drink, plus some lovely walks around town. Try boza, a low-alcohol wheat beer whose origins date to the Ottoman era, at the Korzo bar in the city centre. Feto is the place for some excellent cheese and spinach burek, while Pod Volat attracts a local crowd for its ćevapi, a kind of skinless minced meat sausage.” The article also gives insight into great possibilities of excursions through Montenegro, since the weather is still pleasantly sunny in October and the beaches and the mountains are only a couple of hours away.

The article also gives the readers useful information about how to reach the country and accommodation conditions: the best way to reach the country is by airplane – “Ryanair flies from Stansted from £64 return. Montenegro Hostel is basic but affordable, with beds from €9 and doubles from €25. It also organises tours.”

04 November 2018 - The National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, local tourism organizations and the country’s tourism industry, will present the Montenegrin tourist offer at the 39th World Travel Market, which is held in London from 5-7 November.

The delegation of Montenegro is led by the Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Pavle Radulović, State Secretary for Tourism, Damir Davidović and Director of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, Željka Radak Kukavičić.

World Travel Market is the world's most significant tourism markets, which gathers more than 51,000 travel professionals from 38 sectors of the world's tourism industry, including government representatives, tourism organizations, airlines, hotels and hotel groups, tour operators and travel agencies, PR and media houses and others.

One of the features of this market is the Ministerial Summit, organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which will take place on Tuesday, November 6, on the topic "Investment in innovation and smart management for tourism". Minister Pavle Radulović will participate at this summit, which represents an opportunity for leaders in the field of tourism from the public and private sectors, to share knowledge and explore opportunities for investment in tourism technology.

With 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries around the world, World Travel Market is a key meeting point for global tourism industry participants and a unique platform for establishing new and strengthening existing business links, establishing cooperation with key decision makers in the field of travel and getting acquainted with current trends and news in the tourism industry.

By participating in this fair, the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro aims to present the destination to potential partners, contribute to the strengthening of the image of Montenegro as a tourist destination and better positioning, both in the UK market and in the global travel industry in general.

Read more about World Travel Market in London here.

01 November 2018 - Within a four-day visit to Montenegro, Herceg Novi hosted the leaders of 11 renowned tour operators from China over the past week. This study visit organized by the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro was initiated by the European Commission for Travel, in cooperation with the tourist organizations of Serbia and Romania.

As reported by the Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi, during their stay in the town, guests from China visited the villa "Galeb" and, thanks to the guide Alen Filipović, they went to the residence of Josip Broz Tito. After that, they visited the old town and visited the Forte Mare Fortress. Alongside Tourist Organization Herceg Novi, the study group from China was hosted by "Lazure Hotel & Marina", where they stayed overnight.

Despite the rainy weather, Herceg Novi has made a special impression on tour operators from China who are fascinated by the natural and cultural beauty, as well as the city's position, as noted by the Tourist Organization Herceg Novi.

This is the second study group that traveled to Montenegro in the past few weeks since Polish Tour Operators recently visited Bar, Kotor and Ulcinj.

01 November 2018 - Autumn in Montenegro has so many advantages: it is warmer than spring and more pleasant than the hot Mediterranean summer. Travelling is more comfortable because there are no summer queues and crowds. The holiday means relaxing in peace and quiet and hearing the sounds of the magnificent nature. Even if you forget the sounds of the sea, lakes, and rivers or birds songs you will certainly not forget pictures of a variety of Montenegrin hors-d'oeuvres and autumn landscapes. Profusion, intensity and a combination of colours in the countryside, where a major part of the land is covered with forests sometimes seem unrealistic.

You must see the rainforest of Biogradska gora and Biogradsko Lake in autumn, and you certainly should not miss the Bjelasica Mount covered by the leaves of the most splendid warm colours in early fogs.

There is a wide variety of accommodation facilities, food, roads and activities you can try out at any time of the year, including autumn. You can swim in the Adriatic Sea usually until the end of October. Even though many beach bars are closed, old medieval towns and coastal villages live their quiet, slow and pleasant lives. Hotels, suites and restaurants will satisfy all your needs. The national cuisine is best at this time of the year.

The advantages of the “Indian summer”, which is a common occurrence in the Mediterranean, are well known and used by business people who plan their business meetings usually at this time of the year and opt for excellent conditions they can find on the coast of Montenegro.

Apart from students excursions, autumn days are ideal for all road trip fans – bikers and campers. Besides staying in small mountain hotels and mountain lodges, fans of active holidays in nature can also be accommodated in eco-villages and can use services of experienced guides.

These are all the reasons why you should come to discover a totally different Montenegro – not a blue and crowded, or snowy country full of adrenaline, but a gentle and mysterious country so fascinating that it looks like a forest fairy smiling at you, hiding behind the trees attracting you to follow her deep in the forest.

It is not by chance that this country has always been a cradle of heroes, fairies and dragons, fairy tales and legends. And we all know that fairy tales and legends are born in autumn fogs.

31 October 2018 - Many world countries have long assessed and understood the numerous advantages of bicycles as a means of transport and an active holiday. Under the great influence of European trends of improving sustainable transport, cycling activities begin to grow not only in Podgorica as the Capital, but throughout Montenegro.

Montenegro's amazing mountain landscapes and clear blue sea welcome all cycling fans in one of Europe's most thrilling cycling destinations. This is a place where cyclists can enjoy the most testing and exciting moments on a bike, but they can also feel a true sense of freedom as well. If you enjoy mountain trails, coastlines with the most amazing beaches, icy-cold rivers, fascinating sites and picturesque sceneries to explore, then you’re probably going to like cycling through the country.

So, what can you expect while cycling through Montenegro?

1. Gorgeous scenery over the Bay of Kotor and beyond!

While cycling through Montenegro, you can definitely enjoying its spectacular nature. Complete relaxation, rest and acquiring new energy awaits all those who seek to get to the most amazing viewpoints in the country. Great fun, adrenaline spikes, competitive excitement are just some of the thrills you might get to experience while exploring thousands of kilometres of hiking and biking trails.

2. Welcoming family-run hotels and delicious traditional dishes

Family-run hidden gems still exist in Montenegro, it’s up to you to just choose! Historic bed-and-breakfasts that have maintained their traditional vibe are common in Montenegro. In traditional hotels, rooms are usually peaceful and minimal, budget-friendly and followed by a morning chit-chat with personable hosts. You definitely do not want to miss any of the tastes of Montenegrin cuisine from the coast to the north! The tastes of the Mediterranean give you the holy trinity - fish, wine and olive oil accompanied by local wines. However, Northern Montenegro introduces you to the cuisine of highlanders, served on wooden trays: meat and potatoes under the sač, cheese, kačamak (Montenegrin polenta with cream cheese, cheese, potatoes) and prosciutto. This is all perfectly followed by homemade brandy – rakija.

3. Feeling the thrill of life on a bike

When the weather conditions are at their best, everything in Montenegro is crystal clear and bright – the air, the water, and the spirit and breath of the sea and the mountains. There are many places from which you can see breath-taking panoramas, amazing works of art in nature in five national parks, the pearls of the Bay of Kotor, coastal medieval cities, Cetinje the city – museum; visits to old wineries in Crmnica or staying in eco-villages – it is easy to get smitten with so many choices.

4. Steep mountain bike trails

If you challenge yourself to cycle on some of Montenegrin mountain trails, like Lovćen and Durmitor, be prepared for a challenge. Mountainous terrain comes with lots of climbs and scenic nature. Still, when you reach the mountain's viewpoints while sweaty and with your teeth clenched, it will feel like you're on top of the whole world. And, despite the pain and the fatigue, you will still smile and feel alive!

5. Narrow roads with traffic

To be honest, narrow lanes throughout Montenegro represent a huge problem for cyclists. When considering road cycling, the infrastructure for travellers on bikes is almost non-existent, and car drivers are not attentive enough. While riding on two wheels, you should definitely stay alert and keep your eyes wide open. The road surface in the country is mostly bad, and the lack of quality bike parking is a huge issue as well. The most common bike parking option throughout Montenegro is still the low-standing single wheel securing spirals.

6. Feel like renting a bike?

If you are looking to rent a bike, you need a document proving your identity: passport or driving license, in order to make the contract of lease of sports equipment. You should probably research rental companies and contact them before your arrival. Some rental companies ask for a cash deposit for each type of Sports Equipment. When returning the bicycle, if you have met all the terms of the lease and the operating rules, the deposit is fully refunded to you. The rental period of the Sports Equipment is usually counted in hours. The lessee bears full financial responsibility for the equipment.

7. Looking for the thrill of a campsite?

There is generally a large number of campsites throughout Montenegro, so you should be able to find one without much effort. If you feel like camping, you will find out that camping is really not an expensive option for your stay. However, not many campsites get improved over time, so do not have high expectations. It is also quite popular to ask for permission to put a camp on the local property. Still, you might get in a situation where they will charge you, or, if you get lucky, the locals can get very interested in your stories, and might invite you for a pleasant drink, delicious meal or even ask you to stay indoors.

October 31, 2018 - Valuable equipment donated by the Federal Police of Germany, which will be used at border crossings in Montenegro, will enable border police officers to provide faster and more efficient checks at border crossings and in the green border area, with a view of achieving even better results in combating all forms of cross-border crime.

October 28, 2018 - Kostanjada is a traditional gastro-cultural manifestation aimed at highlighting the chestnut woods, a valuable segment of the natural heritage of Boka Bay, whose roots go back to the ancient times.