Greek Isles Cruise: Kotor, Montenegro

This year was designated an "in-law" Thanksgiving celebration, and since Bob and I already had travel plans outside the country, we planned to spend our 2018 Thanksgiving on a Greek Isle Cruise.  Bob flew into Venice from Dubai where he had been working, and I arrived from France after spending time with the Johnsons in Paris.  We took a bus from the airport to the cruise port and on November 17, boarded Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas.  We would arrive in Kotor, Montenegro the next afternoon.  Cruising through the long Gulf of Kotor was one of the most scenic arrivals to any port we've ever been.

Kotor is one of the oldest and most picturesque destinations in Montenegro, and the medieval town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We were excited to hike the Austro-Hungarian trail up to St. John's Fortress which dates back to the 6th century.  We walked across the town and outside the left fortress wall and found the remote trail-head which would zig-zag up the mountain to the left and behind the fortress walls.  Look closely at the first photo to see the fortress wall at the base of the mountain which ascends along the ridge to the ruins of St. John's fortress.  A smaller wall to the right zig-zags up the mountain from the center of town, passing a tall church and meeting up with the fortress wall. (That is the path most traveled.)

 It was a beautiful hike and we were nearly alone on the trail.  We passed a small home with goats and the ruins of the Madonna Della Salute Church before reaching the old fortress walls.  

Wow!  What an incredible view!  From there we joined the tourists who were climbing the remainder of the 1,350 stairs to the fortress. 

We had a little time that evening to wander through the narrow cobble stoned medieval streets of Kotor.  There were lots of cute shops selling all kinds of unique goods.  We were drawn to the Santa's which are carved and painted by select artisans of Montenegro, and found a cute one to adopt as our own.  I also bought a silver charm - which really has nothing to do with Kotor, but was all I found.  The dress shoe with wings will remind me of this enchanting, elegant port town where my prince charming once again, stole my heart.

 Isn't it cool how the fortress wall lights up at night and creates a "ring of fire" around Kotor?!  This is one destination that I would have loved to visit for several days.  So glad we came!