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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 11:56:59 GMT
About midway along the coast of Montenegro is a town called Budva. The area has been settled for about 2,500 years, from the Greeks, to the Romans, Byzantine Empire, Saracens, and so on through Italy in WWII, Yugoslavia and the country became independent in 2006. It is the main tourist destination in Montenegro and we were fortunate that even though the town was busy, the effects of Covid mean a lot fewer people than normal. The main attraction is the old town, mainly with Venetian walls, though many parts were destroyed in an earthquake in 1979 - but almost all of the buildings have been restored to their original form. Again, there are photos of alleyways and small lanes, but there are some of the buildings and views as well. The town is part of what is known at the Budva Riviera which is more ‘famous’ for the surrounding beaches and nightlife than the cultural aspects. Nevertheless, the attraction for us is not sitting on a beach all day then getting drunk at night (not any more at least) so our aim was to try and get a feel for just the town. More info can be found - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budva#Tourism |
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 11:58:21 GMT
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 11:59:37 GMT
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Post by bjd on Jul 2, 2021 13:40:15 GMT
When my son told me to go and see Kotor, he said, "Don't bother with Budva, it's just a resort and you have to pay to use the beach." I see there is more to it but the beaches don't look too nice -- all stones.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2021 14:44:16 GMT
In any case, construction firms in the area never need to ask the question "what are we going to use as building materials?"
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 15:23:26 GMT
bjd, I admit I've not been along the whole coast in that region, from Trieste to the Albanian border, but over the years I've been to Kopor, Rovinj, Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Makarska...........
Pebbles, big ones, small ones, very small grit type ones, rocky ones are the thing there. There must be a sandy beach or two, got to be, but I can't remember seeing any.
Mrs M was brought up going to these beaches and she hates sandy beaches. A beach to her, a proper one, does not have sand. Absolutely not.
The old city of Budva is nice, the rest of the more modern tourist places aren't so.
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 15:36:18 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2021 15:38:57 GMT
Even most of the Côte d'Azur has annoying pebble beaches. You have to continue west to find the sandy beaches in France and then in Spain. Yes, sand can be annoying when you have to wash it off, but it is so much easier on the body and feet.
Actually, since I actually never lie down on a beach, I didn't mind Malta, which had neither stand nor even pebbles -- just rocky outcrops.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 2, 2021 16:48:43 GMT
I thought the town looked very interesting and rather nice. As for a beach....I wouldn't be wasting my time lying looking up at nothing. Maybe a quick dip if that was the only option to cool off. The only beaches that appeal to me are tropical onces with snow white sand and crystal clear water....with little fishies swimming around me.  |
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 16:52:42 GMT
I'm all for sandy beaches. Even the East Coast of England, Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells (known as Jingle bells) has good beaches, if only the weather was better.
Tod, Nyali beach area, ever been? Lamu, Zanzibar etc?
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 2, 2021 18:19:50 GMT
You and me both tod. My beach days are now beach bar days!
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 2, 2021 18:36:13 GMT
Something like this tod?  |
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 19:26:26 GMT
That looks like Morne Rouge Beach near St George's in Grenada at about a quarter to two in the afternoon of Friday the 6th November 2015.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 2, 2021 19:29:27 GMT
That looks like Morne Rouge Beach near St George's in Grenada at about a quarter to two in the afternoon of Friday the 6th November 2015. Too clever for your own good... |
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 2, 2021 19:35:14 GMT
It was taken with an iPhone 6 by the way and for anyone who is unsure if I have made all that up, as I admit to having previous for doing so, I haven't.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 3, 2021 11:56:20 GMT
The beaches I have loved are Pipi Island, Comores island, and even the beautiful snow white sands and clear blue water of Tresco in the Scilly Isles.
Mick, beach bar rendezvous it is then!
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 3, 2021 12:12:44 GMT
To the right of my picture is a superb beach bar but I don’t have a picture! You’ll have to take my word for it.
Be there for rum punch at about 6 then?
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Post by tod2 on Jul 3, 2021 15:15:30 GMT
Its a date but order me a Singapore Sling!
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 3, 2021 15:45:22 GMT
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 3, 2021 16:47:05 GMT
Quite possibly. You know the area better than me though..
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 3, 2021 16:54:59 GMT
Remember this Mark? L  |
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 3, 2021 20:09:57 GMT
I've never been there Mick.
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Post by lugg on Jul 3, 2021 20:36:57 GMT
I love all your sparring ; certainly I am envious of anyone who has sat on that beach in Grenada .
But anyway back to Budva, it certainly looks a tourist hot spot but with plenty to discover behind the facade as you have shown us Mark. Maybe Ok for a side trip but not somewhere to base yourself I guess. I have heard that Budva is known as the Russian Magaluf / San Antonio
But the Montenegro coast does have a history of glamour, I cannot remember where but know it was the haunt of film stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren in the 50s / 60s ? I don't think it was Budva but somewhere close ?
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Post by bjd on Jul 4, 2021 8:42:04 GMT
I also heard that Budva was popular with Russian tourists. It does look like a place to get lost in -- all those little streets look similar.
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