Of course, no one buys real estate on the Adriatic coast specifically to come here in the low season, but once the purchase is made, it's a sin not to take advantage of the opportunity to visit Montenegro in the low season. Of course, you will not have to swim, but still it is much warmer here in comparison not only with Russia, but also with the super-popular Bulgaria. At least, if we compare the climate on the sea coasts.
January is considered the coldest month in Montenegro, when the temperature on the coast in bad weather sometimes drops below +4 °C, while on windless sunny days the air by the sea warms up to +15 °C. This weather is reminiscent of warm April or cool May in Moscow.
At the same time, in Montenegro, you can easily change the nature of your vacation, quickly moving from one climatic zone to another. While the sea is warm and the sun is shining, it may snow in Cetinje, a city located in a mountain valley half an hour from the coast," says Jasna Pekic, director of the Adriatic Style Group. According to Maria Zhukova, CEO of MediumLine, the journey from the coast to the ski resort takes a maximum of a couple of hours by car, while the flight from Moscow to Montenegro itself takes no more than three hours.
Unlike Bulgaria, the Montenegrin coast is easily accessible in winter. The national carrier Montenegro Airlines also operates regular flights from Moscow to Podgorica and Tivat three times a week in winter – a round-trip ticket costs about 350 euros. S7 Airlines operates flights to Tivat on Saturdays.
For health and culture
In winter, tourists in Montenegro become much less, Russian speech is no longer heard on every corner, as in summer. The composition of visitors is changing.
Firstly, in winter you can meet here those who work in Montenegro or with Montenegrins – and often in the real estate sector.
Secondly, they are coming here to improve their health. "From November to spring, the concentration of ozone in the Montenegrin air is increased, so people come here to treat bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases," says Nina Volkova, director of the Department of Foreign Real Estate at TradeUnique.
The third reason to visit the country in the low season is the numerous architectural monuments. Such as the medieval city of Kotor, included not only in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but also in the mandatory program of any European tourist. Or the old town of Budva, or the ancient capital of the country – Cetinje. "Budva is very comfortable in winter, all restaurants and shops are open. It's nice and easy to wander through the narrow winding streets of the old town," says Nina Volkova. It is possible to study the ancient Balkan history, numerous conquests, cultural influences for a long time: there are about 20 medieval cities on the territory of a small country. But there are also nature reserves and religious monuments.
Skiing
Local winter mountain landscapes are compared with Swiss views, although so far there are only two ski centers in Montenegro – Kolasin at the foot of the Belasica massif and Zabljak in the Durmitor mountains.
Neither one nor the other is yet ready to receive a large number of foreign skiers, but local residents, and sometimes skiers from Russia, are happy to spend their winter holidays here.
Montenegrins themselves prefer Zhablyak – it is believed that during one week spent at this resort, the blood composition is completely updated. The city is located in the area of the Durmitor National Park, the main attraction of which are 18 glacial lakes. The trails in Zabljak are more difficult than in Kolasin, some of them are called extreme.
But it's difficult to plan a vacation in advance here: no one will take it upon themselves to predict when snow will fall and whether it will be enough for good skiing. In 2005, 3-4 m of snow fell at once, because of this it was difficult to get to the slopes, but it happens otherwise. "Last year, snow fell in the mountains only in the last decade of December," says Maria Zhukova. – When the ski season starts this year, no one can say for sure."
There are not many good hotels here, but they still exist. Those who plan to celebrate the New Year at the ski resort should take into account that residents of the coastal regions of Montenegro also come here, so rooms should be booked in advance. Winter holidays here are the same as in Russia: In addition to the New Year, Montenegrins celebrate Christmas on January 7 and the Old New Year on January 14.
Holidays can be celebrated, and without leaving the coast, in local clubs and hotels. Nina Volkova believes that "it makes sense to celebrate the New Year in a Splendid hotel, then the holiday is fun and interesting – a gala dinner is arranged, artists come."
Montenegro or Monte Carlo?
A few words need to be said about what Montenegro does not have: there are no entertainment centers with bowling, billiards and play areas, and you will also not find multiplex cinemas and chain restaurants here. But it seems that this will not last long: the first large shopping and entertainment complex will open in Budva around May next year.
But there is a casino in Montenegro. After gambling establishments in Russia closed on July 1, gambling enthusiasts began to visit Budva. And the casino owners themselves transport their business (together with Russian staff) from Russia, including to Montenegro: it is clear that it is easier for a Muscovite or a St. Petersburg resident to get to the Balkans than to the Altai.
Another activity available all year round is shopping. There is a ferry from Italy to the Montenegrin city of Bar. Therefore, there are a lot of Italian–made things in Montenegro's stores - designer clothes, shoes and bags at prices much lower than Moscow. Experts recommend boldly going into small shops where the chance to buy a "native" Roberto Cavalli is no less than in the homeland of the famous fashion designer.
Montenegro Lines ferries depart daily from the Italian cities of Bari and Ancona, the whole journey takes about 10 hours, ticket prices start from 50 euros.
