Good day,

This will be brief but wanted to check in with you quickly before I check out of my hotel. I’ve been on the Budva Riviera for nearly a week now and the time has just flown by; to say I love it here would be an incredible understatement. In the short time I’ve been here I’ve got to experience so many different things but above all else, I just like the vibe, people, lifestyle and surreal scenery…

I like it here so much that later today I’m going to look at an apartment and possibly stay for a month. I’ve got some work I want to do and can’t think of a more beautiful and inspiring spot to base myself for a bit to get down to business. The town of Budva is without a doubt the hub of the Budva Riviera but this stretch along the Adriatic Sea has numerous smaller villages and towns all with their own character.

While here in Montenegro I’ve had the pleasure of going rafting in the Tara Canyon, boating in Skadar Lake, bicycling in Perast and visited countless other places as well including Kotor, Podgorica, some villages high in the hills above the Budva Riviera, monasteries, Sveti Stefan and more. I’ve been lucky and staying at Avala Hotel & Villas which is basically at the base of Budva’s old town. In the evenings this old town comes alive and people from all over the world pour into its tight streets to enjoy some solid seafood and nightlife.

There is a bar called Jef which is not to be missed in the heart of old town; it’s popular among locals and tourists. At 10:30pm it starts to fill and by 10:45pm you’d be lucky to find a seat. It’s got great music and a contagious vibe; all my nights out in old town have ended there and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Tonight is the opening night of an open air bar called Top Hill which is, well, on top of a hill overlooking Budva. This bar was recommended to me by several people before I even arrived and thrilled to be going.

Tomorrow I’m off to Petrovac for an evening which is a town in the Budva Riviera. I’ve visited it before briefly and if you do go, look into the seaside restaurant called Katic. I had one of the best meals in recent memory there involving squid ink risotto and a grilled catch of the day but more on that later. I’m transferring into an apartment in old town once finished writing this where I’ll be spending the night. What I’m shocked about is that it took me this long to come back to the Balkans, what was I thinking?!

Much more on Budva and the rest of Montenegro later…

FYI – I was invited to the Budva Riviera by Budva Travel but obviously all thoughts are mine as they always have been and always will be. The trip ended yesterday but I’m staying here longer as I’m in no mood to leave.

Tips hat,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlqYvzuRdVA