The Old Fisherman's Cottage is a wonderful stone property right by the sea in the lovely village of Kakrc, Lustica. And for July we are offering a discount of 15%, making it a real bargain too! So if you are looking for a last minute holiday somewhere really peaceful and relaxing this could be perfect for you. Happy holidays!
The Old Fisherman's Cottage

Montenegro is not only the world's newest independent state but also one of its most beautiful. Hardly surprising that it is also Europe's latest property target, says Graham Norwood.
Writing in today's Telegraph Norwood describes the unspoilt coastal villages and towns along the waters of the Boka Kotorska and "jaw-dropping coastal views that match Cote d'Azur" further south. Montenegro has attracted a lot of attention from property investors and those seeking holiday homes abroad and prices have soared in the last year or two. There is a 10 year-program to improve the country's infrastructure, with new roads and airports and an updated water sysytem. Those looking for a bargain had better be quick, warns Norwood - Montenegro isn't hanging around.

This year blue flags will be flying on 20 of Montenegro's beaches. The 'Blue Flag' is a prestigious internationally recognised eco award which indicates that the water and environmental management of the area are of the highest quality.

The July issue of award winning magazine Conde Nast Traveller carries a lengthy feature on the delights of Montenegro, accompanied some wonderful photography. If you are contemplating a holiday in Montenegro it is definitely worth getting your hands on a copy.

The author, Maggie Alderson begins her visit in the stunningly beautiful Boka Kotorska, which she describes as "like stepping through the wardrobe onto Narnia...the vista so unexpectedly grand that it takes a while for your brain to process what your eyes are seeing." This part of the Montenegrin coast is truly special, a captivating landscape scattered with traditional stone villages of unexpected elegence. The most beautiful of these, finds Alderson, is Perast. A tiny town with a glorious maritime past and the buildings to show for it, in the Venetian baroque style, Perast is "peaceful to the point of pleasant somnolence." Two impossibly picturesque islands lie just off shore here. On one stands the Benedictine monastery of St George, the other is Our Lady of the Rock, constructed over several centuries by local fishermen hauling rocks out to the bay. A boat trip over to the islands can be arranged for a few euros.

Heading south to the Budva Riviera Alderson found that the shabby state of some hotels was more than made up for by wonderful beaches and perfect settings. The "almost ridiculously picturesque" Hotel Sveti Stefan on its tiny island linked to the shore by a slender walkway was once an ancient fishing village, converted into a glamorous resort in the 1950s. After years of neglect it has been leased by Amanresorts and is soon to become a luxury hotel. Things are changing fast - Montenegro is on the cusp of a new dawn. Now is the time to discover its magic, says Alderson.

With its laid-back Mediterranean feel and sparkling coastline Montenegro has a lot in common with its larger neighbour, Croatia. Yet after the "sleek, prettified-for-tourists spit-and-polish" of Croatia, travel writer Rick Steves finds the tiny nation of Montenegro has a "refreshing rough-around-the edges appeal."

Steves describes the medieval town of Kotor as a "time-capsule retreat" for travellers seeking a truly unspoilt Adriatic coastal town, and a "hard place to tear yourself away from".

One year after gaining independence, Montenegro is focusing on attracting more visitors to its shores.

On 12th June the World Bank approved a $10 million loan to help Montenegro develop its tourism sector. This will be used to ensure that coastal areas are effectively managed and also to encourage environmentally sound tourism.

Montenegro joined the World Bank in January of this year.

Montenegro's stunning Adriatic coastline has become "one of the most potent property investment markets in the world" according to Colliers International. In some areas prices are rising by as much as 50% per annum and the incease in both prices and demand shows no sign of slowing.

We are currently signing rental contracts with a number of owners of Katica Apartments, a small development of luxury apartments in Prcanj, one of the most picturesque villages in Kotor Bay. The apartments will be completed by the end of this month, and ready to rent by the beginning of August. The apartments are a minute from the sea, and all have terraces with stunning views of the bay. There is also underground parking and a pool. Don't miss out - book your perfect summer retreat today!

If you are lucky enough to be in Montenegro on 22nd of next month, make sure you don't miss the festivities at Perast. On this date each year the inhabitants of Perast commemorate the finding of an icon of the Virgin Mary in 1452, which led to the discision to build a church for the blessing of sailors. First, however, they had to build an island to put it on.

It took the local inhabitants 200 years to carry enough boulders out to sea in their boats to complete Perast's islet 'Our Lady of the Rock'. So on July 22nd every year people carry stones out to the island and drop them in the sea in memory of the efforts of generations before them.
The church is still standing and houses a fascinating little museum.

On this date a regatta also commemorates Perast's great sea-faring history, with around 100 sailing boats competing for the Fasinada Cup.

Since becoming independent a year ago an extraordinary change has come over Montenegro, according to The Economist magazine. Montenegro is having countrywide clean up, making efforts to improve infrastructure and has seen real GDP growth of 6.5%.

The tiny country has joined the United Nations, the World Bank and the IMF, and initialled an agreement with the European Union. It has taken the first steps towards joining NATO. Slowly,
says The Economist, Montenegro is becoming normal.