The feeling of exploring new country. I felt adventurous, excited, but also little scared. I have been couple of times in Croatia, but never crossed the border further down to Montenegro till this summer holiday.

From Basel there is a 1hour direct flight with EasyJet to Dubrovnik, which is just by the Montenegrin borders. The plan was to rent a car and travel to Montengro. There are plenty of car rentals in Dubrovnik Airport and we have booked our car before the journey with Discovery cars, which I highly recommend for their prices and customer service. Usually we don't have any problems with rental companies, but in Dubrovnik some of the car rentals charge you a hell of deposit (we were charged 1200 € , only for deposit!), which we didn't want to pay and calll the Discovery cars customer service. Lady on the phone was very helpful and changed our reservation to different company without extra fee. Even thought the price for the car was a little higher, we paid only 100 € deposit. Also all the payments are in Kuna (Croatian currency), so prepare to know the exchange rate, that you don't ger robbed. The dealers also offer their car insurance, but these are insanely high. We booked one through discovery car so didn't need any additional. It's just making extra money, which is not very tourist friendly. To sum up before renting the car check your credit card limit, check the dealers deposit charge, credit card name must match the driver's name, stated you want to travel abroad (extra fee circa 50 € may be apply), double check the green card forborder crossing or simply travel with your own car.

After the husstle with the car at the airprt, we drove about 15 minutes to get to the borders. One think which I'm not used to anymore is border control. In main season I suggest you to count extra time to cross the borders, they are taking their time and sometimes only one line is open, which can create a long queues.

When we crossed the borders we drove through Herceg Novi to Panoramic road along the bay. Wau the scenery is beautiful. Our first stop was Budva and I recommend you to cross the bay with ferry. Take a ferry from Kamenari to Lepetani village in Verige Channel, which connects two sides of Boka Kotor. It's only 5 € per car, takes 7 minutes, save you at least 30 minutes and the scenery. Check here for more information.

We have reached Budva late in the evening and went straight to our hotel IBEROSTAR Slavija, where we enjoyed the dinner in the rooftop bar with amazing view. I have to say my highlights of the hotel was the rooftop area with infinity pool overlooking Budva. Also rooms were prety spacious. The hotel is new, it was open 2019 and provide gym, spa, bar, supermarket and restaurant, where is served breakfast and dinner. You can check the hotel here.

Budva is the most tourist area, full of nightlife, watersports, restaurants, bars, shopping centers, etc. Also some of the nicest beaches are not far like Sveti Stefan, Mogren Beach, Becici, Jazz beach. Most of the beaches has a crystal clear water and tiny rocks, however some are sandy and these are packed. We travelled to Budva end of July and area was overcrowded, especially with tourists from Serbia and Bosnia & Hercegovina (at least this is what most of the car plates had written).

Budva has also one of the olderst Adriatic old town, more than 2,500 years old, with unique architecture, shops, bars, restarants, citadel, church - this all you can find in Budva Old Town. Companies organized guided tour if you are interested more about the history. Check here. However most of the building had to be restored after heavy earthquake in 1979, which destroyed nearly half of the buildings.

The promenade, with lots of bars and restaurants, is connecting the Budva Old Town with rest of area. Just next to the Old Town are beaches and port, where you can get a free taxi boat drive to another end of Budva's coastline, where Nikki Beach, Dukley Seafront restaurant and other places are. It's worthy to check, however you need to pay entry fee or spend certain amount of money, it could be great experience and fun way how to escape the crowds. Another popular boat trip is to Saint Nikola's Island or ,,Hawaii,, - it's 1km long island with bars and restaurant, just oppposite Budva and transfer cost 5 €  per person. All the watersports offering this trip. And the boat goes every 20-30 mins.

Pros & Cons of Budva
+ Hotel, especially the rooftop bar with infinity pool and view
+ Tennis club (just opposite the hotel)
+ Trip to Sveti Stefan 
+ Watersports 
- too touristy for me, the price didn't match the value (especially in the restaurant)
- overcrowded

I think Budva is worth a visit, but because it was so busy, I wasn't interested in exploring more areas. It felf like too big husstle and I felt more comfortabe staying & enjoying the hotel. 

Where to stay in Budva:
IBEROSTAR Slavija
Where to eat in Budva:
A Club restaurant
(not sure if it’s still the name but it’s next IBEROSTAR Slavija)
Best street food restaurant:
VERDE

Guided tours & activities in Budva
Online car rental
Ferry website