17-Feb-25 Lustica Bay, Montenegro

A warm sunny morning leaving Podgorica in a hire car. Driving to the Adriatic for a few days. Along twisty roads and amazing mountainous scenery. Only become aware of the increase in altitude when the car’s outside temperature drops from 15C to 2C.

And start seeing snow stuck by the roadside. As I head towards Cetinje. Former royal capital of Montenegro. Dating back to the 15^th century. But it was the mid 19^th century when Cetinje grew under the rule Nicholas I of Montenegro. The last monarch of Montenegro. Until 1918. The end of WW1. When Montenegro was annexed with Serbia. And then both merged with other South Slav countries to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Bit of a mouthful that. Was then renamed Yugoslavia in 1929.

One of his daughters was Princess Elena. Born in Cetinje in 1873. She became Queen of Italy from 1900 to 1946. As the wife of King Victor Emmanuel III. She also being Empress of Ethiopia and Queen of the Albanians. Versatile and educated she was loved for her charity works and her talents. Spoke several languages, played the piano and wrote poetry.

When she was fifteen, a Russian literary magazine, under the pseudonym Blue Butterfly, published her poetry dedicated to Venice.

And it is this pseudonym, dear reader, which inspired composer Giacomo Puccini to dedicate his famous opera Madame Butterfly to Queen Elena.

The stuff you learn on this blog, dear reader!

Thinking Cetinje might be a tourist hot spot. Stop for lunch. And also because there is nothing enroute. Soon apparent that parking is a problem. As in. No spaces available. Only after the third circuit of the one way system do I spot a space in a small parade of shops car park. Jeez. It’s freezing. And snowing. Was in shirt sleeves this morning in Podgorica.

Cetinje may well be a tourist hot spot. In summer maybe. But not at the beginning of February when it’s snowing and sub-zero. Everywhere closed.

Continue driving to Lustica Bay along Jaguar F-type roads. Twisty and mountainous. Sadly. Not driving a Jaguar F-type. And the Suzuki Vitara SUV hire car doesn’t quite excite.

Higher and higher I drive. And the snow and fog increases. Until. The other side of the mountain pass above Kotor and Tivat. Snow and fog recedes. And a glimpse of an azure Adriatic. Glistening about 4,000ft below. Magnificient views tempered by the dark snow clouds and fog clinging to the mountain side.

There’s only one way to descend to sea level. Down the Serpentine. This infamous road with 25 hairpin bends offers stunning views across the bay of Kotor with Tivat the other side. But a sheer drop should you come off.

A great drive. Were it not for a sluggish Suzuki.

Finish the day with a room with a view. At the Chedi Lustica Bay (https://www.chedilusticabay.com/ ). A brand new development. On the Adriatic.

Ah yes.

This will do for a few days.

And relax.