65: time to hit the road

Herceg Novi is in a good location from which to see Montenegro & southern Croatia. Highlights: Perast, Kotor, Dubrovnik. Rent is low, we felt OK having a place for the whole month and leaving our big bags there for a couple of overnights elsewhere.

It is picturesque but frayed: a beautiful setting on the side of a mountain that drops right into the sea; a stari grad (old town) with stone houses and red tile roofs and narrow walking-only passageways and plazas; but with semi-finished or decayed hideous 20th century mid-rises sprinkled about.

It’s more than a 500’ elevation gain from the waterfront to the top of town. A great place to stay in shape.

Lots of good cafes, restaurants & bars in and around the stari grad and along a long waterfront promenade. Lots of pizza & ice cream; bread is generally disappointing.

Weather in Feb is changeable - we had mostly sunny but cool days, and some rain. All the locals say it's unbearable in the summer -hot and packed with tourists.

Interesting things:

No cars in the stari grad

there are several old churches, with bells that toll the hours. It's a nice cacophany every hour

garbage is collected in cans along the side of the streets every few blocks. When you take it out, you take it to the nearest one

3 14th-17th century fortresses in town

outdoor vegetable market open 6 days/week

Best cafes:

Coffee Novi

Fabrika Coffee

Peter’s Pies (savory, vegetarian)

Best bread & pastries:

Baguetteria (at Lazure marina in Meljine)

Best restaurants:

La Terrazza for pizza & sandwiches

Konoba Feral for fish

Best bars:

Citadela

Pub Got