text:
Montenegrin phrasebook

Montenegrin (Crnogorski / Црногорски) is the official language of Montenegro, though it is mainly the same language as Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian.

Vowels

 * a : like 'u' in "sun"
 * e : like 'e' in "enemy"
 * i : like 'ee' in "leek"
 * o : like 'o' in "opera"
 * u : like 'oo' in "book"

Consonants
ś
 * b : like 'b' in "bed"
 * c : like 'ts' in "bets"
 * č : like 'ch' in "child"
 * ć : like 't' in "mature"
 * d : like 'd' in "dog"
 * dž : like 'dg' in "fudge"
 * đ : like 'd' in American English "schedule"
 * f : like 'f' in "for"
 * g : like 'g' in "go"
 * h : like 'h' in "help" [usually aspirated]
 * j : like 'y' in "yell"
 * k : like 'k' in "king" [unaspirated]
 * l : like 'l' in "love"
 * lj : like 'li' in "million".
 * m : like 'm' in "mother"
 * n : like 'n' in "nice"
 * nj : like 'ñ' in Spanish "señor" or 'ny' in "canyon"
 * p : like 'p' in "pig" [unaspirated]
 * q : like 'q' in "quest" (only in foreign words)
 * r : trilled 'r' as in the Spanish "roca"
 * s : like 's' in "sock"
 * š : like 'sh' in "cash"
 * like 'sh' in "shell"

ź
 * t: like 't' in "top" [unaspirated]
 * v: like 'v' in "victory"
 * w: like 'v' in "victor" (only in foreign words)
 * x: like 'cks' in "kicks" or 'gs' in "legs"(only in foreign words)
 * z: like 'z' in "zebra"
 * ž: like 'su' in "measure"

like a softer su in "measure"

Basics

 * Hello. : .(Zdravo)
 * Hello. (informal) : .(Ćao)
 * How are you? : .(Kako si?)
 * Fine, thank you. : .(Dobro, hvala na pitanju)
 * What is your name? : .(Kako se zoveš?)
 * My name is ______ . : .(Ime mi je ______.)
 * Nice to meet you. : .(Drago mi je da vas upoznam.)
 * Please. : . (Molim)
 * Thank you. : .(Hvala)
 * You're welcome. :. (Nema na čemu)
 * Yes. :. (Da)
 * No. :. (Ne)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : (Izvinjavam se, ali...)
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : . (Izvinjavam se.)
 * I'm sorry. : . (Žao mi je)
 * Goodbye : . (Doviđenja)
 * Goodbye (informal) : . (Ćao)
 * I can't speak Montenegrin [well]. :. (Ne umijem da pričam Crnogorski [dobro])
 * Do you speak English? : (Da li pričate Engleski?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : (Da li ima ikoga ko priča Engleski?)
 * Help! : (Upomoć!)
 * Look out! : (Pazi!)
 * Good morning. : (Dobro jutro)
 * Good evening. : (Dobar veče)
 * Good Afternoon. : (Dobar dan)
 * Good night. : (Dobro veče)
 * Good night (to sleep) : (Laku noć)
 * I don't understand. : (Ja ne razumijem)
 * Where is the toilet? : (Đe je WC?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : . (ostavi me na miru .)
 * Don't touch me! : ! (ne diraj me !)
 * I'll call the police. : . (zvaću policiju .)
 * Police! : ! (policija !)
 * Stop! Thief! : ! ! (stani ! lopove!)
 * I need your help. : . (treba mi tvoja pomoć .)
 * It's an emergency. : . (ovo je hitno .)
 * I'm lost. : . (izgubio/la sam se .)
 * I lost my bag. : . (izgubio/la sam torbu .)
 * I lost my wallet. : . (izgubio/la sam novčanik .)
 * I'm sick. : . (loše mi je.)
 * I've been injured. : . (povrijedio/la sam se .)
 * I need a doctor. : . (treba mi doktor .)
 * Can I use your phone? : ? (mogu li koristiti tvoj telefon ?)

Numbers

 * 1 : (jedan )
 * 2 : (dva )
 * 3 : (tri )
 * 4 : (četri)
 * 5 : (pet )
 * 6 : (šest )
 * 7 : (sedam )
 * 8 : (osam )
 * 9 : (devet )
 * 10 : (deset )
 * 11 : (jedanaest )
 * 12 : (dvanest )
 * 13 : (trinaest )
 * 14 : (četrnaest )
 * 15 : (petnaest )
 * 16 : (šesnaest )
 * 17 : (sedamnaest)
 * 18 : (osamnaest )
 * 19 : (devetnaest )
 * 20 : (dvadeset )
 * 21 : (dvadeset jedan )
 * 22 : (dvadeset dva )
 * 23 : (dvadeset tri )
 * 30 : (trideset )
 * 40 : (cetrdeset )
 * 50 : (pedeset )
 * 60 : (sezdeset )
 * 70 : (sedamdeset )
 * 80 : (osamdeset )
 * 90 : (devedeset )
 * 100 : (sto )
 * 200 : (dvjesta )
 * 300 : (trista )
 * 400 : (četristo )
 * 500 : (petsto )
 * 1,000 : (hiljadu )
 * 2,000 : (dvije hiljade )
 * 1,000,000 : (jedan milion )
 * 1,000,000,000 : (jedna milijarda )
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : (jedan trilion )
 * number 4 (train, bus, etc.): (broj četiri)
 * half : (pola )
 * less : (manje )
 * more : (vise )

Time

 * now : (sada )
 * later : (posljie)
 * before : (prije)
 * morning : (jutro )
 * afternoon : (podne )
 * evening : (veče )
 * night : (noć )

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : (jedan sat prijepodne)
 * two o'clock AM : (dva sata prije podne)
 * noon : (podne)
 * one o'clock PM : (jedan poslije podne)
 * two o'clock PM : (dva poslije podne)
 * midnight : (ponoć )

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : (minut/a)
 * _____ hour(s) : (sat/i )
 * _____ day(s) : (dan/a )
 * _____ week(s) : (neđelja/e )
 * _____ month(s) : (mjesec/i)
 * _____ year(s) : (godina/e )

Days

 * today : (danas )
 * yesterday : (juče )
 * tomorrow : (śutra )
 * this week : (ove neđelje)
 * last week : (prošle neđelje)
 * next week : (sledeće neđelje )

 * Sunday : (neđelja )
 * Monday : (poneđeljak )
 * Tuesday : (utorak )
 * Wednesday : (srijeda )
 * Thursday : (četvrtak )
 * Friday : (petak )
 * Saturday : (subota )

Months

 * January : (januar )
 * February : (februar )
 * March : (mart )
 * April : (april )
 * May : (maj )
 * June : (jun )
 * July : (jul)
 * August : (avgust )
 * September : (septembar )
 * October : (oktobar )
 * November : (novembar )
 * December : (decembar )

Colors

 * black : (crna )
 * white : (bijela )
 * gray : (siva )
 * red : (crvena )
 * blue : (plava )
 * yellow : (žuta )
 * green : (zelena )
 * orange : (narandžasta )
 * purple : (roza )
 * brown : (kafena )

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : (koliko košta karta do )
 * One ticket to _____, please. : (jednu kartu do,-- molim )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : (đe ide ovajvoz/autobus )
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : (dokle ide ovaj voz/bus )
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : (staje li ovaj v/b u )
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : (kada polazi v/b za )
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : (kada ovaj v/b stiže u/na )

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : (kako da dođem do )
 * ...the train station? : (željeznicke stanice )
 * ...the bus station? : (autobuske stanice )
 * ...the airport? : (aerodroma )
 * ...downtown? : (u centar grada )
 * ...the youth hostel? : (do hostela za mlade )
 * ...the _____ hotel? : (do hotela )
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : (americkog/kanadskog/britanskog konzulata )
 * Where are there a lot of... : (đe ima vise )
 * ...hotels? : (hotela )
 * ...restaurants? : (restorana )
 * ...bars? : (barova )
 * ...sites to see? : (mjesta za viđet)
 * Can you show me on the map? : (možeš li mi pokazati na karti )
 * street : (ulicu )
 * Turn left. : ( 'lijevo skretanje' )
 * Turn right. : (desno skretanje )
 * left : (lijevo )
 * right : (desno )
 * straight ahead : (pravo naprijed )
 * towards the _____ : (kroz )
 * past the _____ : (pored )
 * before the _____ : (prije )
 * Watch for the _____. : (pazi na )
 * intersection : ( )
 * north : (śever )
 * south : (jug )
 * east : (istok )
 * west : (zapad )
 * uphill : (uzbrdo )
 * downhill : (nizbrdo )

Taxi

 * Taxi! : (taksi )
 * Take me to _____, please. : (odvedite me do )
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : (koliko kosta do )
 * Take me there, please. : (tamo me povedite )

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : (imate li neku slobodnu sobu )
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : (koliko kosta soba za jednu/dvije osobe )
 * Does the room come with... : (jesu li u sobu uracunati )
 * ...bedsheets? : (prekrivaci )
 * ...a bathroom? : ( 'soba' )
 * ...a telephone? : (telefon )
 * ...a TV? : (teve )
 * May I see the room first? : (mogu li najprije vidjeti sobu)
 * Do you have anything quieter? : (imate li nesto )
 * ...bigger? : (vece )
 * ...cleaner? : (cistije )
 * ...cheaper? : (jeftinije )
 * OK, I'll take it. : (u redu. uzecu tu. )
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : (ostacu noc/i )
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : (mozete li mi predloziti drugi hotel )
 * Do you have a safe? : (imate li bezbjedne )
 * ...lockers? : (brave )
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : (je li dorucak/rucak uracunat )
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : (u koliko sati je d/r )
 * Please clean my room. : (molim pocistite moju sobu )
 * Can you wake me at _____? : (mozete li me probuditi u )
 * I want to check out. : (zelim da se odjavim )

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : (primate li americke/austalijanske/kanadske dolare )
 * Do you accept British pounds? : (primate li britanske funte )
 * Do you accept euros? : (primate li eure )
 * Do you accept credit cards? : (primate li kreditne kartice )
 * Can you change money for me? : (mozete li zamijeniti novac u moje ime )
 * Where can I get money changed? : (gdje mogu zamijeniti novac )
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : (mozete li mi zamijeniti putnicki cek )
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : (gdje mogu zamijeniti putnicki cek )
 * What is the exchange rate? : (koja je razlika )
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : (gdje je automatska govorna masina )

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : (sto za jednu/dvije osobe,molim )
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : (mogu li pogledati u jelovnik )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : (mogu li pogledati u kuhinju )
 * Is there a house specialty? : (ima li specijalitet kuce )
 * Is there a local specialty? : (ima li lokalni specijalitet )
 * I'm a vegetarian. : (ja sam vegetarijanac )
 * I don't eat pork. : (ne jedem svinjetinu )
 * I don't eat beef. : (ne jedem govedinu)
 * I only eat kosher food. : (jedem samo svjezu hranu)
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : (mozete li spremiti s manje masti )
 * fixed-price meal : ( )
 * a la carte : (po jelovniku )
 * breakfast : (dorucak )
 * lunch : (rucak )
 * tea (meal) : ( )
 * supper : (vecera )
 * I want _____. : (htio/la bih )
 * I want a dish containing _____. : (h bih jelo koje sadrzi )
 * chicken : (piletinu)
 * beef : (govedinu )
 * fish : (ribu )
 * ham : (virslu )
 * sausage : (kobasicu )
 * cheese : (sir )
 * eggs : (jaja )
 * salad : (salatu )
 * (fresh) vegetables :  (svjeze povrce )
 * (fresh) fruit : (svjeze voce )
 * bread : (hljeb )
 * toast : (tost )
 * noodles : (kiflice )
 * rice : (pirinac )
 * beans : (zrna )
 * May I have a glass of _____? : (mogu li dobiti casu  )
 * May I have a cup of _____? : (mogu li dobiti solju )
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : (mogu li dobiti bocu )
 * coffee : (kafe )
 * tea (drink) : (caja )
 * juice : (soka )
 * (bubbly) water : (mineralne vode )
 * (still) water : (obicne vode )
 * beer : (piva )
 * red/white wine : (crvenog/bijelog vina )
 * May I have some _____? : (mogu li dobiti malo )
 * salt : (soli )
 * black pepper : (crnog bibera )
 * butter : (maslaca )
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): (izvinite, konobar )
 * I'm finished. : (zavrsio/la sam )
 * It was delicious. : (bilo je izvrsno)
 * Please clear the plates. : (molim ocistite tanjire )
 * The check, please. : (racun, molim )

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : (posluzujete li alkohol )
 * Is there table service? : ( )
 * A beer/two beers, please. : (pivo/dva piva )
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : (casu vina )
 * A pint, please. : ( )
 * A bottle, please. : (bocu )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : ( )
 * whiskey : (viski )
 * vodka : (votka )
 * rum : (rum )
 * water : (voda )
 * club soda : ( )
 * tonic water : ( )
 * orange juice : (sok od pomorandze )
 * Coke (soda) : ( )
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : (imate li neke grickalice )
 * One more, please. : (jos jednu,molim )
 * Another round, please. : (jos jednu turu )
 * When is closing time? : (kada se zatvara )
 * Cheers! : (zivjeli )

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : (imte li ovo u mojoj velicini )
 * How much is this? : (koliko kosta ovo )
 * That's too expensive. : (preskupo je )
 * Would you take _____? : (hocete li uzeti )
 * expensive : (skupo )
 * cheap : (jeftino )
 * I can't afford it. : (ne mogu priustiti )
 * I don't want it. : (ne zelim to )
 * You're cheating me. : (varate me )
 * I'm not interested. : (.nisam zainteresovan.)
 * OK, I'll take it. : (u redu, uzimam )
 * Can I have a bag? : (mogu li dobiti torbu )
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : (da li  )
 * I need... : (treba mi )
 * ...toothpaste. : (pasta za zube )
 * ...a toothbrush. : (cetkica za zube )
 * ...tampons. : . (tamponi )
 * ...soap. : (sapun )
 * ...shampoo. : (sampon )
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : (protiv bolova )
 * ...cold medicine. : (za prehladu )
 * ...stomach medicine. : ... (za stomak )
 * ...a razor. : ( )
 * ...an umbrella. : (kisobran )
 * ...sunblock lotion. : (zastita od sunca )
 * ...a postcard. : (razglednica )
 * ...postage stamps. : (markice )
 * ...batteries. : (baterije )
 * ...writing paper. : (papir za pisanje )
 * ...a pen. : (olovka)
 * ...English-language books. : (knjige )
 * ...English-language magazines. : (casopisi )
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : (novine )
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : (rjecnik )

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : (zelim da iznajmim auto )
 * Can I get insurance? : (mogu li dobiti osiguranje )
 * stop (on a street sign) : (stani )
 * one way : (jednosmjerna )
 * yield : (uspori )
 * no parking : (neam parkiranja )
 * speed limit : (ogranicena brzina )
 * gas (petrol) station : (benzinska stanica )
 * petrol : (petrol )
 * diesel : (dizel )

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : (nisam nista pogrijrsio/la )
 * It was a misunderstanding. : (to je bio nesporazum )
 * Where are you taking me? : (gdje me vodite )
 * Am I under arrest? : (jesam li uhapsen/na )
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : (ja sam americki/australijanski/britanski/kanadski drzavljanin )
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : (zelim da razgovaram sa ambasadom/konzulatom )
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : (zelim da razgovaram sa advokatom )
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : (mogu li platiti kaznu,sada )

title: Montenegrin phrasebook


text:
Montenegrin South Coast

The South Coast is a region of Montenegro.

Cities

 * – The biggest Montenegrin sea port.
 * – Part of the unspoiled subtropical coastal region to the south and home to the famed Velika Plaža, the Great Beach.

By train

 * Bar railway station – Bar is the endpoint of a famous rail line going all the way to Belgrade (Serbia) twice a day, by Podgorica.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Montenegrin South Coast


text:
Montenegro

Montenegro (Montenegrin: Crna Gora, Црна Гора) is a country in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea.

It is one of Europe's most recently independent countries, having gained its independence in 2006. Infrastructure greatly improved since independence as Montenegro became home to numerous five-star hotels, glamorous new settlements and investments in roads, energy, water and sanitary pipelines.

Regions
Montenegro is divided into 21 municipalities, which can be grouped into five regions:

Cities

 * — the capital, and administrative centre as well as the biggest city in Montenegro, intensively developed since independence
 * — the major port of the country
 * — this fortified old town surrounded by high-rises, resorts and new developments is the most popular tourist spot with amazing beaches and wild nightlife
 * — the old royal capital beneath Lovćen mountain and its national park features numerous museums, monasteries and former embassies.
 * — an ancient fortified town deep down the Boka Kotorska bay, UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a regular spot for cruiser ships
 * — the second largest city in Montenegro and economically important, home to famous Montenegrin beer Nikšićko
 * — a small town in the Bay of Kotor, quickly emerging into a major tourist, business and transport centre due to the 2nd international airport in the country
 * — beneath Durmitor mountain and its national park is one of the key tourist destinations for both summer and winter activities
 * — an ancient fortified town, once the home of pirates, surrounded by a 12-km-long sandy beach which is a kite-surfing hotspot, and naturist haven

Other destinations

 * — with a 2 km long fine sandy beach, it is home to many resorts and hotels
 * — some of the last remaining untouched forests in Europe, and beautiful small lake where you can fish
 * — rafting through the Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe, is one of the most popular activities in Montenegro
 * — beautiful mountain with natural, cultural and historical scenery
 * — the amazing monastery situated on the almost vertical cliff of Mount Ostrog, in the municipality Danilovgrad
 * — beautiful small village, a UNESCO World Natural and Historical Heritage Site
 * - hiking and mountain climbing are this park's main attraction
 * — the largest lake on the Balkans and the natural habitat of the very diverse flora and fauna
 * — picturesque town-hotel, a former fishing town on the small peninsula near Budva

History
Montenegro has been a political entity since at least the 11th century. It was founded as a state under its present name in the 15th century, continuing the tradition of the Slavic state of Duklja. It was able to maintain its independence during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans, as its independence was recognized at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. In World War I, it fought on the side of the Allied powers. It became part the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. Montenegro was part of various incarnations of Yugoslavia, until it regained its independence from the federation of Serbia-Montenegro after the May 2006 referendum. Montenegro was the only republic of the former Yugoslavia that supported Serbia during the wars of the 1990s.

People
Montenegro is home to 620,000 people (2020), and is a multicultural and multiethnic country. All citizens of Montenegro can be called Montenegrin, but this term is also used for a specific ethnicity within the country. The majority of people (~75 %) in the country are ethnic Montenegrins or Serbs, however the exact breakdown of these groups is difficult to determine due to their individual perspectives on how they see their identity. Most ethnic Montenegrins and Serbs are Serbian Orthodox Christians. In the northeast, there is a Bosniak majority, and an Albanian minority, most of whom are followers of Islam. In the town of Ulcinj, there is an Albanian majority, of varying religious persuasions. In the Kotor area, there is a Croat minority, many of whom are Roman Catholic. Regardless of their ethnicity, Montenegrin citizens are known for their kindness and hospitality.

Climate
Montenegro's lower areas along the coast enjoy a Mediterranean climate, having dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Central and northern regions have Continental climate, where temperature varies greatly with elevation. Podgorica, lying near sea level in the valley of the central region, is noted for having the warmest July temperatures in Montenegro, averaging 35-40°C (95-104°F).

Cetinje, in the Karst at an elevation of, has a temperature 5°C (10°F) lower. January temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) from Bar on the southern coast to -3°C (27°F) in the northern region.

Montenegro's mountainous regions receive some of the highest amounts of rainfall in Europe. In the northern mountains, snow is present throughout the spring.

Terrain
The terrain of Montenegro ranges from high mountains through a segment of the Karst of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only one to four miles wide. The coastal plain disappears completely in the north, where Mount Lovćen and other ranges plunge abruptly into the inlet of the Gulf of Kotor.

Montenegro's section of the Karst lies generally at elevations of just below above sea level-although some areas rise to. The lowest segment is in the valley of the Zeta River, which flows at an elevation of.

The high mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. They average more than in elevation.

Visitor information

 * National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro

Get in
Most foreign tourists enter Montenegro directly by air, by road from Croatia, or occasionally by sea from Italy. Land routes from Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania are mainly used by tourists from those respective countries.

Entry requirements
Holders of travel documents containing a valid Schengen visa, a valid visa of the United States of America or a permission to stay in these countries may enter and stay, i.e. pass through the territory of Montenegro up to seven days, and not longer than the expiry of visa if the period of validity of visa is less than seven days. However, border guards are not fully aware of this information, and they might tell you that you require a visa to enter Montenegro. Stay calm and politely ask them to recheck their information. They will fill a form with your passport and car registration information which can take up to 1 hour!

As of 2010, nationals of the following states may enter, pass through the territory of and stay in Montenegro up to 90 days with a valid travel document without a visa: Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, El Salvador, San Marino, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States of America and Venezuela.

The exemption from the visa requirement also applies to the holders of valid travel documents issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

By plane

 * Podgorica Airport – Montenegro's main international airport with many international and budget flight.
 * Tivat Airport – This airport has regular flights from Belgrade throughout the year, and has charter flights from major European destinations during the summer.
 * Dubrovnik Airport – Across the border half-hour drive from the coastal city of Herceg-Novi to Croatia. This airport is served by many major airlines, so it is a good option for tourists coming by plane.
 * Other nearby airports are in Sarajevo, Pristina and Tirana.

By train
There are one daytime and one overnight train (two in summer) from Belgrade. Trains go through Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Podgorica and ends in Bar, Montenegro's main seaport. The railway through the Dinaric Mountains is considered as one of the most scenic railways in Europe. Travel by train is the cheapest way to get to Montenegro, but the quality of service is not very good. Trip time is 10 hr from Belgrade to Podgorica (11 hr to Bar), but expect considerable delays. The train Lovcen 433 will leave at	20:20 with the scheduled arrival to Bar, the last station, at 07:23. In December 2022 they charge for the six berth compartment, and  the four berth one. Payable in local currency or bank card at Belgrade Center Station

By bus
Montenegro is well connected with neighbouring countries and ticket prices are all under €25. During the summer, more seasonal lines are being introduced.

By car
European routes E65, E80, E762, E763 and E851 pass through the country, connecting it to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.

There are no roads in Montenegro built to motorway standard, however a Bar-Belgrade motorway should be completed by 2032.

Driving with headlights is obligatory, even during the daytime; so is the use of seat belts.

By boat
There is a regular ferry line from Bar to Bari in Italy. The Bar-Bari line operates throughout the year, with service several times weekly during the summer. A trip to Bari takes around 8 hours. There is also ferry service from Bari, Italy, to Dubrovnik in Croatia. From there, bus service is available to Montenegro - the Dubrovnik bus station is adjacent to the port where the ferry docks.

By bus
This may be the quickest way to get around Montenegro. Buses are frequent (especially during the summer), safe and are more or less on schedule. Ticket prices within Montenegro are all under €15. Examples of prices: Podgorica-Ulcinj €6, Podgorica-Cetinje €3, Cetinje-Kotor €5. Local buses usually have no airconditioning. There are normal buses and minibuses, depending on the destination.

All bus stations demand a fee for using the bus station, which is included in you ticket when you buy it at the bus station. However, it apparently is not included in online tickets, and there often erupt discussions between the station conductor and tourists since they are not let onto the platform without paying this fee. You can always pay the fee at the station when having bought your ticket online, but do so sufficiently ahead of the departure or you might miss your bus. The conductor will stand his ground. To get around the station fee, just go to any of the nearby bus stops of the route—bus drivers will happily take any additional passengers. But be sure to know the fare. You can find the bus stops on OpenStreetMap, e.g. with mobile apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz.

Use Busticket4Me to find out the schedules and prices within Montenegro and even to destinations outside.

Most bus stations have WiFi—sometimes you have to ask for the password.

By train
Going by train is a great alternative to using the bus, but coverage of the country is not great. From Podgorica there are regular train services to Bar, Bijelo Polje (and further to Belgrade) through Kolašin and Mojkovac, and Nikšić. It is the cheapest way to travel from north to south and vice versa, costing €2.80 at most within Montenegro. The quality of service is not on the high level, but decent.

Find timetables and prices on the official Montenegro Railway Website.

Furthermore, Montenegro Railways has reactivated the train route to Nikšić, providing a scenic and pretty cheap journey, without being slower than the bus, and the chance to jump of at the Ostrog Monastery.

By car
Most roads are two-lane only, with frequent addition of a third overtaking lane, and generally are not up to European standards. Most roads are curvy and mountainous, so speeds over are rarely legal or safe.

The speed limit is usually 80 km/h on the open road and in built-up areas.

The use of safety belts and headlights during the day is compulsory, and the use of cellphones while driving is prohibited. Signposts used in Montenegro are almost identical to those used in EU countries.

Local drivers tend to drive fast, and to get involved into dangerous manoeuvres. Traffic jams are common during the peak of the summer season. Pedestrians are notorious for jaywalking in every Montenegrin city.

Drivers tend to be extremely vocal, so don't take it personally if a driver yells at you.

You can rent a car in Montenegro from €11 in Tivat Airport, from €14 in Podgorica Airport, and travel around cities and across the country.

Specific roads
Roads from Podgorica to Bar and to Niksic are fairly good and easy to drive on.

The roads from Podgorica through Cetinje to Budva and to Petrovac are both in good condition, but are curvy mountainous roads which rarely permit speeds over 70 km/h.

The road from Podgorica north to Kolasin, and then on to Zabljak or Serbia, is considered dangerous during the winter, especially the part through the Moraca canyon. It is recommended that you take the bus to the north during the cold or rainy days, as bus drivers are experienced and know the road.

The old road from Cetinje to Kotor is mostly a narrow one-lane road offering stunning views of Kotor from above, but exercise extreme caution when passing on-coming traffic, over-taking and around corners.

By rental car
Rent-a-car businesses are numerous and prices start from €20 per day for Toyota Yaris.

By thumb
Hitchhiking works pretty well in Montenegro, although the general warnings apply. Even though locals also generally take people, it is more likely to get picked up by other tourists, especially along the coast and during high season. Also, see Hitchwiki for more details.

By helicopter
A unique opportunity to discover the wild beauty of Montenegro is also by helicopter. Transportation could be organised from Dubrovnik, Kotor, Budva, Podgorica. Well-established operators are specialized in scenic flights, charters and commercial transfers across the region.

On foot and navigation
Montenegro is a popular hiking destination with many picturesque trails and summits. Make sure to have good (offline) maps and GPS with you. For reliable maps, GPS navigation, comprehensive trails and map information, consult OpenStreetMap, which is also used by this travel guide and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. Or just download the according GPX or KML files for such trails on OpenStreetMap through Waymarked Trails. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)

Talk
The official language is Montenegrin. It is essentially the same language as Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian. In some municipalities with an Albanian majority (Ulcinj) or large minority (Plav, Gusinje) and the Malesia district in Podgorica municipality, Albanian is commonly spoken. Slovenian and Macedonian are also understood. Even though their languages are virtually identical, people still distinguish between the Montenegrin, Serb, Croat and Bosniak ethnicities, Montenegrins forming a slight majority. Montenegrin is found written in both Cyrillic and Latin forms. Latin text is much more common in Montenegro than in neighboring Serbia and the Serbian portion of Bosnia.

In Podgorica and the coastal area, many people can speak some English. People sometimes have a working knowledge of German, as there is a sizeable diaspora community in both Germany and Austria. Italian also comes in very handy, especially along the coast. Russian, which also belongs to the same family of Slavic languages, is spoken by many older people as it was a compulsory second language in Yugoslavia, though it has largely been supplanted by English among the younger generation. Russian speakers will, however, find themselves catered for by the tourist industry along the coast.

See
While Montenegro may be a small country, it has so much diverse history and nature to see. There are stunning mountainous landscapes, dramatic coastlines, historic monuments and truly beautiful walled towns. The Montenegro coast is just as gorgeous as that of its better known neighbour, Croatia, and it is for good reason that its main tourist destinations get crowded in summer. Nevertheless, if you can't visit at another time, don't let their popularity hold you back. Even the largest of cruise ship crowds will not stop you from enjoying this country's magnificent Riviera and Medieval coast towns, especially if you're willing to get up early and do your sightseeing ahead of the others.

Of the country's many churches and monasteries, the Serbian Orthodox Ostrog Monastery deserves special attention. It's spectacularly located against a practically vertical background, some 10 km from Danilovgrad. Founded in the 17th century, it's one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations on the Balkans and boasts a magnificent view over the Bjelopavlići plain.

The Riviera
The Bay of Kotor, is probably one of the prettiest bays in the world. On its deepest point lies the equally stunning town of Kotor, a beautifully preserved fortified, Medieval town with a vibrant history. Wandering through its labyrinth of narrow and cobblestoned streets, you'll come across lively piazzas, many ancient churches and lots of pleasant bars and restaurants. Don't miss the 12th-century St. Tryphon Cathedral, the Church of St. Luke and the Orthodox St Nicholas Church. Kotor is locked between the blue sea on one side, and a dramatically steep cliff on the other. It's a heavy walk uphill, but climbing the 1500 steps will allow you to see the old fortifications on the top and provide some amazing views over the bay.

Budva is the country's most popular tourist destination, and boasts some great beaches and a lovely, walled town centre. The old town centre is picturesquely located on a rather small peninsula, and its narrow, winding lanes hide a multitude of historic buildings, churches and small squares. Among the most interesting monuments here are the 7th-century St. John's Church, the 8th-century Santa Marija of Punta and the 12th-century Church of St. Sava. The medieval town fortress is referred to as Citadela and right next to it is the colourful Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1804. Budva's Riviera is over 30 km long, and has been called "The Riviera of Sandy Beaches". It is dotted with lovely hamlets and a wealth of historic monuments. A strip of hotels and restaurants separates it from the impressive mountain massifs of Lovcen. From Budva, it's an easy bus ride to the unique Sveti Stefan resort.

The small but gorgeous town of Perast saw some of its best architecture arise in the 17th and 18th century, when it belonged to the Republic of Venice. That typically Venetian, baroque architecture has been wonderfully preserved, with highlights including the Bujovic, Zmajevic, Badovic and Smekja Palaces which were once owned by wealthy maritime captains. All the way in the south, Ulcinj is one of the Adriatic's oldest towns, with a delightful centre and lots of natural beauty around. It also makes a good base from where to explore the old centre of nearby Bar, Lake Skadar or even a cross border visit to Albania. Although less spectacular than nearby Kotor, Herceg Novi (roughly translated as New Castle) is another charming Montenegrin town with a beautiful old centre and a good number of interesting churches, squares and fortresses.

Natural attractions
Although Montenegro's magnificent seaside scenery is best known among travellers, its mountainous inland has some grand panoramic views to offer, too. The country shares the large freshwater Lake Skadar with neighbouring Albania. It has National Park status and offers great opportunities for hiking, bird watching and wildlife spotting. Of the many friendly fishermen's towns around it, Virpazar is the most convenient one for travellers. A real must-see is the splendid Tara River Canyon, with its steep banks rising up to 1300 metres above the River Tara waters. It's the second longest canyon in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canyon is in Durmitor National Park, which is a World Heritage Site of its own and boasts a rich flora and fauna as well as snow-covered high peaks, several canyons and many glacier lakes. The most visited one is Black Lake, at walking distance of the town of Žabljak, which serves as a traveller's hub for mountain and winter tourism.

Festivals
Montenegro has a lot of local festivals that are worth going to and may range from typical music concerts to local festivities involving free food and drinks. Usually wine and seafood.

 * Bokeška Noć (3rd week of August) - Celebrations under masks by the iconic fortifications of Kotor where each year a hateful figure is burned, and celebrations out in the open continues till early morning.
 * Sea Dance Festival (end of July) - infamous Exit festival has found a new home for summer season and the biggest music happening in SE Europe is hosted on Jaz beach in Budva.
 * Days of Wine and Fish in Virpazar - worth experiencing. Gathering of wine and fish lovers in a scenic local village on the Skadar Lake. Very crowded, and smokey from fish frying.
 * Petrovačka noć (Petrovac) - celebrating the local traditions it is great time to visit the city and enjoy the crowd, food and music.
 * Spring Break - typical music festival with plenty of DJs on Kamenovo beach
 * Blueberry Days - in Plav in northern Montenegro, this festival is attributed to blueberries which are famous is important gathering of Montenegrin diaspora and its relatives as well as many tourists.
 * Pasticada Fest
 * Sunčane Skale
 * Dani Mimoze
 * Southern Soul Festival

Money
€

ATMs
Hundreds of ATMs are available in major cities. The ATMs accept most international Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards.

If you are from the Balkans, Central or Eastern Europe, look for an ATM of your bank. It is quite possible that the bank operates in Montenegro and that there will be no fees.

Generally, ATMs will add an extra fee to your withdrawal, which is invoiced as one amount together with the amount dispensed. In the following the fees as of July 2024:
 * Erste Bank: €5
 * NLB: €5
 * ckbbanka: €5

Credit cards
Although they are accepted in supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and many shops, always keep some cash with you for open-air markets, souvenir stalls, small bakeries, museums and public transport.

Exchange offices
Not very common, since nearly all tourists bring euros with them. In case you happen to arrive in Montenegro without any euros in cash, use an ATM (recommended) or find a bank to change US dollars, Swiss francs or British pounds.

Business hours
Regular businesses and governmental agencies work from 08:00-09:00 to 16:00-17:00, while convenience stores, pharmacies and shops usually work until 20:00-21:00. Bars, pubs and restaurants usually work until midnight or 01:00 while clubs may run until 03:00 or 04:00.

Local specialities

 * Cheese
 * Smoked ham
 * Traditional clothes
 * Souvenirs

City stores

 * City centre and Bulevar Džordža Vašingtona in Podgorica
 * Porto Montenegro
 * many shops in Old Towns of Kotor and Budva

Shopping malls

 * Delta City in Podgorica
 * TQ Centre in Budva
 * Kamelija in Kotor

Convenience shops & supermarkets

 * Voli markets, HD Laković, Maxi Markets and Roda are main retail supermarket chains and are found in almost all cities. There are also other convenience stores that stuff various goods. The prices of basic local food (baked goods, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables) are on the level of Bosnia and Serbia, i.e. generally cheaper than EU countries.

Eat
Apart from the hotels located in towns and summer resorts offering half-board and full-board accommodation, and those along the roads and communication lines such as restaurants, pizza places, taverns, fast food restaurants and cafes, there is a choice of national restaurants offering traditional Montenegrin cuisine.

In addition to the standard European and Mediterranean cuisine, Montenegro offers a variety of healthy food products and local specialities.

Cold hors-d'oeuvres include the famous njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and njeguški cheese, pljevaljski cheese, mushrooms, donuts and dried bleak. The main courses specific for the northern mountainous region are boiled lamb, lamb cooked in milk, cicvara in fresh milk cream (buttered corn porridge), boiled potatoes with cheese and fresh cream. A selection of traditional recipes of the central and coastal parts will include the kastradina (dried mutton), smoked and fresh carp (from Skadar lake) and a variety of fresh sea fish and seafood dishes. Donuts served with honey and dried figs are traditional desserts in these parts of Montenegro.

Products of animal origin are supervised and approved by veterinary and health authorities according to EU standards. The restaurant scene in Montenegro is rapidly evolving and has become increasingly international and continues to attract a new diverse variety of restaurants on the coast and in Podgorica.

Wine
Montenegrin vineyards and the production of quality wine is part of the tradition of southern and coastal wine makers.

The best known Montenegrin wines are the premium whites: "Krstač", "Cabernet", "Chardonnay" and reds: "Vranac", "Pro Corde". All of them are produced by the famous company "Plantaže", but there's also some home-made wines of high quality, like Crmničko wine.

1L bottle of "Vranac" red wine will cost you from €8 to €15 in the bar or restaurant and it is well worth it! Also, you can buy a bottle of "Plantaze"'s wine for about €2-4 in supermarkets.

Also, Montenegro has boutique wineries as Knezevic from Golubovci and famous brand "Monte Grande" became signature wine of the country.

Brandy
The continental region and north are more oriented towards the production of aromatic fruit flavoured brandy (plum brandy - šljivovica, apple brandy - jabukovača). Grape brandy "Montenegrin loza", "Prvijenac", "Kruna" or home made grape brandy (lozova rakija, lozovača) is a must-try, and a good choice to "warm up" before going out in the evening.

Beer
"Nikšićko" beer is the best known beer in Montenegro, and most common alcoholic beverage, which cost from €0.50 to €2.50. It is produced as a draught beer, or bottled, in both "Nik Gold" and lighter "Nik Cool" variant. The dark variant, "Nik tamno", is praised among beer lovers.

Other
Other alcoholic drinks can cost anywhere between €1 and €10.

Stay safe
Montenegro is generally a safe country. There is, like all countries in the world, criminal activities, but police forces are generally fast in their duties. The number is 122, as well as the international distress call 112. When travelling in the areas bordering Kosovo, it is recommended you keep to the main roads. Unexploded landmines may remain along the Kosovo border. You should also avoid areas where there is military activity.

In the resort towns such as Kotor, Budva, Sveti Stefan and Herceg Novi, beggars and pickpockets are not uncommon. As in many other European locations, beggars are part of organized crime groups. Do not give them money. Doing so may also make you a target for more aggressive approaches. Always carry your bags in the safest way, slung around your shoulder with the pouch in front (with your money carried under your clothing) where you can keep your arm or hand across it.

Sea urchins are small, globular, spiny sea creatures that cover much of the sea floor off the coast of Montenegro. This isn't a bad thing being as they only gather in super clear water. It's a good idea to wear sea socks or something to cover your feet while walking through the water. Also, if you snorkel, be careful and ensure you don't brush up against the ones on the sides of the rocks.

Montenegrins are not safe drivers. You will often feel as though you are competing for road space with aggressive drivers who have little regard for your or their own safety. Many people also break the speed limits. Some roads are really narrow. Consequently, the country has one of the highest rates of traffic accident fatalities in Europe.

There are two species of viper snakes in Montenegro, sarka and poskok. Both are small but very venomous, so be careful when you hike around, watch your steps and remember that they never attack people if they are not disturbed.

Stay healthy
Tap water is generally drinkable, though in some small towns it may be better to avoid it.

Respect
Short pants are usually not permitted inside public institutions (hospitals, etc.) Wear modest clothing when visiting monasteries and churches.

At beaches, taking off the bottom piece of a swimsuit will likely create a stir and is generally reserved for designated nude beaches.

When toasting and clinking glasses, look the opposite person in the eyes or else it may be taken as a sign of disrespect.

Being visibly drunk is a sign of bad taste and character in Montenegro: you may be invited to drink gallons but you're expected to be able to hold it. People also usually prefer to sip their liquor instead of emptying it "bottoms-up" style. Be careful: rakija, a plum spirit, is probably going to be stronger than you expect (usually about 53% alcohol content) and will make you drunk fast!

Internet
Wi-Fi points in bars and cafeterias are abundant, and most hotels and apartments offer Wi-Fi. Also, many banks have open Wi-Fi spots. Some central tourist areas are also covered by Wi-Fi.

Be conscious of security when using an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

Mobile
You can buy mobile phone sim cards at the airport, bus station, or malls for €10-20 by showing your ID or a passport.

There are three major network operators on Montenegro: telenor / One, m:tel, and T-Mobile. They all have the same packages as of September 2023: €10 for 7 days with 500GB, €15 for 15 days with 500GB, or €20 for 30 days with 1TB. (That is not a typo. They really offer one terabyte of data.)

(Bonus tip for Podgorica: If you are running late but desperately need a sim card, go to the mall "Delta City" west of the city center. All three providers are present there and it is open until 22:00.)

Many mobile providers in the Balkans provide free roaming across Balkan countries. So, in case you are planning to cross the border, ask on how to use the local SIM card in other Balkan countries. For instance, a One.al SIM card from Albania works flawlessly in North Macedonia and Kosovo with a regular Albanian package.

title: Montenegro


text:
Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a city in Tuscany famous for its wines, especially the classic red wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The town has gained notability from being used as a location for the Twilight films.

Understand
Montepulciano is one of many Medieval towns dotting the Tuscan countryside in the southeast of the Italian province of Siena. It sits on a limestone ridge surrounded by the rolling hills of the Val D'Orcia and of the Val Chiana regions characteristic of towns in the area.

Montepulciano is known especially for its red wine made from Sangiovese grapes, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Its local wine is traditionally considered one of Italy's best red wines and was lauded by the poet Francesco Redi as "the king of all wines!" (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, on the other hand, is a varietal wine that is not made here, but in Abruzzo.)

Montepulciano is also known for food such as pici pasta and pecorino cheese.

It is said to have been settled first by the Etruscans. The town was fought over by the Sienese and Florentines during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Finally, in the 1500s, it came firmly under Florentine rule. Today, the town of 14,000 people (2017) is known as an epicurean destination and many visit to sample the local wine and cuisine.

By road
Montepulciano is a few kilometres from the A1 Autostrada and from the more scenic SS2 from Rome to Florence. Cars are not allowed inside the old town as it is a ZTL-controlled area (except with a permit, available from hotels) so park in one of the numerous lots at the edge of the town. The lots fill up quickly in late summer, the height of the tourist season.

By bus
Buses, departing from Piazza Pietro Nenni, connect Montepulciano with many other Tuscan cities: Siena (75 minutes, 4/day none on Sunday), Pienza (30 minutes, 8/day), Montalcino (1 hour, 10/day, change in Torrenien) and Chiusi (hourly). Route #146 into Montepulciano is quite scenic. See Tuscany for tips.

If you are walking into town from the bus station (autostazione in Italian), there is a pedestrian short-cut with an elevator and stairs to the top of the cliff. The entrance is through a portal on Via delle Lettere at the corner of Piazzale dello Sterro, about 50 m from the bus station.

By rail
The nearest railhead is a half-hour drive away at Chiusi from where there are frequent trains to Florence and Rome.

Get around
The only way to get around within the historic centre is to walk along the steep pathways. Driving within the historical old town is not permitted without fines unless you are a local with a permit. Outside the historic old town, a car is recommended to drive around the countryside and outer town. Road biking is also possible, although be wary of cars on the narrow, curving, and rolling roads.

Do

 * Tastings can be done in the Cantinas along Via Ricci & Via di Gracciano nel Corso, but the most fun one is in the basement of the Contucci Palace, on Piazza Grande. Free tasting, no food, open daily 08:30-12:30 & 14:30-18:30. Groups welcome with a reservation. Telephone: +39 0578-757-006
 * The house and property of La Foce is a short drive away. The 15th-century villa was built as an inn for pilgrims and merchants traveling on the ancient road to Rome, Via Francigena. Restored as a private home by Iris and Antonio Origo, the house and the gardens make for a pleasant two-hour visit from Montepulciano. The villa and property (as also are Montepulciano and Chiusi) are the centrepiece of the very readable book War in the Val D'Orcia by Iris Origo. Summertime music concerts are also featured. All tours are guided, so call ahead.

Drink
Montepulciano is the centre of an ancient wine-growing region, so go ahead and sample some. Three varieties of wine are available (all are mostly from the sangiovese grape): Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva, in increasing order of subtlety and price. The wines tend to be full-bodied, the kind that goes well with a picture of generations of Tuscan peasants, sitting in the fields, eating cinghiale (boar) while swigging the good stuff!

Check out the cafe and wine bar within the Fortezza Di Montepulciano, which is the headquarters of the local winery consortium. There is a glass floor over archaeological excavations of the fortress within the bar. You can sample glasses of wine from dozens of local producers as well as others nearby such as Brunello di Montalcino wines for on average €3-6/glass through a wine dispenser controlled by a key card system. Ask for a card from the cashier of the bar.

Sleep

 * Camere Bellavista has 10 rooms, some with better views than others. Room 6 has a terrace worth reserving. Double w/bathroom €55, nicer double w/bathroom €65, breakfast €2.50, cash only, no elevator, on Via Ricci 25, little English spoken, Mobile phone: 347-823-2314
 * Camere Bellavista has 10 rooms, some with better views than others. Room 6 has a terrace worth reserving. Double w/bathroom €55, nicer double w/bathroom €65, breakfast €2.50, cash only, no elevator, on Via Ricci 25, little English spoken, Mobile phone: 347-823-2314

Go next

 * Chiusi
 * Chianciano Terme
 * Pienza
 * Radicofani
 * Siena

title: Montepulciano


text:
Montería

Monteria is a city in Córdoba.

Understand
Montería is a city with about 275,000 inhabitants in the Cordoba department in Colombia. Even though it is not a coast city, Monterians call themselves 'costeños', and are said to speak 'costeñol' (from the words español + costeño). They see themselves as cheerful, relaxed and informal, and are very proud of it. Most of the times, the letters s and r in the middle and ending of words are not pronounced. For example, escolar (scholar) would be pronounced e-colá.

Get in
There are several bus
 * from Cartagena: COP$45,000, 4.5 hours (every hour)
 * from Turbo: COP$15,000, 2½ hours (every half hour)
 * from Tolú: COP$18,000, 2 hours (every hour)
 * from Medellin: COP$100,000, 10 hours

The bus terminal is 2 km southeast from downtown on calle 41. Frequent MetroSinu bus (yellow in colour) takes you there for COP$1800. The buses leave from inside the terminal.

Get around
Motorcycles Montería's vehicle of choice is motorcycles. Mototaxis are, as their name suggests, motorcycle taxis. They are the cheapest and fastest way to get around, a carrera costing around COP$1000. On Tuesdays, motorcycles are banned from the city, which results in less traffic but slower buses.

Busetas Buses are called busetas. The safest ones are yellow, from the company MetroBus. It costs COP$1400 for a ride, but with an ElTike card, a ride is COP$1160. ElTike cards can be purchased at the MetroBus terminal for COP$5000 and the minimum recharge is for COP$14,000.

Taxi All the taxis in Montería are regulated, so they are very safe. They can be stopped on the street or be called to pick one up. During the day, a carrera is COP$4000. Foreigners should negotiate the price before getting in the taxi or risk being charged more. By night, it can be more than twice the cost than a regular ride; the destination also affects the cost. Be sure to negotiate with the driver before getting in.

Planchón Montería is divided by the River Sinú. It can be crossed by either bridges, or by planchón. Planchón is a sort of flat boat which crosses the River at only $300.00 COP. Any of the planchones that are on the Ronda del Sinú are perfectly safe, but it is advised not to go to the ones by the market after dark.

title: Montería


text:
Monterey

There is more than one place called Monterey:

Australia

 * A coastal bayside suburb in Botany Bay/Port Botany

United States of America

 * Monterey (California) - A town on the Monterey Bay in the state of California.
 * Monterey (Massachusetts) - A town in the state of Massachusetts.

Mexico

 * Monterrey - Largest city in northeastern Mexico and a major industrial powerhouse.

title: Monterey


text:
Monterey (California)

Monterey is a city (population 28,000 in 2018) in the Monterey County area of Monterey Bay in California. Monterey is one of the more beautiful coastal cities of California, and then a historic city can make for a great two-day trip for those visiting San Francisco or a weekend getaway for California natives. It has more historic buildings in its downtown than any other city west of Santa Fe, and a world-class aquarium.

Understand

Monterey was once the capital of California. Today it is widely known for its beautiful coastline, and from the many John Steinbeck novels set there, including Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat.

Rugged terrain and vicious Pacific currents made much of the California coast virtually unexplorable to European ships. After a disastrous attempt to explore this new territory by sea, Spanish missionaries in Mexico launched a series of overland expeditions from San Diego. Monterey was established in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra and soon became a Spanish military base with a small fort or "presidio" located near a calm harbor that could provide shelter to supply ships. The military presence eventually gave way to a thriving commercial trade that brought in many enterprising foreign merchants.

Once Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Monterey became the capital of Alta California under Mexican rule. From this era come many classic stories of flirtation, fashion, and politics in the Mexican colonial era. Lands once owned by the government began to come into private hands, and local families began to consolidate their property and power into business enterprises based on the ranches or "ranchos," where they raised cattle or invented the famous Monterey Jack cheese.

Monterey soon fell under American power in the Mexican-American War and remained the capital of the territory. A delegation of writers drafted the constitution which marked the entrance of the State of California into the United States of America. This era saw the mass northward migration of ambitious people in search of gold, which led to a near desertion of the town. Monterey soon recovered, however, and today is known for its magnificent natural beauty, world famous Aquarium, and temperate year-round climate.

The Monterey Peninsula has the largest population of sea otters on the California coast. The abundance of marine wildlife visible from the shoreline is one of the primary attractions of the region. Seals, sea lions, and sea otters are visible year-round, and migrating whales are commonly seen in the fall and spring months.

Alvarado Street serves as downtown Monterey's "main drag." It has superb restaurants, a selection of bars, and unique shops.

By plane

 * Due to the high fares and limited schedules, you may want to consider flying into San Jose International Airport or San Francisco International Airport, and travelling by bus or car to Monterey. The Monterey Airbus provides scheduled service from both airports.
 * Due to the high fares and limited schedules, you may want to consider flying into San Jose International Airport or San Francisco International Airport, and travelling by bus or car to Monterey. The Monterey Airbus provides scheduled service from both airports.

By car

 * California 1.svg (the Pacific Coast Highway) runs through Monterey, providing access from the north Santa Cruz (50 minutes), and from the south along the world-famous Big Sur coast.
 * US 101.svg to California 156.svg From the San Francisco Bay Area, take US 101 south through San Jose and Gilroy to State Highway 156, going west at Prunedale (inland of Monterey Bay, north of Salinas). Go west  on State Highway 156 (a two-lane highway that often gets congested on touristy weekends) through Castroville, at which point State Highway 156 becomes a freeway and shortly thereafter merges with southbound Highway 1. Monterey is then  south along Highway 1.

If heading to Cannery Row or the Aquarium, look for brown signs that advise which exit to take. (If Highway 1 has ceased to be a freeway, you've gone past Monterey and are near Carmel.)

 * California 17.svg From the San Francisco Bay Area, internet map sites, mapping software, and GPS systems will advise you to take State Route 17 to Santa Cruz and then State Route 1 south. Although State Route 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains is shorter than US 101, it is filled with sharp curves and corners, is often highly congested, and accident-prone, so may actually take longer to drive than Highway 101, and certainly is a more stressful drive. At uncongested times and in good weather, SR 17 can be enjoyable, but otherwise opt for US 101 and State Route 156.
 * California 1.svg Alternatively, for a more scenic but even slower route from San Francisco, you can take State Route 1 all the way along the coast to Monterey from San Francisco. The difference in driving time, compared to taking US 101, is about a half hour, but the ocean-side scenery makes that worth it, particularly if there isn't fog along the coast.
 * US 101.svg to California 68.svg From the south, take US 101 north to Salinas, then State Route 68 west to Monterey.

Again, for a scenic but slower route, you can take State Route 1 along the coast north to Monterey through Big Sur. That route is extraordinarily scenic but also full of very tight turns and a lot of stretches that require patient, careful driving. From Morro Bay (on the Pacific Ocean, to the west of San Luis Obispo), the drive to Monterey through Big Sur takes, in good driving conditions, about a half hour longer than going via Salinas and US 101. But the Big Sur coastal route should be avoided if there is any chance of fog, or in darkness—it's just too twisty, with too many dropoffs, to be advisable for drivers unfamiliar with the route, in adverse driving conditions. In the winter rainy season, it is always wise to check to make sure that the Big Sur route is open to through traffic—occasionally, a rock slide will close the road for a short period.

Despite Monterey's popularity, all of the above routes will require you to traverse a two-lane road section at some point: State Route 1 between just south of Watsonville and Castroville, State Route 156 between Prunedale and Castroville, State Route 68 between Salinas and Monterey, or State Route 1 from most of the way from Morro Bay up to Carmel. Because the Monterey Peninsula is so popular with tourists, all of those roads are often busy with traffic, particularly on weekends, which means there is a higher risk of traffic delays and even of head-on crashes. No matter which route you take, drive with caution.

By train
Amtrak's Coast Starlight train stops in Salinas. From the Salinas transit center, take the Monterey-Salinas Transit route 21 or 56 to Monterey. Amtrak runs a Thruway bus service from the station to the major hotels of Monterey and on to Carmel.

Get around

For car drivers, garage parking is available, and street parking is often free for periods of two hours on weekends and after 6PM. Many hotels offer parking for an additional charge. The Cannery Row area (where the Aquarium is located) has an aggressive, expensive parking ticket policy. A few minutes over at a meter and you will be welcomed to town with a $35 parking ticket.

See

Do

 * Play on the dunes and the shore at one of the city's five public beaches. Enjoy a romantic or family style Monterey bonfire on the beach.
 * Several companies offer year-round whale watching boat tours, departing daily from Fisherman's Wharf. The area is particularly famous for sightings of gray whales as they travel to warmer waters during the winter and early spring.
 * Get your wet suit on and go scuba diving. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has the most amazing kelp forests on the West Coast, and an incredible collection of marine life.
 * Get a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay (and Carmel to the south) from, the highest point on the Monterey Peninsula and amazingly free of crowds.
 * Golf at the local public courses, , . If you're lucky, you might be able to get a tee time at the world-renowned Pebble Beach.
 * Find out about upcoming events on the events calendar of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
 * Several companies offer year-round whale watching boat tours, departing daily from Fisherman's Wharf. The area is particularly famous for sightings of gray whales as they travel to warmer waters during the winter and early spring.
 * Get your wet suit on and go scuba diving. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has the most amazing kelp forests on the West Coast, and an incredible collection of marine life.
 * Get a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay (and Carmel to the south) from, the highest point on the Monterey Peninsula and amazingly free of crowds.
 * Golf at the local public courses, , . If you're lucky, you might be able to get a tee time at the world-renowned Pebble Beach.
 * Find out about upcoming events on the events calendar of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
 * Golf at the local public courses, , . If you're lucky, you might be able to get a tee time at the world-renowned Pebble Beach.
 * Find out about upcoming events on the events calendar of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
 * Find out about upcoming events on the events calendar of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

Eat
The local specialties are artichokes and sanddabs. Artichokes can be found at nearly every restaurant - fried, grilled, broiled, boiled, in soup, on pizza and almost any other way you can imagine. The nearby town of Castroville is "the artichoke center of the world," and the local source for the wealth of artichokes. Sanddabs are a local seafood, often served fried. Clam Chowder in sourdough bread can be found at Fisherman´s Wharf. Abalone is available, too, but expensive. The area is notable for other seafood delicacies, including calamari and Dungeness crab.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium runs a "Seafood Watch" program, and keeps a list of which sea life is overfished and which are safe, and environmentally friendly, to eat. Pick a copy of the list up at the Aquarium, or around town. Many local restaurants have signed on to the Seafood Watch program.

Monterey's status as a tourist destination have provided it with a wealth of restaurants beyond what might be expected in a community this size. Almost every cuisine, from oriental to occidental, may be found represented - and usually represented well - in the local area, including the neighbouring communities of Pacific Grove, Seaside, and Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Carmel Valley.

Drink
Monterey has many superb vineyards located near the town. There are a number of tasting rooms located on Cannery Row, all within an easy walk. Some, such as and  provide wines from only one winery. allows visitors to try wines from throughout Monterey County, while taking in a spectacular panoramic view of Monterey Bay through their windows.

Monterey-Salinas Transit's bus route Number 24, also called "The Grapevine Express", leaves from downtown Monterey and stops at all the wineries in nearby Carmel Valley. A daypass, which allows riders to hop on and off at will, is $10 as of May 2020. Maps and schedules, which detail the wineries that the route stops at, are available at Monterey County Visitors Centers.

Alvarado Street has the densest collection of bars and pubs in the area.

Stay safe
Monterey is a safe, low-crime town and you should have no issues during your visit. However, if you plan on scuba diving or surfing while you're here, a wetsuit is a must as the ocean tends to be very cold year-round. Additionally, while shark attacks are rare, they have occurred before. Stay vigilant while enjoying the ocean!

Go next

 * Carmel - southwest of Monterey, Carmel is a beautiful oceanside town that is home to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, several large beaches, excellent restaurants and an abundance of upscale lodging. It borders the iconic Pebble Beach golf course and is the entry point to the 17-mile drive and its dramatic ocean views.
 * Salinas - inland, fans of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck will want to visit the National Steinbeck Center and soak in the sights that were the inspiration for much of the author's work. The historic downtown dates back to the town's founding in the mid-1800s, while the surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and both floral and vegetable cultivation.  Events include the California Rodeo, which is held during the third week of July.
 * Pacific Grove - adjacent to Monterey, Pacific Grove is a beautiful town that is home to the oldest continually operated lighthouse on the West Coast, and more Victorian homes per capita than anywhere else in America. It is also the northern gateway of the scenic 17-Mile Drive. The town's rocky coastline is filled with tide pools that are easy to explore, seals, sea otters and sea lions are commonly seen in the waters, and adding to its bounty of natural riches, in the winter thousands of monarch butterflies gather in a grove at the town's center.
 * Seaside - neighboring Monterey to the northeast, Seaside is most often visited by those looking for lodging or restaurants close to the town of Monterey. However, the town does have a few attractions of its own, including the Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses, part of the former Fort Ord military base, which hosted the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship.  The town is also home to Sand City, an artist community within the city limits that hosts an arts festival each August.

title: Monterey (California)


text:
Monterey (Massachusetts)

Monterey  is a small town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

Get in
Take Exit 2 off Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) in Lee. Follow Route 102 west for 4.7 miles to Stockbridge. Turn left and follow Route 7 south for 6.1 miles to Great Barrington. Turn left and follow Route 23 east for 5.3 miles to Monterey.

title: Monterey (Massachusetts)


text:
Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is a beautiful and marine-rich area that straddles the border between the rugged Central Coast and the Bay Area regions of California. The area was immortalized by the works of novelist John Steinbeck. The northern half is in Santa Cruz County and the southern half in Monterey County.

Santa Cruz County

 * Capitola
 * Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz is best known as a countercultural hub, with a fun bohemian feel and youthful vibe, and weekend tourist attractions like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a historic mission, and the dubious Mystery Spot. The beaches north and south of Santa Cruz are considered some of the more pristine areas of natural beauty in central California, and while conditions generally make them impractical for swimming, several are considered an expert surfer's cold cold paradise.
 * Watsonville

Monterey County

 * Carmel - Carmel is a beautiful oceanside town that is home to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, several large beaches, excellent restaurants and an abundance of upscale lodging. It borders the iconic Pebble Beach golf course and is the entry point to the 17-mile drive and its dramatic ocean views.
 * Monterey - Founded in 1770, Monterey served as the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico, was a bustling fishing port until the 1950s, and is now a major tourist destination. Attractions include a pier filled with seafood restaurants, a world-class aquarium, a harbor that is home to an enormous number of seabirds, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and other marine life, the historic Cannery Row, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, or other excursions into Monterey Bay.
 * Pacific Grove - Located adjacent to the city of Monterey, Pacific Grove is a beautiful town that is home to the oldest continually operated lighthouse on the West Coast, and more Victorian homes per capita than anywhere else in America. It is also the northern gateway of the scenic 17-Mile Drive. The town's rocky coastline is filled with tide pools that are easy to explore, seals, sea otters and sea lions are commonly seen in the waters, and adding to its bounty of natural riches, in the winter thousands of monarch butterflies gather in a grove at the town's center.

title: Monterey Bay


text:
Monterey County

Monterey County contains a sizable part of the Central Coast of California and the southern half of Monterey Bay. The area is known for its wildlife and rugged coastline, much of it protected in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the largest US national marine sanctuary and home to a fantastic number of mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants.

Cities

 * - Carmel is a beautiful oceanside town that is home to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, several large beaches, excellent restaurants and an abundance of upscale lodging. It borders the iconic Pebble Beach golf course and is the entry point to the 17-Mile Drive and its dramatic ocean views.
 * - Less famous than its seaside namesake to the west, this tiny village is home to quaint inns and upscale resorts, but is best known for the wineries that fill the valley. The area is also excellent for hiking, biking and horseback riding, with miles of trails through the mountains and along the Carmel river.
 * - King City might just be a place to spend the night while driving along Highway 101 for most travelers, but those who visit in early May can attend the Salinas Valley Fair, an event which offers a rodeo, livestock competitions, and a chance to experience the agricultural character of the area. The town is also home to the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum, which offers a history of the area's agricultural development and the opportunity to tour a historic school house and rail depot.
 * - Marina is a small city that offers a handful of hotels and restaurants, but may be more interesting to travelers for the nature opportunities around the town. The Marina Dunes Natural Preserve protects the largest sand dunes on the Central Coast, while the Fort Ord National Monument offers  of countryside and  of hiking trails on a former army base that was declared a national monument in 2012.
 * - Founded in 1770, Monterey served as the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico, was a bustling fishing port until the 1950s, and is now a major tourist destination. Attractions include a pier filled with seafood restaurants, a world-class aquarium, a harbor that is home to an enormous number of seabirds, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and other marine life, the historic Cannery Row, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, or other excursions into Monterey Bay.
 * - Located halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey, this tiny town is often overlooked but offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities at Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest saltwater estuaries in California and a great place to spot sea otters. The harbor is also the departure point for several whale watching companies.  Amenities for travelers are limited, although there are several restaurants in the harbor area.
 * - Located adjacent to the city of Monterey, Pacific Grove is a beautiful town that is home to the oldest continually operated lighthouse on the West Coast, and more Victorian homes per capita than anywhere else in America. It is also the northern gateway of the scenic 17-Mile Drive. The town's rocky coastline is filled with tide pools that are easy to explore, seals, sea otters and sea lions are commonly seen in the waters, and adding to its bounty of natural riches, in the winter thousands of monarch butterflies gather in a grove at the town's center.
 * - Fans of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck will want to visit the National Steinbeck Center and soak in the sights that were the inspiration for much of the author's work. The historic downtown dates back to the town's founding in the mid-1800s, while the surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and both floral and vegetable cultivation. Events include the California Rodeo, which is held during the third week of July.
 * - Seaside is most often visited by those looking for lodging or restaurants close to the town of Monterey. However, the town does have a few attractions of its own, including the Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses, part of the former Fort Ord military base, which hosted the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship.  The town is also home to Sand City, an artist community located within the city limits that hosts an arts festival each August.
 * - Located inland along Highway 101, Soledad is the western gateway to Pinnacles National Park and also home to Mission Soledad, one of 21 historic Spanish missions in California. The town is also home to several wineries, with tasting rooms that offer magnificent views over the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Salinas Valley.

Other destinations

 * - The Big Sur region can be loosely defined as the stretch of coastline between Carmel and San Simeon, and the steep cliffs, rocky coast, churning waves, abundant wildlife, redwoods, and remoteness make it one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It is served by Highway 1.

Understand

While best known for the wild coastline of Big Sur and the historic Monterey Bay, Monterey County includes the rugged Coastal Range and the inland corridor of U.S. Highway 101. Wine tourism is popular in the Salinas Valley around Salinas and in the Carmel Valley area.

Get in
The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is the main coastal route through the region, offering scenic views out onto the ocean. Highway 101 also traverses the region, traveling north-to-south further inland, east of the mountains. Travelers looking for the most scenic route will want to use Highway 1, while those in a hurry should choose Highway 101.

El Camino Real (The Royal Road), a historic route connecting all of California's 21 Spanish missions, passes through the county, roughly following Highway 1 in the north and Highway 101 further south.

Monterey Regional Airport : Due to the high fares and limited schedules, you may want to consider flying into San Jose International Airport or San Francisco International Airport. Monterey has regular flights from Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle-Tacoma on Alaska Airlines dba Horizon Air or SkyWest Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Eagle, JSX, and United Express.

Go next

 * - Located north of Monterey County, the second-smallest county in the state is home to the quirky town of Santa Cruz and a rugged coast that is equally popular with surfers and elephant seals. The Santa Cruz mountains are the abode of redwoods and bright yellow banana slugs, both of which can be easily seen on the many hiking trails.  Other portions of the county are known for agriculture, with farm stands dotting the roads.
 * - East of Monterey County, San Benito County is an inland county dominated by the Coast Mountain Range. It is relatively sparsely populated, with only about 55,000 inhabitants.  Pinnacles National Park and its dramatic rock formations lies in this county, as well as the town of San Juan Bautista and its historic mission.
 * - Monterey County's neighbor to the east, sprawling Fresno County is home to Fresno, California's fifth-largest city, and vast agricultural areas. The eastern side of the county is mountainous, featuring the remote wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park, which attracts visitors to its giant sequoias and unspoiled meadows that lie at the crest of the Sierra Nevada range.
 * - Located southeast of Monterey County, rural Kings County is responsible for billions of dollars of annual agricultural production, much of it from the dairy industry. Travelers passing through on Interstate 5 may find the area lacking in attractions, although there are a few hotels and other amenities in the county's small towns.
 * - Bordering Monterey County to the southeast, Kern County extends across a number of geographic regions: the western portion is in the San Joaquin Valley, the northeastern portion is in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the southeastern part is in the Desert. Visitors to the county are most likely to be heading to Bakersfield, one of California's largest cities, or traveling along Interstate 5 past oil fields and agricultural areas.
 * - San Luis Obispo County is located to the south of Monterey County, and it marks a noticeable shift in landscape from areas to the south, with a dramatic and remote coastline that draws nature lovers. Hearst Castle is located here, the massive and historic former home of the newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. The town of San Luis Obispo is a college town that is the last large city for over  for those traveling north along the coast.

title: Monterey County


text:
Monterey Park

Monterey Park is in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California.

Get in
Monterey Park is located about 8 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and is most easily accessible by car via the 10, 60 or 710 freeways.

Get around
Monterey Park has its own citywide bus system called the SPIRIT. Local area school kids affectionately dub it "the trolley".

See
Known as "Little Taipei" in the 1980s, Downtown Monterey Park (along Garvey Avenue) contains many Chinese businesses and restaurants. These authentic restaurants are often viewed as Monterey Park's biggest claim to fame. Like South Bay area in relation to Little Tokyo, Monterey Park and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley area (plus Rowland Heights further east on the 60 freeway) is the new residential heart of the Chinese community in Los Angeles.

While ethnic Chinese represents more than half of the city's population, incredible diversity exists in the city. Monterey Park is home to families who trace their roots to places as different as Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Monterey Park - Asian-American friendly, All-American, and 100% Angeleno!

Eat
This is the San Gabriel Valley, which in Monterey Park primarily means: delicious, authentic Asian food. Asian style pastries and other baked goods from the many bakeries around town (try the mango cake).

 * Daikokuya Monterey Park, 111 Atlantic Blvd #241. Japanese ramen house. +1 626-570-1930
 * Daikokuya Monterey Park, 111 Atlantic Blvd #241. Japanese ramen house. +1 626-570-1930
 * Daikokuya Monterey Park, 111 Atlantic Blvd #241. Japanese ramen house. +1 626-570-1930
 * Daikokuya Monterey Park, 111 Atlantic Blvd #241. Japanese ramen house. +1 626-570-1930

title: Monterey Park


text:
Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni is a commune in the Province of Siena in the Italian region of Tuscany. It borders on the communes of Casole d'Elsa, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Poggibonsi, Siena and Sovicille.

Understand
On a small natural hillock, this completely walled medieval town in the Siena Province of Tuscany was built in the 13th century by the overlords of Siena to command the Cassia Road running through the Val d'Elsa and Val Staggia just to the west of Monteriggioni. Today, the town of Monteriggioni is the principal center in the modern Comune of Monteriggioni which encompasses 19.49 square kilometers in the area around the town. Distances from other major towns and cities are:

 * Siena –
 * Volterra –
 * Florence –
 * Pisa –
 * Lucca –
 * Arezzo –
 * Rome –

Except for some work done in the 16th century, very little has been done to Monteriggioni's walls or buildings since they were first erected. Monteriggioni's walls and the buildings that make up the town are the best-preserved examples of their kind in all of Italy, so it is not surprising that it attracts buses full of tourists, but also architects, historians and archaeologists.

The more or less circular walls with a total length of about 570 metres were built between 1213 and 1219, following the natural contours of the hill. There are fourteen towers on square bases set at equidistance, and two portals or gates. One gate, the Porta Fiorentina, opens toward Florence to the north, and the other, the Porta Romana, faces Rome to the south. The main street within the walls connects the two gates in a more or less straight line.

The main piazza, the Piazza Roma, is dominated by a Romanesque church with a simple, plain facade. Other houses, some in the Renaissance style, were once owned by local nobles, gentry and wealthy merchants facing into the piazza. Off the main piazza, smaller streets give way to public gardens fronted by the other houses and small businesses of the town. In more hostile times, these gardens provided vital sustenance when enemies gathered without.

The town is featured prominently in the Assassin's Creed video game series.

By plane
The nearest international airport is  which is about  away. Alternatively there is, around  away.

By car
Monteriggioni is located a short distance from Overpass Florence - Siena. Convenient parking places are located in the immediate vicinity of the town which is also within walking distance. Note that although the town is on a hill access is virtually free of architectural barriers.

Get around
The town is very small and easily walkable. However, it's recommended to have a car to visit the attractions outside of the town's walls.

See

Go next

 * Siena
 * Florence
 * Montepulciano – Another hillside town, known for its wine production.

title: Monteriggioni


text:
Monterosso

Monterosso is one of the villages of Cinque Terre, in Italy. Travelling northward, Monterosso is the fifth village and the most touristed, since it boasts a proper beach and is home to several larger, fancier hotels. Like the other villages, it is a shining gem along the sea.

See

title: Monterosso