Kotor, Montenegro with Oceania Riviera | The MOST Beautiful Port to Cruise Into! Ep. 5

We are Janelle and Mike and we are taking a cruise aboard the Oceana Riviera. Today we are in the port of Couture Montenegro. Come with us as we explore this unique historic town in one day. We woke up early to observe our ship navigating through the scenic channels of Montenegro. Getting to the port of Couture is almost as magical as being there. The view on both sides of us unfolded like a beautiful picture combining historic architecture with natural beauty. Before heading out we got a different view from the pool deck which was absolutely stunning with the mountains and the town surrounding us. Today we are in Couture Montenegro. It was stunning to come into port. You're surrounded by the town on all sides of you. We're going to explore the city today and see what we can find. On certain days Oceana may need to anchor in the bay and use tenders to reach the port. Fortunately we were able to dock directly at the port on this trip bypassing the waiting time for boarding groups. The Couture cruise terminal is easy to pass through and leads you directly into the city. Our first stop was the Campana Tower. The Campana Tower is a significant part of the old town of Couture's ancient defenses. Built in the 13th to 14th centuries it was strategically placed near the meeting point of the river Skirda and the innermost part of the bay of Couture. Later we will have the opportunity to observe the view from the top of the tower. The town's main entrance is a historical monument from 1555 representing the Venetian rule from 1420 to 1797. Above symbols from a different time celebrate the town's liberation with a communist star and Tito's quote from Nazi occupation. Alongside these markers there's an unexpected giant bench adding a fun element to the entrance for visitors to enjoy. The square of the arms in Couture is the city's central hub blending history with modern life. It's a starting point for exploring Couture known for its rich heritage and as a backdrop for films like The Dark Side of the Sun with Brad Pitt in 1987. We walked around the old town and decided to explore its maze-like streets soaking in its timeless beauty. Despite the many tourist shops that seemed to dominate the area we sought out authentic experiences. As we discovered hidden gems and historical spots we realized the importance of balancing development with preservation in such a famous location. In Couture the cats are cherished guardians with a rich heritage. For ages they've kept the town safe by controlling pests. These furry protectors symbolize Couture's resilience through tough times like wars and natural disasters. While strolling through Couture's streets visitors will encounter these cats adding charm to the town. Beyond the pest control duties these cats are seen as symbols of luck and prosperity. They embody the history and spirit of Couture making the town truly special. And as you can see we thoroughly enjoyed them. Although we chose not to hike it this time the Couture fortress on San Giovanni hill in Montenegro offers stunning views of the old town and the bay of Couture. It's part of an old defense system with gates towers and walls rich in history. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to climb the 1350 steps from the old town passing by the church of Our Lady of Remedy. The limestone walls surround the town reaching sea level in the north and west. In the south and east they climb the mountain behind. They facilitate a defense and weapon transfer with bastions for protection. Couture's walls which date from the 9th to the 19th century are well maintained after restoration post a 1979 earthquake. Although we didn't go up Saint John mountain to the fortress of Saint John we still wanted to walk some of the walls of the old town. Walking along these walls offers a preferable alternative for those capable of managing some steps as opposed to the hike up the hill. Yet another cat. It's fun Mike. Nope not me. I'm not the cat person. Eventually we came upon Gerdit gate also known as the south gate. The gate showcases architectural wonders and protects the old town playing a vital role in defense. As the day progressed we chose to return to the heart of the old town noticing a significant increase in the crowds. This suggests that arriving early in the day is a prudent decision. We enjoyed a beer and strolled past the Maritime Museum and Saint Triphon Cathedral. While you can enter these landmarks the numerous ongoing tours led us to admire them from the exterior instead. Just outside the walls there were markets bustling with food vendors. Although we weren't particularly hungry we took a moment to appreciate a vendor skillfully crafting what appeared to be a crepe. In a gesture of support we bought two coffees from her stall to savor as we relaxed before returning to the ship. They're from Austria. What's up buddy? Like nothing else on there is in English but that. What's up buddy? You're really good. It was time to bid farewell to beautiful Kotor and make our way to board the Riviera. Leaving was as beautiful as when we arrived in the morning and we all appreciated watching the stunning city slowly fade from view. On the next episode we explore the enchanting ports of Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey. Thank you so much for watching. Make sure to hit the like button and subscribe as it really supports our channel. See you in Turkey.