When embarking on a cruise, first impressions of each stop can be deceiving. The areas where these ships dock are more than likely not the best ones. They are typically industrial areas on the outskirts of the port of call. So it came as a pleasant surprise when we docked in Kotor, Montenegro, on our Mediterranean cruise a few years ago.
While Kotor is technically a port on the Adriatic Sea, to get there requires entering a twisting and winding journey through the Bay of Kotor. The bay is actually 17 miles long, and, along the way, there aren't any industrial areas to be seen. In fact, the bay is surrounded by large towering mountains with scenic little towns. I guess that I shouldn't have been surprised, as the translation of Montenegro is Black Mountain and 60% of the country is made up of mountains. The scenery can't be beat, and it remains my favorite port of call.