Kotor, Montenegro: We Weren't Ready For This
Kotor PortBrazil CountryChina CountryMalta CountryMontenegro CountryUnited Kingdom CountryVenice Port
This tiny walled city in Montenegro was given UNESCO World Heritage status before Rome, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China. We went to find out why. In this episode, we explore the medieval old town of Kotor on foot, entering through the quieter River Gate and wandering the narrow streets that were designed to confuse invading armies. We discover why Kotor is known as the City of Cats, find Venetian lions hiding on the walls, and learn the story of the devastating 1979 earthquake that half destroyed the city in just 10 seconds but ultimately led to its rescue. We also sample the local Montenegrin beer, try to avoid the Pillar of Shame, and then take on the infamous 1,350 step climb to the fortress of San Giovanni for what might be the most rewarding view of our entire trip. It nearly broke us. If you want to watch us coming back down (and almost not making it), our Nomads Club members have the exclusive B-Side waiting for them right now. Hit the Join button to get instant access. Kotor Travel Facts and Prices Mentioned In This Video: - UNESCO status: Kotor was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, before Rome (1980), the Taj Mahal (1983), and the Great Wall of China (1987) - Fortress climb: 1,350 steps to the fortress of San Giovanni, allow around one hour each way. Free entry in the off season, 15 euros in high season - Beer prices: A large draft Nikšićko costs around 5.30 euros in the old town, or as low as 4.20 euros in the nearby suburb of Dobrota - Getting around: Local taxis are booked via the Viber app by messaging Red Taxi. Buses run along the coast for 2 euros per ride but are infrequent on Sundays - Pizza: A large slice costs around 3.50 euros in the old town - Cruise ships: Kotor is a popular cruise port. The old town gets very busy when ships are in. Visit off season for a quieter experience Original Soundtrack by Adam. All music is original, composed and produced by Adam (PhD in direct audio-visual relationships) to capture the cinematic atmosphere of every destination we visit. Who are The Floating Nomads? We are Rick and Adam, The Floating Nomads. We sold the house, quit the 9 to 5 and now live a life of constant slow travel by train, ferry and water. When not on our UK narrowboat Serenissima, we live abroad for months at a time. Whether spending 200+ days in Malta and Venice or travelling from Buxton to Brazil without flying - check out our channel links section to read about that one - we share the practical reality of life on the move. Our films combine Rick's marketing strategy with Adam's music PhD to capture the authentic atmosphere of every destination we visit. Support the Journey. New Films: Every Friday evening (UK time). Channel Members: Early access every Thursday, starting at just £2.99 per month. Members also unlock exclusive B-Side extra videos. Click Join under any video to help support our work. Subscribe and join us onboard and abroad. @TheFloatingNomads #Kotor #Montenegro #FloatingNomads Chapters: 00:00 Why UNESCO Chose Kotor Before Rome 01:06 Entering the Old Town Through the River Gate 02:05 Kotor: The City of Cats 03:47 Let Me Pass Street 05:56 400 Years of Venetian Rule 07:11 The 1979 Earthquake That Changed Everything 08:44 Local Beer and the Price Check 12:56 The Leaning Clock Tower 13:43 The Pillar of Shame 20:36 The 1,350 Step Climb Begins 27:43 Entering the Fortress 28:19 We Made It: The View From the Top