Large Stone House with Pool & Stunning Bay Views

The ancient stone Drazin Vrt House was renovated to a high standard in recent years using local craftsmen and the finest materials. The House is located in the hamlet of Drazin Vrt, close to the Venetian-era Perast (“the most beautiful village in the former Yugoslavia”) and lovely Orahovac. The House has stunning, elevated views of the UNESCO-protected Kotor Bay fjord. There is private parking out front, terraces and a new swimming pool. It’s a short walk to the Bajova Kula summer beach club. The Drazin Vrt House is a beautifully renovated old Balkan stone house by the side of the incredible Kotor Bay. Watch cruise ships and other craft float past as you lounge in the small private swimming pool or relax in front of the house with a glass of chilled local wine. The ground floor is open plan with Carrera Marble floors and a designer kitchen. Supper can be taken inside or out, on the terrace in front of the house. Or you can have a BBQ on the quiet terrace behind the property. There are four bedrooms over the upper two floors and three bathrooms. The floors on the upper floors are solid wood. The House has a light, airy, open plan feel throughout. Wi-fi works best on the ground floor. In summer the house is all about communal areas. We have designed four main areas in this respect: 1. The swimming pool and side terrace. 2. The back terrace. Great for post-sunset BBQs or shade during the day. 3. The front terrace, assuming you don’t have 2 hire cars. This area has the best Bay views. 4. The open-plan ground floor. This is where our teenagers tend to hang out - good Wi-fi and large sofas. The house is situated off and above the 2-lane road that goes around Kotor Bay. As Londoners we regard the property as very peaceful but those seeking absolute tranquility and a complete absence of road noise should maybe look at properties on the Lustica Peninsula. Guests have complete use of the house, terraces, private swimming pool and two parking spaces in front of the house. We live in the U.K. and probably won’t be around. However, we have wonderful property managers in country (Nicky and Gema) should any problems arise. Montenegro has occasional power cuts (remember the U.K. in the 1970s?) If the electricity goes out then check whether other houses have lighting. If they don’t then be patient. If they do then check the switch boxes. If the switches haven’t been tripped then please call Nicky. But don’t worry - these power cuts are getting rarer and rarer. We have the best Wi-fi possible in the region but this isn’t as good as U.K. standards at time. Please be patient if your favourite website takes a while to load occasionally. Besides, isn’t it nicer to put down that device and read a nice paperback or stroll down to the sea for a swim? If your back terrace is invaded by a friendly tortoise or two then don’t worry. Sheldon The Tortoise was a regular visitor in Summer 2016 with his little buddy mini-Sheldon. However, he hasn’t been around for a while. Maybe your children can find him in the ruins and undergrowth behind the house, watching out for harmless grass snakes obviously! Be sure not to turn off the water boilers. Assuming you avoid this there should always be enough hot water for showers. Bajova Kula is a great beach club about 300 metres walk away (turn left on the main road and follow the path). They have a restaurant and a cracking bar-cafe. We always start the day with a fabulous coffee or two under the pine trees. They rent sunloungers by the beach or feel free to throw a towel down on the ‘public’ part of the beach for free. The tunes are banging and our teenage children adore the place. Bajova Kula is open from early July until early September. The superb Perast is a 2km drive away (turn right on the main road). During the busy season park in a space just before the village (€0.50 per hour). Perast has palaces, boats to the church island (€5), great fish restaurants, bars, cafes, a few little shops, a town museum and a lovely church (walk up the tower if fit for stunning views). Unmissable. Pleasant Orohovac is about 1km in the other direction (turn left towards Kotor). Parking is tricky during the summer season but we always find a spot somewhere. There’s a delightful boutique hotel overlooking the Bay with lots of outdoor seating and a private beach area. Coffee is cheap and wonderful (ditto throughout the country) and the view stunning. Breakfast can be bought by non-guests. We often follow up with a swim from the private beach (sun-loungers probably need to be hired if needed). Kotor Old Town is about a 15-20 minute drive away depending on traffic. Lonely Planet described Kotor as their must-see global city of 2017. Another Venetian-era walled town. You will fall in love with the place. Stone palaces, great churches, an amazing ramparts walk, marina out front, restaurants (we love Cesarica), bars, cafes, crafty little shops and lots of cats. Also check out Dobrota near Kotor. A nice stroll along the Bay with plenty of waterside cafes and bars. Our favourite is a restaurant called Ellas. The mussels here are superb (the restaurant owner also owns the mussel farm and supplies much of the region). Ellas has an upper level terrace open during the summer season. During the winter months the fires are lit and we drink raki indoors while watching the soccer on TV. A few other ideas: Drive through the tunnel to Tivat and visit the new Porto Montenegro marina complex. Eat at Al Posto Guisto. Have a beer at the delightful Clubhouse bar. Wander along the seafront and try to spot Roman Abramovic, Nathan Rothschild or Novak Djokovic. We saw Novak’s Dad last time we were there. There’s a highly-rated summer beach club at Porto but it costs a small fortune and seems to be full of Russian supermodels drinking Perrier and eating kale. Be careful if Dad plans a trip there! If you’re brave take the Austrian-Hungarian road up the mountains to Lovcen and the ancient capital of Cetinje. You’ll see a different and more modest Montenegro. Stop off at the zip wire on the way, if you dare. We tried this last summer and it was outrageous. There’s one of those jungle-top family adventure things further up in the mountains. We tried it last year and it was surprisingly good. We also found a great paintball guy (ex-Yugoslav Special Forces for sure). Write to us if you want his contact details - we spent a hilarious few hours paint-balling in the forest one day. Minimal health and safety but maximum fun. Charter a boat for a day and see Montenegro from the sea. Worth the money but book way in advance during July and August. Risan is a friendly and less touristed alternative to Perast for dinner. Check out the Roman mosaics too. We go there to stock up on provisions. There are a handful of bars and restaurants in Risan that really look after their customers. If you like crowds and partying then go to Budva. Good luck with the traffic though. The famous Sveti Stefan is further down the coast. Ditto the nice but busy seaside town of Petrovac. And how about half a day at the ace water park in the hills above Budva? Sounds naff but we had a brilliant few hours braving the massive water slides. This can be booked online - the late afternoon session is cheaper. We drive through the tunnel to the Lustica Peninsula for beaches. Plavi Horizonti is great but gets crowded. Lustica has some lovely countryside and less crowds. Rosa is a great spot for a lazy fish lunch. Ditto the (one road in, one road out) seaside village of Bigova. Confident drivers should head over to the beaches of Mirista and Zanjice (follow the signs). Nice swimming with views of the old forts, plus great spots for lunch and beers. OUR FAVOURITE EATING SPOTS In no particular order: BBQ (DRAZIN VRT). Buy fish from the wonderful COGI shop (on coast road towards Kotor, on left), local meats, salad from Kotor morning market, Plantaze wine and plenty of beer. Cook up a feast and party on the back terrace after the sun has gone down. No worries about parking, driving and getting a table. AL POSTO GIUSTO (TIVAT). Located in the wonderful Porto Montenegro development. Great food, good service and a stylish waterfront location. Five star quality at three star prices. Better atmosphere and value than other eating options at Porto. The pizzas are something else. Cool spot for breakfast too. GALION (KOTOR). Great position at the end of Kotor Bay and lovely food. This is regarded as the best restaurant in Kotor and reservations are essential during the summer months. The ideal place for that special holiday meal. KONOBA CATOVICA MLINI (MORINJ). One of the most highly rated restaurants in Montenegro and justifiably so. Traditional ‘konoba’ setting and local food. Much better than the hyped and expensive sister restaurant Stari Mlini. Turn right out of the house and drive past Risan. CESARICA (KOTOR). Hidden away in an alleyway next to the famous Scorpion cafe-bar. A family-run place that never disappoints and was recommended by local friends. Try the grilled fish and chips washed down with a litre or two of house Sauvignon. The local cats will come up to your table for scraps so be prepared. ELLAS (DOBROTA). The best mussels in the Balkans at a ridiculously low price. Grown by the owner at his nearby mussel beds so freshness is guaranteed. Ellas is also a genuinely local place. Sit on the outdoor terrace for cold beer, kick-ass espresso and lots of cigarette smoke. Or eat on the roof terrace if in a large group. Or eat by the indoor fireplace in deepest darkest January. KONOBA BOKA BAY (PRCANJ). Just a faultless little fish restaurant on the other side of Kotor Bay. Lovely waterside setting and fresh fish during the season. Prcanj is also worth an hour or two. Wander down to the main church and grab a superb coffee at the no-name cafe opposite Centar Cafe. Grab a beer on the Centar terrace but avoid the food at all costs. PIZZERIA PRONTO (KOTOR). For excellent, cheap pizza in the heart of Kotor Old Town. Down the alleyway beyond Hotel Vardar (great coffee in this hotel by the way). Not many tables so you’ll need to get lucky. Wonderful choice for children. This place is popular with local folk and pizzas are big enough for two unless you’re very hungry. CONTE HOTEL (PERAST). Book a table during the summer months. Fresh fish and chilled local wine in a setting you’ve only dreamed of. This is often our ‘last meal of the holiday’ location. ASTORIA (TIVAT). Cracking hotel restaurant on the waterfront near Porto Montenegro in old Tivat. We tried this place for the first time in August 2018 and had a great meal. You should rent a car if you wish to make the most of the region. If you rent a car from Dubrovnik Airport then be sure to pay extra to get access to Montenegro (and we recommend not using the main border crossing at peak times). However, please be aware that Kotor Bay and other local roads get very busy in July and August. There is one 2-lane road around Kotor Bay and a tunnel connecting Kotor with Tivat and the main Montenegrin coast road. During the summer season long queues can form getting into and out of Kotor, and traffic can be solid in the tunnel. Ditto the road to Budva and further down the coast. Driving around Kotor Bay is a great experience but be aware that local buses are driven at great speed along narrow roads by their proud drivers. Ditto a lot of local cars. It’s a sign of Balkan masculinity to drive at great speed whatever the road conditions, and this is rewarded by high accident and death rates on the roads. Please be very careful behind the wheel and let the local speed merchants overtake you wherever safe and possible. Quite rightly there is a theoretical zero tolerance to drinking and driving. When out in the car please carry your passport, driving license and car ownership documents. Police generally don’t target tourists but you may get stopped occasionally if you’re unlucky. Parking in Kotor is tough during the summer months. We recommend the paid car parks by the sea near the Kamelia shopping centre. Or drive towards Muo and walk back a kilometre or so into Kotor Old Town. The main car park opposite Kotor Old Town fills up fast. Parking in Tivat - we recommend the car park near Porto Montenegro. Parking in Perast - there is a paid car park either side of town. It’s a short and pleasant walk into town. PARKING We advise that you park in front of the house (you will need a rental car). Drive off the main road and up the village’s one road until you come to the first bend. The Drazin Vrt House is right there. There is room for two cars on our private driveway. The easiest way to get back down the village road is to turn the car round in front of the house. Reverse out of our driveway, drive into the neighbouring driveway a couple of metres, reverse towards the wall below our swimming pool and then drive off to the left. It’s a tight turn but you’ll get used to it! The alternative is to park in the public space just off the main road (below the village noticeboard). Be careful when driving back on to the main road as some locals drive far too fast. Or there is sometimes parking space on the sea side of the main road (drive past the village coming from Kotor). HEATING We have air-conditioning units throughout the property. These work as cooling or heating devices, but trust me you won’t need the latter function after about May until around October. I tend to sleep with windows open and air-con units off during the summer months. Please turn off air-conditioning units when you’re not using rooms. And please don’t have windows open and air-con units on at the same time. This is guaranteed to bankrupt me! TRASH Please put bagged trash in the large metal communal bins that you find on the main road every few hundred yards. The nearest one - down the steps, cross the road and turn right towards Perast. CREEPY CRAWLIES We once had a guest seek compensation because of too many insects in the vicinity of the house, so here goes! Montenegro is a Mediterranean country and has lots of creepy crawlies. These include wasps, bees, hornets, mosquitos, scorpions and snakes. If you detest these critters and/or you have a severe allergy to bites/stings then think twice about holidaying in this part of the world. You will see wasps every day, mosquitos will buzz you at night if you leave the windows open and you may just see a snake rustling away in the undergrowth. Please come prepared with sprays and a sense of adventure. HEALTH & SAFETY Be careful when driving on the Montenegrin roads. Local drivers can behave like macho idiots and signalling seems to be optional. Death rates are high, as evidenced by memorials and flowers all over the place. Don’t swim in the pool and sea if you can’t swim. Watch little children around the pool at all times. Avoid climbing on walls as there’s a large drop to the road below. Don’t drink too much raki and leap out of upper floor windows. Etcetera.