This jewel of the Adriatic is a real stunner. Reached by a stupendous voyage up the Bay of Kotor, this ancient Montenegrin city sits on a narrow strip of land between deep waters and the plunging, rock-strewn hillsides. It's easy to explore, since the cruise ship port is directly across the road from the Old City.
The Fortress of Saint Giovanni: The city walls run perpendicular for 1,360 steps up the flanks of the mountain above Kotor. The fortress sits at the 4,000-foot high point, with spectacular views of the town, bay, and peaks.
Bay of Kotor: The blue mirror-smooth waters of this breathtaking 17-mile-long fjord reveal a landscape of impossible beauty, with small jewel-box villages clinging to the shoreline, backed by steep limestone peaks.
Old Town: The ancient heart of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it delivers, with Venetian lions at the gate, ancient squares of stone buildings, and medieval and baroque churches.
Scenic Spots: Book a car or bus tour and head down the shore to another unforgettable UNESCO site: the village of Perast with its two island churches floating just off-shore.
Super Yachters: The same deep waters that allow cruise ships to make passage have also always made this region popular for mega yachts and the mega rich who sail them.
Cat Lovers: Pre-Internet, you had to get your kitten fix via amusing postcards and lithographs. The Cats Museum has an extensive collection, and the cat theme continues in the gift shop.
Steep Climbs: The Old Town has nearly vertical streets and walls, plus bell towers and other buildings that require stairs.
Under Construction: Kotor and all of coastal Montenegro experienced an uncontrolled building boom, much of it fueled by Russian buyers, which blighted previously undeveloped landscapes with new construction.