After driving for half an hour, we arrive in Perast. A piece of Venice in Montenegro.Romantic streets paved with polished stone, coffee on the shore while the distinctive smell of the sea washes over you, bunches of wisteria falling from the awning, old cathedrals and churches, a short boat ride, seafood specialities… A lot of it reminds of Italy, but it's ours.
Perast is an old town-museum where every street, house, step, stone has its own storey and history, and the best testimony is the baroque architecture - most of it was created between the 17th and 18th centuries. It was built by respectable, rich sailors, and many families were of noble origin, and they nurtured culture and creativity. That artistic, fine, classy spirit Perast still has today - this energy colours this place full of palaces, chapels, churches. Vivid, elegant, small and photogenic - Perast will charm you as soon as you cross its threshold.
Enjoying a boat ride We will visit Our Lady of the Rocks which is a unique man-made island. It was created by the sinking of old ships loaded with stones. As the legend says, it was created by local sailors who discovered an icon of the Virgin and Child on a rock in the sea. After that, they placed the stone in the same place every time they returned from a successful trip, causing the island to gradually emerge. The storey continues, as every year on July 22 at sunset, local residents take out their boats and throw stones into the sea around the island.
Inside the church, you can visit the large marble altar, which is the work of Antonio Capellano, a sculptor from Genoa. On it you can see the icon of Our Lady of Škrpjela, which is the work of the painter Lovra Dobričević, one of the greatest masters of that era in the Balkans.
Stop for Fresh Oysters and Mussels. One of the favourite hidden gems on the Montenegrin coast that will amaze you. You will taste high quality organic mussels, oysters and fish, prepared in front of you. Oysters will be served fresh, with a touch of lemon juice and pepper. You will also be offered local wine that will tell you a storey with its taste. The sea is very clean and rich in marine species, such as starfish, crabs, fish, and if you are lucky you will be able to see sea turtles and dolphins. you will be able to enjoy the extraordinary landscape of the bay while all the technological processes of growing mussels and oysters will be presented from the very beginning.Shell add to each meal the smell and taste of the sea, sun and relaxation. Whether the shells are light or dark, shellfish dishes are not only very tasty but also visually impressive.Sea farmers are responsible for the cultivation of oysters, and it takes a few years before shellfish reach the tables around the world.