| Ivo Andric, winner of a Nobel Prize
in literature, viewed Herceg Novi as a place of “eternal
greenery, sun and promenades”. Situated on the Bay
of Kotor at the entrance to the Boka Kotorska, Herceg
Novi became a popular tourist resort due to its subtropical
climate and mild winters. Originally Herceg Novi was supposed
to carry the name of Sveti Stefan. After Duke Stjepan
Vukcic Kosaca began to develop the village, it became
Herceg Novi. He turned the town into an important marketplace
and finally, as the first tourist, spent the winter here.
He simply preferred the mild coastal climate, which was
a lot more pleasant than the harsh weather in his homeland.
When the Turks began conquering the region, town by
town, Kosaca’s son Vlatko solicited support from
Venice and Hungary, but was unsuccessful.
Hotel Tip
Pansion Vila Palma: Hanna’s reputation is legendary
with the UN soldiers who monitor the Prevlaka Peninsula
because it is disputed territory between Montenegro
and Croatia, west of Herceg Novi. It doesn’t matter
if the UN Secretary General or the American Secretary
of Defense visits the base – Hanna and Boro Vitez
always receive a phone call asking if they would put
together a small buffet. Olives, smoked ham, wine, vegetables
and herbs – everything is “domaci”,
meaning homemade. Accordingly the guest book reads like
a “Who’s who?” of politicians and
militaries. The pension of this German Montenegrin couple
has 17 rooms, lodging per night is 8 €, half board
is 20 €, private beach and German filtered coffee
included. Phone 088/73 104.
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