During our drive, Sandra, who is local to the area, regaled us with a little of Montenegro’s economic history too. In the early 90s the Yugoslav dinar currency went through hyperinflation – the monthly inflation rate went from 50% in February 1992 to 100% in June that same year which was just devastating.
Some time later the currency was discontinued and Germany stepped in and ‘loaned’ them the Deutschmark as their sole legal tender.
Sandra had kept a copy of the original currency which was effectively something like a one billion note which was the equivalent of just £100. It’s just bizarre, and today, they use the euro currency and are one of the only countries to use it as legal tender and not reside in the EU.
We just felt so fortunate to have this ‘insider knowledge’. While it isn’t always the case that you’ll have a local host or director on your tour, I think they all do a marvellous job at keeping in touch with local life and history seeing as they visit so often, even if they were not born there.
AN AMAZING STAY
Our hotel was lovely and sat high up on a pine-forested clifftop which overlooks Cavtat Bay and all rooms are afforded sea views which is a nice touch. For the best views out to the peninsula, our Holiday Director recommended we take the lift up to floor 11 for the most impressive vistas of the bay and beyond.
The hotel would also run golf buggy transport into town if you wanted to look around the waterfront, but if you’re quite active and like a ramble, it is very walkable too. From Cavtat, you could also catch a 45-minute boat ride over to Dubrovnik if you wanted to, so it was nice to have that flexibility and convenience.