The Perast Hideaway

Rooms

Staying in this apartment gives you a sense of independence and privacy, which we loved. Perched beside stone steps that run the height of the village, you could easy walk past this home-from-home without even realising. Thankfully you’ll be led there by a representative and given a quick introduction to the fittings, then it’s all yours.

The living space steals the show, not least because of its idyllic views of the bay. Exposed stone walls hold a relaxed seating area, a cute little dining table for 2-4 and a breakfast bar that merges into the kitchen space. Natural wood cupboards and enamel utensils create a homely feel, and self-catering soon feels like second nature.

There’s just one cosy double bedroom. It’s tucked away at the back of the apartment with a shuttered window looking onto the terrace. You get a standard-width double bed, some local art, a light double duvet, plus blankets in wooden boxes for the cooler months.

The tiled shower room is clean and functional, with a walk-in rain shower.

Dont' expect much gadgetry: there's WiFi, a bluetooth speaker (but no TV), air-conditioning and fan for the summer months. Out of season the apartment is cosy with woollen throws, electric blanket and the aircon set to heating.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

You’re likely to be making breakfasts daily, as well as the odd snack, lunch or dinner. All are perfectly doable in the apartment’s well-equipped kitchen. Open shelves display various pots and pans, while enamel utensils and mugs hang from hooks over the worktop. There’s a full cooker and hob, and a fridge with freezer compartment, plus a kettle, a teapot, a decent set of knives and a wooden chopping board. You can dine indoors, or take the lightweight table and chairs out to the secluded paved garden.

I-escape guests get a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival, but you’ll have to buy everything else - including basics like tea, coffee, salt and olive oil. There are a couple of smaller shops in the village, but the nearest supermarket is in Kotor, where there's also a good daily farmers' market.

Beyond the apartment kitchen, a clutch of waterside restaurants provide ample temptation for lazy lunches and sunset suppers. Amongst them we spotted a cosy pizzeria and an over-water eatery, but we went for the Conte restaurant (by the main square) where we enjoyed a creamy Caesar salad, fresh seafood and a crisp glass of rose while gazing out over the bay. For more choice, Kotor’s Old Town is an easy 15-minute drive along the coast.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Spend a day relaxing in the village: lounge on the small beach or jetties, swim in the Adriatic sea, and tour the handful of museums and churches that chronicle Perast’s rich history
  
• Take a boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks. This man-made islet holds a tiny 17th-century church, and offers unrivalled views of Perast and its neighbour Ostrvo Sveti Dorde, a beautiful island monastery off limits to the general public
  
• The walled Old Town of Kotor is the beating heart of this sheltered bay (15 minute drive or bus). Visit one of the myriad churches, climb St John’s Fort or come in the evening to soak up the buzzy atmosphere of the open-air cafes, bars and restaurants
  
• Kotor Bay is so sheltered, it's the perfect place to try your hand at sea-kayaking. We saw plenty of groups happily paddling along the coast, as well as independently visiting Our Lady of the Rocks island
  
• Join one of the boat tours from Kotor, or embark on a diving expedition; there are some stunning caves and ship wrecks to be discovered in the bay
  
• Drive south of Budva to the famous Sveti Stefan island (1-hour journey time), an ancient fishing village turned 21st-century luxury resort. The island itself is closed to the public, but it’s a stunning site to behold from the surrounding beaches (use of which is expensive) and woodland. Nearby beaches in Budva and Lustica peninsula can be used free of charge
  
• Explore beyond the coast; Lake Skadar, the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans, is an unmissable natural wonder where lily-pad-covered waters carve through the mountains. Visitor can take boat trips, windsurf (in certain areas), or hike the surrounding national park, where there's abundant birdlife (1 hour 30 minutes' drive)
  
• Test your driving skills, and your nerve, on the twisting Kotor-Lovcen mountain road. There are 25 hairpin turns in total, each taking you that bit higher above the Bay of Kotor. At the top, you can explore the Lovcen National Park and Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Wildlife
• Windsurfing

Kids

With one bedroom and no extra beds, this hideaway is best suited to a couple.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Perast Boutique Apartment is in the small coastal village of Perast, in Kotor Bay, Montenegro.

By Air:
Tivat (20km) is the closest airport, but many people fly into Dubrovnik (57km) before self-driving along the coast to Montenegro.

From the Airport
You could take a taxi or but we'd recommend hiring a car (see below). From Dubrovnik airport, it's an easy 75-minute drive. The border crossing is straightforward, but allow extra time in peak season when there can be queues.

By Car:
Perast is a very small village so you're likely to want to explore the wider area. See our car rental recommendations. There is parking near the apartment.

Getting around:
If you choose not to hire a car, or want a break from driving, there are regular daily buses between Perast and Kotor.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.