Holiday guide to Kotor in Montenegro.

Don't panic if you haven't heard of Kotor, Montenegro; you are not alone. It begs the question of how the world can still conceal such treasures from the typical tourist. Kotor is like someone whispered to a painter, "Make something impossibly beautiful but also somewhat medieval", and they really listened, nestled amid steep mountains and the deep blue Adriatic.

The old town is almost a living postcard, with cobblestone streets winding and twisting in a way that makes you wonder if your orientation is faulty. Spending a whole day aimlessly meandering is really rather enjoyable. Narrow lanes packed with stores offering everything from hand-knitted socks to jewels that seem like they came from a museum, and small squares where locals sip espresso as if time itself has politely slowed down, are present here. And yes, the odd cat is stretched out on the sunlit stones, judging your touristy camera snapping with what can only be called feline scorn.

The sheer volume of history is one of the first things you'll see. Kotor's walls date back to the 9th century, which is excellent unless you're uncomfortable with heights. Though it's a little of a workout, the vista from the hillside fortress is worth every sore calf muscle. The bay looks like a perfect mirror of blues and greens from the top, with little villages scattered about by someone who clearly loves symmetry. You might even have a tiny tinge of remorse that you cannot simply teleport to one of the small islands for lunch.

Talking of food, Kotor boasts more than its fair share of excellent, hidden-gem restaurants. Naturally, you'll want to taste the seafood. Fresh fish, prawns, and calamari all tasted like they had been living their finest lives just yesterday. Although you might wonder why one glass was enough after a long day of responsible tourist walking uphill, the local wine is not terrible either.

If you're the kind who likes being somewhat lost, Kotor is ideal. You might find a little church hidden behind a wall or a peaceful courtyard where a musician is performing something that could be hundreds of years old. And although there are clearly people in the summer, they never feel suffocated because the town is so pretty and everyone seems too nice.

What, then, is the main point? Kotor is the sort of site that causes you to stop, meander, and maybe even wonder why you have been hurrying through life so much rather than only a point on a map. It's tiny, it's lovely, and it's pretty quick to fall in love with. If not, at least the sights are incredible for selfies.