My Friends’ Wedding Led Me to One of Europe’s Most Underrated Destinations

I may be in the minority here, but I love an invite to a destination wedding. A chance to celebrate people I love and take an extended trip? Take my money. This is cool. If I’m going to attend 38 weddings (that’s…a real tally), please, please spice things up a little. I’m craving travel all the time. A flight to San Francisco, a trip to Virginia (I do hear it’s for lovers), a getaway to Punta Cana? I’m there. If I had never gotten the wedding invitation, I’m almost certain I would never have thought twice about visiting Montenegro.

And not because I thought it wouldn’t be beautiful. Not because I didn’t think there was much to do or see. Not because I thought I wouldn’t like the food (if you know me, you know this is a rare occurrence). I wouldn’t have thought twice simply because I probably wouldn’t have thought about it at all—not with all the over-saturated content of Greece, Italy, and Portugal filling my feeds.

I don’t even really have a place to talk, because I’ve been to two of those places so far. But the more I see Instagram posts of a spritz on the Amalfi Coast and TikToks raving about mediocre tourist traps in Mykonos, the more I want to go anywhere else. Take me somewhere that’s only being whispered about.

A view from my room in Ulcinj.

The color of this water was mesmerizing.

the trip

I went on this trip in July. It’s now October 15th—exactly six months since the last time I wrote a blog post. I’m kicking myself for not writing this when the trip was fresh on my mind. I’ve realized that getting back into blogging will be more of a challenge than I thought. But I owe it to myself, to Montenegro, and to anyone interested in this country to share a little bit. So here’s my 11 p.m. stream of consciousness.

Samir and Kelly, hi. Thank you for inviting me to this beautiful place to celebrate you. To everyone else reading, Kelly and Samir are the beautiful bride and groom. They honored their Albanian and Irish cultures so beautifully—with a traditional Albanian celebration and a contemporary villa wedding. The Albanian celebration took place in Samir’s family village, and I’ve never experienced anything like it. The music, the dancing, the food, the clothing—a mix of glam, simplicity, and so, so much love.

Start of the village wedding celebration.

Some of the spread.

Bride & groom.

the food

The people I encountered throughout my trip were incredibly hospitable. They want you to eat, drink, and truly enjoy their country. That unhurried European energy is the best. Whenever I’m in Europe, I do my best to slow my brain down and match that pace.

The food is simple, fresh, and so flavorful. The seafood is exceptional, and there’s tons of meat—beef, salted meats, cured sausages. The feta is so much creamier than in the States, and although the greens are more limited, I loved the Mediterranean-style staples like tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Olive oil is everywhere, crisp wine is always on the table, and something I truly wasn’t expecting was pizza. Nearly every restaurant is also a pizzeria—and it’s good. But probably the most common food you’ll find is byrek—a baked, flaky pastry that’s somehow light and rich at the same time, filled with either cheese or meat. No matter what I was eating, I never felt overly full or sick.

Homemade spread in Samir’s family’s home.

My first byrek — filled with meat.

Seafood salad (actual salad underneath).

the coast

Every mountain view felt like “the best one,” and then another would somehow top it. It didn’t matter if I was in Ulcinj, Bar, Sutomore, or the Bay of Kotor—the views were incredible. I think my favorite day was when a group of us spent the day out on a boat along the Adriatic coast. The water was so blue, so smooth, and so salty that I barely had to move to stay afloat. I love being on the water, but it’s even better when you’re exploring somewhere new. I have 360° camera footage from that day that I still haven’t gone through, and I can’t wait to revisit it all and share.

The beaches are stunning. Although mostly rocky, the water is glassy and calm, and we caught some truly beautiful sunsets. In Ulcinj, I visited Ladies Beach—a quiet cove reserved for women during the swimming months to create a peaceful, sacred space. The sea water mixes with a sulfur spring, and locals believe bathing in it (with or without clothing) can help with fertility issues and skin conditions. It felt like visiting a one-of-a-kind sanctuary.

Boat day views.

Sunset on Long Beach.

Looking out from Ladies Beach on an overcast day.

the venues

I have to touch on the welcome party space and the wedding venue. Carolea Villas sits within an olive grove, and you really can’t ask for a more peaceful setting. And Talići Hill? Breathtaking. I think this was the most beautiful place I’ve ever watched a wedding ceremony. The sunlight was perfect, and the backdrop was both water and mountains. Partying all night next to a 17th-century villa wasn’t bad either.

Welcome party.

Looking out from the villa.

A slice of the villa.

the ruins

One place in Montenegro I wish I could have explored more is Bar—specifically Stari Bar, or “Old Bar.” This place does not seem real. I genuinely felt like I was living in a storybook. And I know people throw that phrase around when they want to describe somewhere magical, but this really felt like someone had built it to look like something out of Beauty and the Beast. I wouldn’t have batted an eye if someone popped their head out of a tiny blue-shuttered window singing.

I was so happy to stay here for two nights over the wedding events, but the exploring time was minimal. The pace is slow, the shops are small, the steps are all cobblestone. I wanted to stop in every shop, eat at every restaurant, and just people—and mountain—watch.

Too adorable for me to handle.

Pizza with a view.

Teeny shops everywhere.

How do I wrap this up? Honestly, this feels like a tease of all I could share. Each day could have had a dedicated blog post. How do people do that? I’d rather spend my time actually living it.

It’s now 1 a.m. I sat down around 10:30 p.m. I know this writing is all over the place—it’s messy AF. But six months ago I promised myself I’d start writing again, so I’m writing—even if it’s a little crappy. We’ll get back there eventually. I couldn’t go another day without putting words down. It’s been on my to-do list for months, and I finally got through enough of my work that actually pays the bills to feel okay writing for fun.

Montenegro, you are beautiful. I hope to see you again one day.

Say yes to the destination wedding. And remember that beautiful places aren’t always the loudest.