Right then, let’s dive straight in-i’ll spare you the packing saga (spoiler: we forgot socks, remembered snacks, and almost left a child behind) and fast-forward to the good stuff.

Gatwick Glory and Pre-Dawn Coffee.

We kicked things off at Gatwick Airport, which in my humble (and overtired) opinion, is the gold standard-especially when you’re travelling with small humans who can go from “angelic cherub” to “feral goblin” in three seconds flat.

We’re big fans of the horribly early flight.

Yes, it’s brutal setting an alarm for 1.00am, but there’s something smugly satisfying about sipping coffee at 5am while the rest of the world’s still snoring.

Plus, airport staff seem weirdly cheerful at that hour-possibly because they know the chaos hasn’t fully woken up yet.

Landing in Montenegro: Living the Dream (Kind Of)

Touchdown! Montenegro welcomed us with sunshine, blue skies, and… no car.

We’d pre-booked a hire car because we’re grown-ups who plan ahead.

Or so we thought. 

The lady at the desk smiled sweetly and told us our car was “on a little adventure of its own.”

That’s right. The car went on holiday before we did.

Eventually, after a suspiciously long wait (and some brief Googling of “Montenegro donkey rental”), something vaguely vehicle-shaped arrived. Four wheels, a steering wheel, and the lingering scent of “new car” or the faint scent of collective parental stress. 

Either way: we were off!

Driving on the Wild Side.

Driving in Montenegro? A spiritual experience. By which I mean, I prayed a lot.

Within minutes, I was confidently driving on the wrong side of the road while locals honked enthusiastically and probably invented new swear words just for me.

I smiled and I waved like the Queen on tour.

Honestly, if you can’t dazzle them with your driving, confuse them with confidence.

The scenery though? Absolutely worth every wrong turn.

Coastal roads hugging turquoise water, dramatic mountains looming like they’re posing for postcards, and an occasional rogue cat darting across the road like they’ve got somewhere very important to be.

All whilst your pulse does a little tap dance every time the road narrowed to single-lane drama.

Every drive felt like I was in a low-budget remake of The Italian Job – minus the heist, plus three kids fighting over who’s got the bigger belly in the back. (Yes, in their eyes having the biggest belly is top tier).

Supermarket Sweep: Montenegrin Edition

Right, let me tell you about the real test of parenting abroad-not the flights, not the hire car drama. No. It was the local supermarket.

Imagine Supermarket Sweep, but everyone’s jet-lagged and someone’s crying (usually me).

I spent most of the time Googling mystery dairy products while the kids played “how many things can we throw in the trolley before Mum notices.”

The staff were lovely-either genuinely helpful or quietly horrified. €36.21 later, we escaped with snacks, pride slightly dented, and a family bond forged in fluorescent lighting and mild panic.

Moral of the story: shopping abroad with kids is less “domestic chore” more “team-building exercise with mild emotional damage.” 

Would 100% do it again (but maybe after a coffee).

Home Cooking & Holiday Chaos

Despite the temptation of Montenegro’s many restaurants, we went full “cook at home and collapse” mode most evenings.

Nothing says “family holiday” like channelling my inner Nigella Lawson if she was sunburnt and slightly defeated but still trying her best and whipping up meals while the kids reenacted “Paw Patrol vs. Minecraft” using coat hangers, towels and socks.

There’s something wholesome about cooking with a view of the sea while the chaos continues in the background.

Our Stay: Stoliv Residence

We stayed at Stoliv Residence, tucked away from the bustle but close enough to all the good stuff.

Spacious, peaceful, and with views that made me consider starting a poetry blog.

It’s ideal for families or groups-plenty of space to spread out giving enough peace to almost forget how loud your kids are. (Full review of this beauty here!)

Don’t Miss: The Blue Cave Tour

Highlight of the trip? The Blue Cave tour.

Crystal clear water, stunning coastal views, and a speedboat moment where my hair actually looked good for five seconds.

If the weather’s on your side, it’s an absolute must-equal parts relaxing and thrilling, with a bit of “are we going too fast?” adrenaline mixed in for flavour.

(Full review of that here).

Cable cars & The Serpentine Road

We took not one, but two trips up the mountain to ride the legendary Alpine Coaster—because the first time, we were greeted with a full tour of… clouds.

On day one, we took the scenic cable cars up the mountain. There was a short wait due to a “technical delay,” but it gave us just enough time to enjoy an unexpected coffee and ice cream break (absolute win).

Once we reached the top, we strapped in for the coaster—only to ride straight into a fluffy white abyss like a confused weather reporter. Insta360 captured every second of foggy nothingness while my son stared at me intently and I pretended it was all part of the plan. 

Day two was redemption. This time, we drove up the winding Serpentine Road—like a champion rally driver on vacation (okay, like a nervous mum who white – knuckled the steering wheel). 

The skies were crystal clear, the mountain views were next-level, and yes, we paid for the coaster again. Totally worth it.

10/10 would cloud-surf and scream “WE RIDE AT DAWN!” through the house again.

(Full review of this alpine adventure here!)

Final Thoughts: Montenegro, You Chaotic Beauty

By the end of the trip, I was unofficially crowned Queen of the Road – though that might be because I invented three new ways to miss a turn and once reversed into a car with confidence.

If you’re thinking of visiting:

• Hire a car (and maybe a backup one, just in case).
• Bring cash-many places are adorably anti-card.
• Prepare for chaos-the good kind, the kind that turns into stories you’ll retell for years.

Montenegro, you were equal parts postcard-perfect and mildly panic- inducing. 

You tested my patience, my driving, and possibly the structural integrity of our rental car-but honestly?

I’d do it all again tomorrow. 

• Rome With Kids: Our First Family Trip, Honest Lessons & What I’d Do Differently (AKA the One That Tested Us)
• Bluebell Dairy Farm: A Spellbinding Family Day Out at the School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
• Isle of Man Family Getaway – Work, Birthday & a Bit of Witchcraft 
• That time we slept in a Mill – The Witches Mill, Castletown, Isle of Man
• Orlando Travel Diary: First Class Flights, Villa Goals & Stormy Skies.