Montenegro's cultural experiences are concentrated and intense for a country of its size. Guided tours of Kotor's UNESCO-listed Venetian walled city, with its Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and medieval walls climbing the mountain above, are best done with a local guide who can explain the Maritime Museum collections and the Byzantine history beneath the Venetian surface. Visits to the Ostrog Monastery — carved into a sheer cliff face and one of the most extraordinary pilgrimage sites in the Orthodox world — are a cultural experience of genuine power. Traditional embroidery workshops, guided tours of the old royal capital of Cetinje, and boat tours to the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks in the Bay of Kotor extend the programme. Tours by local guides often make that difference. Take your time.