'Under the radar' spot in Europe that made Shelly question her life decisions

I'm a sucker for a unique bar and I think I've just found one of the world's best.

The Kraken Underwater Cellar is floating bar only accessible by boat in Europe's Montenegro.  

You know how sometimes you visit a place, and it's so ridiculously beautiful you start questioning all your life decisions? Well, that happened to me at this bar. 

But let me rewind a bit, because I hadn't heard much about Montenegro in general and really only chose to go there as an add on to a trip to Croatia. My husband and I love exploring new countries and trust me, Montenegro is a rare gem.

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Nestled on the Adriatic coast, Montenegro has some of the most breathtaking landscapes I've ever seen.  

As someone who loves a good Insta moment, I was in heaven. The Bay of Kotor is so picturesque it feels like someone Photoshopped it in real life. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the mountains that surround it. Honestly, I kept pinching myself.  Whether you're walking through the historic towns or admiring the boats bobbing along the coastline, every view is a postcard waiting to happen.

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The thing about Montenegro is that it's still somewhat under the radar. But that's actually part of the charm. You're not jostling with thousands of tourists just to get a glimpse of the sights.

When we visited, we felt like we had a lot of these places to ourselves. It was quiet, peaceful, and we could just soak it all in without the stress of fighting crowds. You can take your time and really enjoy the beauty without feeling rushed – and believe me, there's so much beauty to take in.

We rented an Airbnb in Tivat which made us instantly feel like we were one of the locals rather than a hotel tourist.

The historic towns are like stepping back in time. Kotor, for example, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it's packed with history and charm. Think cobblestone streets, medieval architecture so you'll do lots of walking. Yes, I got a bit sweaty (okay, a lot sweaty), but the scenery was 100 per cent worth it. I mean, what's a little perspiration in the name of an epic Instagram shot, right?

And it was thanks to Instagram that I heard about Kraken Underwater Cellar. Sometimes the algorithm brings you gold.

A quick warning you need to book a spot as the floating bar quite small and probably only takes about 20 people at a time.  You can reserve a spot through their Instagram.  So, Darren and I booked spot and a boat transfer.

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You are welcomed onboard and told all about the process of ageing wines 25 meters below the surface, surrounded by the cool darkness of the Adriatic. Here, constant pressure, gentle sea currents, and the absence of light work together to accelerate the aging process, creating wines with exceptional depth and character.

It all began in 2017, inspired by ancient shipwrecks that had preserved wines in surprisingly good condition for centuries. The minds behind Kraken Cellar decided to harness the sea's natural elements for wine maturation. 

Using specially sealed bottles, they developed a process where wines are submerged for up to a year, allowing them to mature at a faster pace than on land. And let me tell you, the results are delicious.

You order your bottle of wine, and they drag up crate from deep in the water. The bottles are covered in barnacles. We ordered the Zilavka white wine which was 50 Euros. They decant it in front of you. We also ordered fresh mussels (also kept alive under water and cooked to order) and giant octopus bruschetta.

They have handy cut outs in the wooden table to hold your wine glass and they encourage you to throw your mussel shells overboard to feed the fish.

Sitting back enjoying the wine and food was a true pinch-me moment. We then dove off bar into the clear water.    

Visiting Kraken Underwater Cellar is more than just a wine-tasting experience. It's an opportunity to explore a piece of Montenegrin history, enjoy the stunning coastline, and be part of a wine revolution.