Luštica Bay LIFE - Winter 2023

A P L A C E TO B E LO N G

WINTER 2023

18 10

THE ALCHEMY OF OLIVES

SAMIH SAWIRIS INTERVIEW:

THE MAN WHO SAW MAGIC IN THE MIST

30

GREENING A S E NS E O F P L AC E

M O N T E N E G R O G U I D E | O U R C O M M U N I T Y | B O L D F L AVO U R S | W I N T E R E S S E N T I A L S

A PL TO BE

AC E LONG

InISSUE This MONTENEGRO GUIDE

04 The Enchanted Lake 10 The Alchemy of Olives 14

Written in the Stones

OUR COMMUNITY

18

Samih Sawiris Interview: The Man Who Saw Magic in the Mist

26 Living the Best Life 30 Greening a Sense of Place 36 Time for Tee

B O L D F L AVO U R S

WINTER ESSENTIALS

44 Capturing the Magical Spirit of Winter

48 A Winter of Style

46 A Sweet Seafarers’ Secret

52 Beauty Essentials 54 Pause, Rebalance, Revive 56 Magical Moments

DEAR LUŠTICA BAY COMMUNITY, Welcome to the Winter edition of Luštica Bay Life. In this update, we're delighted to share the latest happenings in our Adriatic haven and delve into the treasures of Montenegro.

We're overjoyed by the international acclaim The Peaks has received, firmly establishing Luštica Bay in the global luxury real estate arena.

Since laying the foundation stone in July, The Peaks has captured exceptional attention, achieving a high rate of sales and marking a defining moment for our town.

The opening of the Driving Range in mid-August introduced golf as Montenegro's most exciting new sporting opportunity, drawing residents and holidaymakers from diverse backgrounds. Piazza Centrale, which we completed during the busy summer season, has become our vibrant social hub, maintaining its allure into the winter months – along with the nearby sporting facilities, which we also expanded. New restaurants, bars and cafes have opened in both Centrale and Marina Village – ranging from Montenegrin, Italian and Spanish cuisines as well as a lively Urban Pub. During the summer, we also enhanced our Sea Lounge concept to create an exceptional beach experience for residents and guests. Finally, we are delighted to open a new Kids’ Club in Centrale this winter – a great benefit for families in the neighbourhood.

With three distinctive neighbourhoods now established, Luštica Bay has achieved 10 percent of the master plan—an incredible milestone that offers just a glimpse of the exciting future ahead.

Our vision is crystal clear: Luštica Bay is more than a real estate development; it's an aspirational leisure destination as well as a model Montenegrin Town and always “A Place to Belong." As we shape this community, I want to extend my warmest gratitude to our residents, visitors, and our dedicated team for their passion and commitment and to wish everyone a wonderful festive season and a very happy, prosperous and fulfilling New Year 2024.

Best personal regards, Maher Maksoud Regional CEO

CREDITS EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS:

IMAGE CONTRIBUTORS:

PRINTING:

Sandra Lane

Đorđe Živaljević

Brain Media

Ken Baron

Zoran Radonjić

COLUMNISTS: Biserka Milić

Mihael Đuričić

ISSUE:

Nebojša Nišić

Winter 2023

Rea Vasić Ranko Maraš Adnan Doa Alomerović

COVER PHOTO: Marina Samardžić

Mark Anthony Fox Rebecca Hope Mario Depicolzuane TO Tivat TO Bar

Contact US

General Enquiries

Client Relations

E: info@lusticabay.com T: +382 77 200 100

E: clientrelations@lusticadevelopment.com T: +382 67 070 101

Sales

Rentals

E: sales@lusticabay.com T: +382 67 050 550

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04 | MONTENEGRO GUIDE

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 05

The

Enchanted Lake Hemmed in by rugged mountains on one side and fringed with vast wetlands on the other, Lake Skadar is a treat for all senses – all year round.

The small boat glides slowly along the narrow channel; the bright sun plays on the surface of the dark green water, which barely ripples in the light breeze; on both sides, waterlilies spread as far as the eye can see – an unbroken carpet of glossy green leaves punctuated by waxy white blossoms; here and there cormorants and herons perch, scanning the surface of the channel for any sign of fish that they might catch for lunch. While it seems hard to believe that we are in Europe – if it weren’t for the surrounding mountains, it could be Botswana, perhaps, or Brazil – this magical spot is Lake Skadar, a few kilometres inland from the Montenegrin coast.

A summer boat cruise or kayak paddle through the waterlily fields is most visitors’ first – and often only – encounter with the lake. And yet, while that is a spellbinding and never-to-be-forgotten experience, there is so much more to Lake Skadar, all year round.

In Montenegro, the light has a unique quality that lends a special beauty to the country’s remarkable landscape. This is especially true of Lake Skadar – and during the winter in particular. When the sun is lower in the sky, the water of the lake takes on an ethereal, silvery quality; the distinctive cone-

shaped islands at its northern end appear to float on the surface, supported by light; the surrounding mountains take on an almost two-dimensional quality, as if painted in layers against the backdrop of the sky, like a theatre set.

A National Park since 1983, Lake Skadar is a place of contrasts: vast wetlands on the north-eastern shore are home to 280 species of birds – millions of which over-winter on the lake, which straddles the Adriatic migratory corridor. On the western shore, stretching south to Albania, rugged karst mountains rise hundreds of metres from the water, separating the lake from the Adriatic Sea. To the north, coneshaped islands are set against a backdrop of rocky hills deeply carved by twisting river valleys. And between them, like the crook of an elbow, sits Crmnica polje – a flat valley of fertile fields, orchards and vineyards. This land of singular natural beauty is also a land marked by complex human history – a land of monasteries and forts that bear testament to centuries of vicissitudes, of conquest and re-conquest, not only by outside powers but also by factions within what would eventually become Montenegro.

06 | MONTENEGRO GUIDE

THE PLEASURE OF THE SLOW SEASON I

n winter, there are no crowds – indeed, very few people at all – and with the pace of life around the lake having slowed down to its ancient rhythms, there is time to pause, notice the details and breathe in its true beauty. There is also time to meet locals and sit with them over coffee as they share their passion for this place that they call home. There could be few more passionate than Sara Jovićević. Based in the tourist office in the tiny town of Virpazar, the ‘hub’ of the lake, her job title – Manager for International Projects – gives little hint that she sees her work as even more than a vocation.

It’s her way of continuing the legacy of her late father, a medical doctor and passionate ecologist, who moved to the area 50 years ago precisely because of the surrounding environment.

Sara warns that the beauty of the area is as fragile as it is majestic, and campaigns to promote the kind of ‘slow’ tourism that will help to defend it against the depredations of mass travel. “It’s a delicate balance,” she acknowledges, “but it’s crucially important to preserve not only wilderness areas like this but also the intangible cultural heritage. Once it is gone, it’s gone.”

Sara shares fascinating anecdotes about local life, snippets of information that will never appear in the tourist brochures, and many secrets – some that may be shared and some closely guarded. For example, she happily recounts the legend about why garnets are the same colour as the local Vranac wine but won’t reveal the location of a large seam of the gemstones nearby. She knows the 120 km of marked hiking trails like the back of her hand and can pinpoint where to forage for mushrooms in the autumn and where to see wild orchids flowering in the spring. (Indeed, Sara worked with botanists to catalogue 35 species of wild orchid found among the forests of Krajina on the western side of the lake.) She can recommend the best of the 30 wineries of Crmnica – all of them simple, small and rustic – where visitors can taste wines and local food specialties. And, for those wanting a deeper experience, can arrange a private invitation to one of the island monasteries, such as Starčeva Gorica, where Father Grigorije lives alone, tending the garden, making jam and liqueurs from the fruit that grows there, sharing his wisdom with visitors and recounting how he singlehandedly restored the little 14th-century church that had been left in ruins by the Ottomans.

A TOWN AT THE CROSSROADS

S

ara also explains the origin of Virpazar’s name, which dates from early Ottoman times – ‘vir’ referring to the whirlpools formed by the currents of several rivers that meet near the town, and ‘pazar’ being a corruption of bazaar. Virpazar has always been a trading hub for the surrounding areas – and even today its plane-treeshaded streets host an open-air market all year round. Given its strategic position, it’s no surprise to learn that the Ottomans built the imposing Besac fortress in 1478 on a hill above the town with 360-degree views. (Recently restored, it now houses a very good restaurant and wine cellar as well as a small museum.)

Set alongside the main road from Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, to the coast, Virpazar is literally a crossroads. To the south, a panoramic road leads almost to the Albanian border (two-thirds of the lake’s surface is in Montenegro; the remaining third in Albania) and to the north, another panoramic road leads into the interior, towards Montenegro’s former royal capital, Cetinje.

Virpazar has always been a trading hub for the surrounding areas – and even today its plane-tree-shaded streets host an open-air market all year round.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 07

THE SPECTACULAR

SOUTH

H

eading south on the western side of the lake beyond Besac fortress, the road begins to climb into the hills. Soon, it passes through the village of Godinje – a tightly packed cluster of stone houses tucked against the slopes, and home to several wineries that welcome visitors for tastings. From here, the 15th-century island fort of Grmožur is in full view. Now in ruins, it was used during the reign of King Nikola in the early 20th century as a jail for political prisoners – non-swimmers only, so the story goes.

The drive becomes more spectacular with every passing kilometre – but the narrow road is not for the faint-hearted; sharp bends and sheer drop-offs demand a slow pace and a high state of alert.

The blessing of this challenging road is that it discourages a lot of drivers, preserving the peace of the hills and offering a sense of real privilege to be able to experience its beauty. Gradually, the forests of oak, ash and pomegranate give way to dry and rocky terrain where only medicinal herbs will grow in the sparse soil – especially wild sage, which smothers the slopes in purple flowers in late spring. As the vegetation becomes less dense, the view opens up: far below, a scattering of islands – many topped by ancient monasteries and churches – hug close to the shore, and in the distance across the lake, the jagged snowy peaks of the Prokletije mountains gleam white in the winter sun.

Eventually, the terrain levels slightly, creating space for a scattering of tiny farms; a flock of sheep trots down the road, guided by a farmer and his son. There is a sudden sense of being in a different world: people’s faces have a more Albanian character, and each village has a little mosque. At Livari the road enters a chestnut forest, threading its way through the huge trees. In summer the dense canopy of leaves creates cool shade even on the hottest days; in autumn, the ground is a thick carpet of fallen chestnuts (in November, the village of Ostros celebrates this bounty with the weekend-long Koštanijada – chestnut festival); in winter, the skeleton of bare branches creates a beautiful silhouette against the sky. Beyond Ostros, the road makes a hairpin bend just short of the border and the reward is a breath-taking view of both ‘seas’ – the lake on the left and the Adriatic on the right.

THE ENCHANTING

NORTH

H

eading north from Virpazar, another narrow road twists its way up through forested hills, offering glimpses of the lake and the wetlands of the Morača River delta, which gleam straw-gold in the winter sun. There’s a delightful sense of being in the middle of nowhere, with nowhere particular to go – an invitation to surrender to the beauty of untrammelled nature, to stop the car from time to time and simply breathe; it’s a perfect antidote to the hectic pace of modern life.

Suddenly, in the middle of this magical ‘nowhere’ you come upon a tiny café perched on the edge of a heart-stopping view across the lake and all the way to Albania. It’s a compulsory stop – a moment to pause and absorb the sense of wonder. The road continues.

There’s a belvedere that offers a grandstand view of the oxbow bends of the river below. But the best view of this spectacular feature is unknown to most: continue for a few kilometres and a narrow lane leads from the road, through a small vineyard, ending at a house where you ask permission of the owners to visit their viewpoint. The price of admission: buying a bottle of their homemade Vranac wine or rakija. And to do that, you must first accept their offer of a tasting – accompanied by storytelling and laughter.

This is the Montenegrin way – naturally hospitable, proud to share the wonders of their country with any stranger who will take the time to discover it.

The road continues, down into the valley where it crosses the river at Rijeka Crnojevica (the village and river share the same name). A modest little village nowadays, in the 19th century it was a winter retreat for the royal family, away from the freezing weather of their capital, Cetinje. From here, the road winds back up into the hills, away from the enchanted world of Lake Skadar, towards other magical landscapes and other stories.

08 | MONTENEGRO GUIDE

KINGDOM OF THE

Birds

Spanning 40,000 hectares, Lake Skadar National Park embraces one of the richest and most important wetlands in Europe. It is a seasonal or year-round home to 280 species – with a population that swells to millions during the autumn and winter. Lake Skadar has been on the world list of wetlands of international importance – Ramsar – since 1995 and is classified as an IBA – an area of international importance for the residence of birds. Darko Saveljić, a leading Montenegrin ornithologist, shares some insights into this remarkable site.

Q. CAN YOU PLEASE NAME A FEW OF THE INTERESTING BIRD SPECIES TO BE FOUND ON LAKE SKADAR. A. To me, all species are fascinating! But of course, the endemic ‘Curly’ Dalmatian Pelican, must be included on everyone’s list. Other interesting species on the lake include pygmy cormorant, ibis, squacco heron, purple heron, whiskered tern, ferruginous duck, and black-crowned night heron – but the list is much longer than this! In the skies above the lake, you will see many different birds of prey, including gyps, vultures, bustards and several species of eagle.

Q. FOR AN ORNITHOLOGIST, ASIDE FROM THE GREAT NUMBER OF BIRDS AND HUGE VARIETY OF SPECIES, WHAT MAKES LAKE SKADAR SO SPECIAL? A. The lake is on the Adriatic migratory corridor so, for a birdwatcher, part of the fascination lies in how different it is in every season. Some species just make temporary stops on their way from Europe to Africa in autumn-winter and vice versa in spring. Other species stay for longer. We have the breeding season in March and from May to July.

From November to February, we see a huge population of birds escaping from the cold of North, Central and Eastern Europe.

The diverse biotypes and terrain provide ideal habitats for a huge range of species. Lake Skadar is a bioreactor – it’s full of food and, with a subtropical climate, the temperatures never fall below 11 degrees Centigrade.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 09

The lake is on the Adriatic migratory corridor so, for a birdwatcher, part of the fascination lies in how different it is in every season.

Q. WHICH AREAS OF THE LAKE ARE BEST FOR BIRDWATCHING? A. The best-known areas are the wetlands around the north-eastern side of the lake. Unfortunately, these popular areas are suffering from a lot of disturbance as Skadar Lake becomes more widely known. There are tourism boat operators who don’t respect the laws and even take their boats into protected reserve areas, and we are constantly fighting to gain proper protection for key locations.

The best places are really the secret ones, far from human settlements and well away from areas with a lot of tourist boat activities or fishing. Serious birdwatchers can gain access to these areas with the guidance of a qualified local ornithologist and will understand the importance of keeping them secret.

Q. THINKING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLER – A KEEN AMATEUR ORNITHOLOGIST WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN ON BIRDWATCHING TRIPS TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT COUNTRIES – WHAT WOULD HE OR SHE BE MOST EXCITED TO SEE AT LAKE SKADAR? A. That’s very difficult to answer because it depends entirely on where that person is from and what they already know.

For example, someone from Northern Europe who has been birdwatching in Asia would have different interests from an American. The best answer I can give is that there are so many bird species and so much of interest at different times of year, that for such people, a guided visit, tailored according to their previous experiences and particular interests, will certainly reveal new and exciting things.

Q. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO OBSERVE THE BIRDS ON AND AROUND THE LAKE? A. For the more casual visitor, or for someone who is new to birdwatching, the viewing platforms at Stanaj, Žabljačke Livade, Plavnica, and Raduš will provide a fascinating experience. For more experienced and serious birdwatchers, I recommend hiring a boat privately, with a local ornithologist, who will know the most special places and be sure to respect the wellbeing of the birds above all else.

Q. FOR DECADES, YOU HAVE BEEN DEEPLY INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT BIRDS IN MONTENEGRO. IS THERE A SUCCESS STORY RELATED TO LAKE SKADAR THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? A. The Dalmatian Pelican is one of Montenegro’s most recognisable bird species and is a trademark of Skadar Lake National Park.

Pelicans start nesting in December among reeds or on floating islands of peat. As the water level of the lake rises after heavy rains, the eggs or young hatchlings are submerged, so the success of nesting of the pelicans on the lake was often zero.

The setting up of the first artificial islands for nesting began in 2003 to help solve this problem. It was so successful that in 2021, this species had a record-breaking 150 birds and the pelican was saved from likely extinction.

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MONTENEGRO GUIDE

Moric Farm

THE ALCHEMY OF OLIVES

For the Moric family, producing organic olive oil from their ancestral lands is a vital way to celebrate their heritage and preserve it for the future

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 11

The hills lie silent in the afternoon sun; in the distance below, the Adriatic Sea stretches to the horizon, glittering silver in the reflected sunlight; the iron-rich red earth contrasts with the weathered grey of the ancient stone walls that mark boundaries between fields; a faint breeze ruffles the silvery-green leaves of the olive trees and carries the scent of the lavender and rosemary where bees feast on the pollen; sheep graze in the dappled shade of the trees, watched by a pair of donkeys. This is the idyllic end-of-summer scene at the Moric family’s farm in Tići, a tiny hamlet in the far reaches of Luštica Peninsula.

The scion of the family, Ilija Moric, has transformed this land – farmed by his ancestors for at least three centuries – to become Montenegro’s first organic olive oil producer, complemented by a thriving seasonal agritourism enterprise.

More than a thousand olive trees – many of them already more than 100 years old – are spread across a total of six hectares of land in several pockets around the village. The rocky terrain of these west-facing hills – baked by the summer sun, generously irrigated by winter rains – is ideally suited to olive growing (indeed, a wild species of olive grows in the native shrubland that still covers the peninsula). With such deep roots in this land, it was natural for Moric to choose an artisanal, organic approach to growing olives and producing oil.

“Organic production is the core element of our farm life and production, even though it’s a very demanding approach that requires constant adaptation,” says Moric. “The major issue is pest and disease control but 15 years of experience with different natural methods has taught us what works most successfully. Attracting beneficial insects to our olive groves is an extremely important element of this and we have planted hundreds of bushes, including lavender, rosemary, myrtle, euphorbia, wild roses and Tanacetum [feverfew] – almost all native to this region. As well as attracting the desirable insects, this creates the most beautiful ‘office’ that you can imagine.”

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MONTENEGRO GUIDE

SAFEGUARDING THE

HERITAGE

M

oric, whose deep knowledge of organic farming practices is complemented by his doctorate in tourism studies (he has also written a book: Rural Tourism in Montenegro: Marketing Aspects of Development) is a firm believer in the benefits of agritourism: “It is a great opportunity for the Luštica countryside and, through the activities we offer, our farm aims to light up some other, more hidden sides of this area, adding value to our rich and diverse cultural heritage, while preserving it for future generations,” he explains. “The development of Luštica Bay has really made our peninsula visible to the world and that has been a great benefit to our rural community and especially our heritage, which has waited too long to be noticed and celebrated.”

Looking to the future, he adds, “Sustainability is the most important scenario. We believe that Luštica Bay is aligned with this, and its continuing growth will provide many new opportunities for farmers on the peninsula. In line with that, our future cooperation should be focused on organic and sustainable farming, as well as environmental protection, to preserve a green Luštica.”

In the centre of Tići village, the family’s 300-year-old house is set in a garden filled with fig, almond and pomegranate trees. Adjacent to it is an old konoba (a small, rustic inn) and traditional stone mill; nearby is the modern olive press with up-to-the-minute facilities for both production and storage. Here, from spring until the beginning of the harvest in autumn, visitors are invited to enjoy tutored olive oil tastings and light refreshments, either before or after strolling through the olive groves and learning about the principles of organic production.

F

or those who want to deepen their experience of traditional ways, the Moric family also offers several hands-on workshops – among them, the making of olive oil soap infused with essences distilled from the lavender and rosemary bushes – a delightful take-home souvenir. No less intriguing, although more physically demanding, is the ancient craft of building dry-stone walls – walls built to stand for centuries without the need for any ‘fixing’ or binding material. “As well as utilitarian forms, such as retaining walls, dry stone walling is an interesting land art technique, offering the pleasure of trying to express your artistic ideas through ‘adjustments’ to the terrain,” says Moric.

During winter, the pace of life on the farm slows right down, enabling the family to prepare for the new growing season as well as the next tourism season. During these months, they accept visits by small groups during weekends, by appointment only (which Luštica Bay’s concierges will gladly arrange). “With fewer visitors, winter offers ‘slower’ experiences and a real feeling of the place,” says Moric.

With fewer visitors, winter offers ‘slower’ experiences and a real feeling of the place

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 13

THE JOY OF THE HARVEST

A

s the afternoon sun sinks lower over the Adriatic, Moric is looking ahead to the harvest, which begins every year in midOctober and lasts for six weeks, yielding about 20 tons of olives. “This is the most critical point in the entire production process and has the greatest effect on the quality of the oil,” he says. “Everything is picked by hand; it has to be well organised and done quickly by experienced pickers – we have a dozen people working on the harvest. After picking, the olives must be pressed within 24 hours.”

It's hard and painstaking work; the hours are long and some autumn days can be rainy and cold. However, says Moric, the rewards far outweigh any negatives. “For us, just knowing that another harvest is being done creates a lot of joy. It’s tiring and unglamorous work, but all of that is forgotten when our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is born and ready for our customers.”

On Luštica Peninsula there’s an old saying that olives are as valuable as gold. With a smile, Moric says: “Yes, they are as valuable as gold! It’s not just the financial value; even more important benefits include the sense of family, health and connection with nature that they bring. Olive growing is an ‘alchemy’ that creates many treasures.”

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MONTENEGRO GUIDE

Written In

The Stones

A SPECTACULAR NEW WINERY BUILT ON THE ROCKY SLOPES OF MOUNT LOVĆEN IS THE REALISATION OF A LONG-HELD DREAM. Viewed from afar, Mount Lovćen, rises like a great wall above the narrow coastal strip of Boka Bay and it’s hard to imagine that there could be vineyards growing high on its steep, rocky slopes – let alone that it could be the site of a state-of-the-art winery. Yet, since he was a schoolboy in Kotor, helping his family to make wine and grappa at home, in the traditionally Montenegrin way, Stefan Kašćelan dreamed of creating exactly that on his ancestral lands. Five years ago, undeterred by the enormity of the task, he began to plan in earnest with the support of his family.

Today, in testament to a vision that many would dismiss as crazy or unrealistic, his winery – Storia di Pietra (‘a history of stone’) – is an inspiring place to visit. Stefan readily admits that the vision did seem rather crazy: “Constructing the winery was extremely challenging and several times we almost gave up. But we couldn’t let the dream go and, now that it’s a reality, we know it was worth all of the struggle.”

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 15

16 |

MONTENEGRO GUIDE

We often say that when you think you’re lost, it means that you’re on the right road and will soon be here

D

riving to the winery, one of the challenges is immediately obvious: it’s hard to imagine heavy construction traffic navigating the route to this isolated and spectacularly beautiful spot. From sea level, the road twists up the mountainside, a series of hairpin bends passing through forests of pine and deciduous trees, past the ruins of the Austro-Hungarian Fort Goražde and eventually narrowing to a single lane beyond the tiny village of Mirac. “We often say that when you think you’re lost, it means that you’re on the right road and will soon be here,” jokes Stefan.

Suddenly, above you, the winery building comes into view. Standing dramatically against the mountain backdrop, a huge glass-andsteel box is cantilevered diagonally over a base of rough-cast concrete and flanked by broad terraces. From every level of the property, the view is breath-taking, stretching to the distant horizon of the Adriatic. Eagles circle in the sky above while, hundreds of metres below, a jet makes its final descent towards Tivat airport. The days end with sunsets of otherworldly beauty.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 17

T

he ‘glass box’ structure is a vast open-plan space designed for celebrations and special events. Since opening in July 2023, it has so far has hosted weddings, birthday parties, a rooftop concert and the unveiling of a new racing car. The winery welcomes regular visitors as well, whether simply to sample the wines or to enjoy menus that feature fresh and contemporary interpretations of local cuisine – each dish paired with a carefully selected wine. On sunny days, restaurant tables are set outdoors on the terraces – one of which is designed for families, with a play area attached, and one for adults only. Storia di Pietra is emphatically a family business and, most days, Stefan’s wife Jelena, his parents and sisters are there providing hands-on assistance in the restaurant or winery.

To reduce the building’s footprint on this ancient landscape, the wine production area is carved into the hillside beneath it. Set on the ground floor of the building, a glass-walled private dining and tasting room overlooks the entrance to the cellars. The scale of the production area is impressive. “Our focus will always be on quality rather than quantity, and our eventual goal is between 40,000 and 50,000 litres per year – although we do have the capacity to produce up to 80,000 litres,” says Stefan.

“We just see that extra capacity as a kind of futureproofing for the business.”

Immediately below the building, young grape vines grow on a terraced field.

“That’s Malvasia, which we planted at the beginning of this year,” says Stefan. “We think it should do well in these conditions – but time will tell. Growing grapes and producing wine is a long-term game and we learn every day from our experiences.”

Conditions should, indeed, be ideal. The slopes face south and catch the sun all day yet, at 670 metres above sea level, the temperature is lower than on the coast and the nights are cool even at the height of summer.

The first grapes to be planted, Montenegro’s signature Vranac variety, are now five years old and, Stefan says, producing good harvests. There is a great deal more land available and many other varieties that the family plans to plant. Meanwhile, until Storia di Pietra’s vineyards are fully mature, their own grapes are supplemented by those carefully selected from other areas of Montenegro.

Another great benefit of the hillside location is that it lies in the path of two winds – one from the sea and one from the mountain. “With the air continually moving, it is exceptionally clean, so we are almost entirely free of pests and diseases. The value of this is priceless because we have set our hearts on fully organic production. It means that we have to take a lot of extra care of the vines but it’s well worth the effort if we can achieve that goal.”

Hearing Stefan talk with such passion and seeing the scale of what has already been achieved at this very early stage of the ‘storia’, no goal seems too ambitious for this inspiring family business.

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OUR COMMUNITY

Samih Sawiris THE MAN WHO SAW MAGIC IN THE MIST

Samih Sawiris is not afraid to be misunderstood. The son of Egyptian construction magnate Onsi Sawiris made his name and expanded his fortune by seeing things that, well, aren’t there. No, not ghosts, but entire towns.

Where other developers perceive only rocky wastelands, empty deserts, or barren coastlines, the founder of Orascom Development sees unlimited potential. He sees hotels, schools, hospitals, restaurants, marinas, and more. In short, he imagines finished towns sprouting out of empty, undesired landscapes. And sprout they do—in Egypt, Montenegro, and Switzerland—proving that with a lot of vision and even more patience, the impossible can become the incredible.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 19

This interview was first published by Design Hotels on designhotels.com, with words by Ken Baron & images by Mario Depicolzuane.

MONTENEGRO 20 | OUR COMMUNITY GUIDE | 04

Q.2 PEOPLE DESCRIBE YOU AS A BUSINESSMAN OR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, BUT GIVEN THAT YOU ALMOST ALWAYS START WITH EMPTY LAND—A COMPLETELY BLANK CANVAS—ONE MIGHT SAY THAT YOU ARE AN ARTIST. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A CREATIVE PERSON? A.2 I really don’t like this description “businessman” because a businessperson is all about making money, and I am not as interested in making money as I am in creating successful venues. I’m willing to give up profit if I’ve created a sustainable, well-developed project. But artist? Well, I will accept the compliment and say, “Thank you!”

Q.2 YOU STUDIED IN BERLIN BEFORE THE WALL CAME DOWN. THAT MUST HAVE BEEN AN INTERESTING AND EXCITING PLACE TO BE AS A YOUNG MAN. A.2 Oh yes! At that time, Berlin was a really wild town. The students were constantly striking. There were all these leftist movements.

And you could open a bar in the basement of your house without a licence, so every building had its own bar! It was a chaotic but very exciting time. One memory that I will never forget: witnessing a traffic jam at 2:30am. There wasn’t even an accident; it was summer, so everybody was out in the street partying. And also at this time in history, music, art, and culture were subsidised tremendously by the German government, which did whatever it took to show that West Berlin was great and East Berlin was shit! So, yes, the result was I had a very rich life those five years. I mean, I don’t think anybody saw Herbert von Karajan more than I did, practically every second night. He was the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and turned that orchestra into the greatest on the planet. I lived next to the Philharmonie. His concerts were sold out years ahead, but I would go at ten-minutes-to-eight every night and find someone with an extra ticket to sell.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 21

Q.2 YOU HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BEING AN AMAZING HOST. WHAT MAKES A GREAT DINNER PARTY OR GATHERING? A.2 Vary the age, vary the nationality, and make sure that the guests don’t know each other—then you have the best dinner ever. It’s true! That’s how I do my dinners. I’ll cook for eight or ten people, and I’ll make sure to invite the husband one time and then the wife to a different dinner, but not both together; otherwise, it ends up being four couples sitting around basically just repeating things they already know about each other.

Q.2 ANY ESPECIALLY MEMORABLE EVENTS OR GATHERINGS WITH FRIENDS? A.2 They are all memorable! But listen, people become much freer when they are among strangers. So for me when I host, by design I make sure to have different ages, sexes, and professions. You’ll have a young physician, an old painter, a banker, a writer. And they love it because it is very rare for them to be in a social setting with such people.

Normally, doctors hang out with doctors, artists with artists, etc. But when you do this tutti-frutti mix, it becomes a very interesting evening; the conversation jumps all over the place. This is my formula for success. And it has never failed me!

Q.2 OK, MOVING BACK TO YOUR NINE-TO-FIVE LIFE, HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOUR FATHER RELINQUISHED HIS BUSINESS TO YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS? A.2 He didn’t give us his business. But he did give us something that was worth millions—the right to name our companies after his company: Orascom. My brothers and I each started a business in a field that most interested us. I started a company called Orascom Touristic. One of my brothers started a company called Orascom Telecom. Another started a company called Orascom Construction. Having my father’s company name gave us immediate credibility and access to opportunities. It was like getting brand equity worth millions. But moneywise, he was quite strict, and he said, “You have to do it yourself.” I got $60,000 from him to start my company. This was his way of helping without spoiling us.

Q.2 YOUR PROJECTS SEEM TO BE ABOUT LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS. LUŠTICA BAY, FOR EXAMPLE, IS AN ENTIRE TOWN THAT YOU ARE BUILDING ON THE MONTENEGRO COAST. NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE PATIENCE FOR THAT KIND OF UNDERTAKING. A.2 I have a lot of patience and the persistence to take as much time as is needed to turn a project into what I have envisioned in my dreams. But I am better at envisioning than at convincing. I fail miserably at getting others to imagine what I imagine. Before my projects are done, I’m just happy if people don’t make fun of me. For example, who can imagine a town growing up from nothing in the middle of the desert? But then, when my projects are finished, they get it.

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Q.2 SO, FOR YOU, DEVELOPMENT IS ALL ABOUT TRUSTING YOUR GUT AND INTUITION. DO YOU HAVE A PHILOSOPHY FOR HOSPITALITY? A.2 I need people to be happy because they are the ones, not me, who are ultimately creating that allimportant sense of community.

Q.2 BUT IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BUILD A COMMUNITY. YOU CAN’T EASILY FACTOR COMMUNITY INTO BOTTOM-LINE BUILDING COSTS, CAN YOU? A.2 Everything I do takes 15 to 20 years before it starts making money. But if I build a town correctly, with a long-term vision and not a make-money attitude, it will live forever; it will continue to grow and, yes, ultimately make money because all the commercial real estate, the hospitals, the schools, the entire town is something we own. Listen, I don’t like competition, so I’ve never done business in competitive environments. I learned early on that 99 percent of businesspeople do not have the patience to wait 10 or 15 years for a return on their investment. They are not satisfied with value creation because for them cash is more important. That’s why I got into a niche where I have no competition—I mean how many people will tell you, “My job is to build towns!?”

Q.2 WHEN DID YOU FIRST VISIT MONTENEGRO? WHAT ARE YOUR TIES TO THE COUNTRY? A. About 15 years ago the government of Montenegro was made up of very young people. The Minister of Tourism was 26.

The Minister of Economy was 32. The Prime Minister was 37. And they all went to kitesurf at El Gouna, the town in Egypt that I built on the Red Sea [once barren desert land, El Gouna is now home to hotels, restaurants, marinas, golf courses, health and wellness facilities, education institutions, co-working spaces, private residences, and more]. These government officials were super impressed that an entire town was built from nothing, and they asked me to replicate that model in Montenegro. That’s how my relationship with the country started, with Luštica Bay.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 23

Q.2 IF YOU LOOK AT LUŠTICA BAY NOW, YOU SEE AN ENTIRE TOWN. WAS THERE ONCE REALLY NOTHING THERE? A.2 Nothing! But if you want to get a lot of land and not pay much, then you have to go to spots that nobody wants. You cannot go to London and try to find 2 million square metres. That’s why all our projects are on green fields, on huge land banks, because that was the gameplan: You take a lot of land that is basically worthless, and then slowly start to make it interesting—and therefore more valuable. That’s how you make money.

Q.2 YOUR FATHER MADE HIS NAME AND GREAT WEALTH IN THE TRADING BUSINESS. AS A YOUNG MAN, DID YOU FEEL PRESSURE OR COMPETITION TO SUCCEED, TO DO BETTER THAN YOUR BROTHERS? A. No, there was no competition between my brothers and me because we have always been friends. Also, we didn’t work together; we each were in a different sector. So, depending on the world economy, each of us had our boom time.

Once, I was the biggest. Then it was telecom. Then it was construction. The beauty of our setup, and this was thanks to my father, was that though my brothers and I were in different business sectors, he ordered us to be partners. So it didn’t really matter who was making what—at the end of the day, we were all shareholders in all of the companies.

Q.2 BUT NOW YOU ARE GIVING UP A LARGE PART OF YOUR ROLE IN YOUR BUSINESS TO YOUR SON. IS THAT HARD FOR YOU TO DO? A.2 I own 51 percent of the company in Switzerland. My son owns 49 percent. So I’m still the boss there! [laughs]. But everywhere else, he has 100 percent; he’s the boss. I think it’s good to bring in new blood and energy. When a company gets very big, with thousands of employees in many countries, it needs a fresh style of management. Plus, now I can focus on smaller projects that are special to me. Like Mamula.

24 | OUR COMMUNITY

Q.2 HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THE MAMULA ISLAND PROJECT? MAYBE IT’S NOT THE SAME AS BUILDING AN ENTIRE TOWN, BUT IT’S STILL QUITE AN UNDERTAKING TO REVITALISE AN OLD ISLAND FORT. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS? A.2 The first time I went to Montenegro, the government officials showed me around in a helicopter. I saw an island below and I said, “What is that?! It looks so cool.” And they said, “It’s an Austro-Hungarian fortress, but you can’t have it. We are going to make it into a museum.” A dozen years passed, and they couldn’t get any money to do what they wanted. It was falling apart, being vandalised, and so on. Finally, they said to me that if I respect the site and the building codes for an antique, I could have a 49-year lease on the island. I brought in archeological experts, antiquity experts, heritage experts, a team of people to make sure that any changes we made did not alter the character of the island. It has become one of my favorite places.

Q.2 SPEAKING OF FAVORITE PLACES, YOU LIVE ON A YACHT THAT MOVES AROUND THE RED SEA. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE AQUATIC LIFE THAT APPEALS TO YOU? A.2 I have always loved the sea and I’ve always been passionate about boats. I remember, as a young boy, my first boat was the tube of a truck tyre. I asked my nanny to sew a bedsheet to the bottom of the tire so that I could sit inside it. And I’ve never stopped having boats. In fact, the first money I made was from a boat factory.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 25

How many people will tell you, “My job is to build towns!?"

Q.2 IS THAT WHY ONE OF YOUR HOBBIES IS CONVERTING OLD SHIPS INTO YACHTS? A.2 Absolutely. I started refurbishing old boats with a de-mining vessel that I bought from the German navy. I transformed it into a six-room yacht. My second conversion was a Japanese government tuna fishing boat—after 20 years of use, they have to sell them and they are not suitable for anything else, which means that automatically nobody wants them. I found this old tuna boat and bought it for peanuts. Then I transformed into a yacht. And now I live on it for three months a year in the winter.

MIRAŠ ŠĆEPANOVIĆ, SOMMELIER & WINE CONSULTANT

Q.2 I HEAR YOU CAN PILOT IT YOURSELF, THAT YOU DON’T NEED A STAFF.

THE VERY BEST OF THE

A.2 No, no, no. Not big ships. My licence stops at a boat 20 to 30 metres long. But yes, those I can run myself. I’ve been doing that for ages.

Q.2 I GUESS IT’S A LOT OF WATER AND NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

Q.2 DOES THE ROCKING MOTION OF THE OCEAN MAKE YOU FEEL CALM? A.2 I think the closeness of water is what I mentally need to feel free.

A. Yes, I think the water around a boat protects one from feeling overly involved in things; you are on your own. If you want people, you go to shore. If you want friends, you have them join you on the boat. So there’s a sense of privacy and control.

Q.2 WHEN PREPARING FOR OUR MEETING, I WATCHED A FEW YOUTUBE INTERVIEWS WITH YOU. IN THEM, YOU SPOKE GERMAN, ENGLISH, ARABIC...I LOST TRACK! HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK? A.2 Six. Arabic, German, English, French, Spanish, and Italian—in that order of proficiency.

Q.2 SO DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS MORE EGYPTIAN OR MORE A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD? A.2 I don’t think I’m your typical Egyptian anymore. I was that up until the age of 15 or 16, but going to a German school opened my eyes, my mind, and my soul to other cultures. And then later, when I started living abroad, traveling between different countries, I became, yes, a citizen of the world. So, when I am in Switzerland, I am not really Swiss, but I can adjust. When I am in Egypt, I am not really Egyptian anymore, but I can adjust.

The fact is when you have been exposed to several cultures throughout your life, it changes who you are.

Q.2 AND THAT LIFE HAS BEEN SUCH A RICH ONE, WITH SO MANY EXPERIENCES. LOOKING BACK, IS THERE ONE EXPERIENCE THAT MEANS THE MOST TO YOU? A. Six years ago, when I started to give away the company and slow down my business life. I decided to learn how to play the piano.

I worked very hard at it. And just recently I performed with an orchestra in a public hall. It was amazing!

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Living the best life CELEBRATING A DECADE IN

LUŠTICA BAY

Ivana Todorović, a Senior Property Advisor at Luštica Bay, joined the project in its earliest days, 10 years ago. Having lived in a rented apartment in Marina Village since it was no more than a building site with a beautiful view of the sea, she and her partner bought their own home in Centrale three years ago. As Luštica Bay grew, her career developed in parallel and she also became the mother of Luštica Bay’s very first baby, who is now a thriving seven-year-old. Here, she shares her perspective on that decade-long journey.

Q.2 YOU HAVE BEEN AT LUŠTICA BAY SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING, 10 YEARS AGO. HOW WAS THE TEAM DYNAMIC DURING THOSE EARLY STAGES, WHEN JUST A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE BEGAN CONSTRUCTING A COMPLETELY NEW TOWN? AND HOW HAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RUN IN PARALLEL WITH THE EVOLUTION OF THE DESTINATION? A.2 Walking through the entrance to Luštica Bay 10 years ago, it was very different from the way it is today. Then, it was literally just a rock face and a beautiful view! Although I had already been in real estate in Montenegro for nearly 10 years before that, I hadn’t expected to see such dramatic growth – not only in the project but also in my own career. From a handful of optimistic employees selling the dream, we have all come on a remarkable journey.

It’s funny to look back and realise how little confidence in the European market our skeleton team had – but we relied on the word of Orascom that they were going to deliver this amazing project. Although things moved slowly in the first few

years and there were many disparaging things said about the development, nobody is being dismissive now because we have delivered a first-class destination that continues to grow and evolve.

Q. DURING THE PROJECT'S EARLY STAGES, PRESENTING THE VISION AND GAINING THE CONFIDENCE OF PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WAS QUITE A FORMIDABLE TASK, GIVEN THAT THE TOWN WAS JUST A BUILDING SITE IN MARINA VILLAGE. HOW HAS THE PROFILE OF HOMEBUYERS CHANGED AS THE PROJECT HAS DEVELOPED? A. In the early days we relied on Serbian, Swiss and Egyptian clients, who knew Orascom very well and were comfortable to buy into our dreams but now, having consistently delivered on our promises, we attract a much wider range of clients from all over Europe as well as globally. I love working with the Russian and Serbian markets but without the mix of other nationalities it would not be the destination it is today. I also believe this to be true for the way our entire country is developing.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 27

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FROM MOTHERHOOD TO HOME OWNERSHIP

Q. OVER THE PAST DECADE, YOU HAVE ALSO BECOME A MOTHER AND A HOMEOWNER, ESTABLISHING A LIFE FOR YOUR FAMILY IN THIS UNIQUE LOCALE. YOUR SON, MAKI, HOLDS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE FIRST CHILD BORN TO A LUŠTICA BAY RESIDENT. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A CHILD TO GROW UP IN LUŠTICA BAY, AND WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT OFFER TO PARENTS WHO MAKE IT THEIR YEAR-ROUND HOME? A. My son Maki was born in the clinic nearby and came home to the apartment we were then renting in Marina Village.

The early days were quite challenging because much of the village was an active building site, with no shops or cafes and constant noise and disruption – sometimes until late at night!

But that was then and this is now. At seven years old, Maki can go anywhere he wants in the development; he's comfortable interacting with people at the restaurants and shops, and the Luštica Bay staff, who have known him since he was a baby. For us, as parents, it really means a lot that he can move around the village so freely, feeling extremely welcome everywhere, without

our having to worry about his safety. That’s increasingly rare in today’s world. Another benefit – for Maki and for us as a family – is the pleasure of making new friends from so many different backgrounds, who are choosing Luštica Bay as a year-round home.

Q. HAVING BOUGHT YOUR OWN HOME IN CENTRALE THREE YEARS AGO, YOUR EXPERIENCE IS VALUABLE WHEN TALKING TO OTHER POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS. WHAT ASPECTS OF LIVING HERE DO YOU HIGHLIGHT TO THEM? A. In an increasingly unstable world Montenegro has stayed remarkably calm in the last 16 years or so. Our country moves forward every year in most aspects of life – and this is also true of Luštica Bay; we are now at a stage where we enjoy living at a high standard all year round.

My partner is from the UK and his belief in the safety of Luštica Bay, and Montenegro as a whole, is tremendously important. He is confident that our son can grow and develop in a progressive international and local environment while maintaining good traditional values.

Q. LEANING ON YOUR EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE SALES AT LUŠTICA BAY, COUPLED WITH BEING A PROPERTY OWNER YOURSELF, WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE HERE? A. Real estate is probably the safest form of long-term investment that one can make – unlike the many get-quick-rich schemes out there that can make you very poor just as quickly! From the initial boom of 15-16 years ago, Montenegro and Luštica Bay have developed the real estate offer steadily and profitability, providing great returns for clients. This gives them confidence to invest further and to recommend us to their friends and families.

Q. MARINA VILLAGE, CENTRALE AND THE PEAKS HAVE DISTINCT CHARACTERS BUT STRONG SYNERGY. HOW DO YOU PRESENT THIS TO POTENTIAL BUYERS? A. Although there are now three active areas in Luštica Bay, I see it as one development with a menu to suit many tastes – whether the Adriatic Sea is your main desire or you are drawn to the strong sense of community in Centrale, which blends into the local environment and has great bars and restaurants. The Peaks is the icing on the cake; it has the makings of one of the world’s top residential golf communities – it really is that good!

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 29

MILESTONES AND VISIONS FOR THE

FUTURE

Q. WHAT MILESTONES STAND OUT TO YOU IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LUŠTICA BAY SO FAR? A. There have been so many milestones in the past 10 years! But among those that stand out for me are the completion of the Marina and the opening of the fantastic The Chedi Hotel. Now that we are adding smaller details to the development, the completion of the sports facilities in Centrale has been a real game changer for so many people.

Q. WHAT ROLE DOES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAY AT LUŠTICA BAY, AND HOW DO YOU SEE THIS REFLECTED IN THE COMMUNITY? A. As I've mentioned before we have a wide range of like-minded people here at Luštica Bay and we share a collective desire to preserve and enhance our environment. I’m pleased to see this desire spreading to the wider population of Montenegro now, with more awareness of the environment and its needs.

Q. HOW DO YOU ENVISION LUŠTICA BAY CONTINUING TO DEVELOP IN THE COMING YEARS, AND WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY'S FUTURE? A. Luštica Bay now has momentum and naturally moves forward and, although it certainly still requires vision and drive, its evolution happens much more organically than it used to. Trust and confidence have grown for everyone on this journey and I feel we are entering a period of strong growth, thanks to our stability and the range of lifestyles we are offering.

Q. TODAY’S COMMUNITY – EPITOMISED BY THE MOTTO ‘A PLACE TO BELONG’ – EMBRACES MORE THAN 45 NATIONALITIES. WHAT DOES THIS DIVERSITY SIGNIFY FOR YOU? A. As I alluded to earlier, the rich tapestry of international homeowners and visitors to Luštica Bay has created a unique and very positive environment. One homeowner and restaurateur summed it up perfectly: "For me it’s all about the sense of togetherness and happiness". Our community really is a group of like-minded people looking to live their best lives.

A Lifestyle LIKE NO OTHER

Q. AS A HOMEOWNER, CAN YOU SHARE SOME EXPERIENCES THAT HIGHLIGHT THE UNIQUE LIFESTYLE AND ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN LUŠTICA BAY? A. So many people aspire to living by the sea with direct access to it and being a homeowner at Luštica Bay has made a tremendous difference to me and my family. Like all homeowners, we have full and free access to the beaches at Luštica Bay with their great bars, restaurants, sunbeds and other facilities. This enables us to enjoy the true experience of living on the Adriatic Sea. Q. CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOUR FAMILY IN LUŠTICA? IN PARTICULAR, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE FAMILY RITUALS IN WINTER? A. Being here all year round, we are finding more and more to do as a family. Our weekend routine is very similar in winter and summer. Walking from Centrale to Marina Village is always a joy and we go down in the morning for coffee and breakfast. In summer we go early, before the sun gets too hot, then head to one of the beaches around 10 am to swim and soak up some rays. In winter we take advantage of the gorgeous, sunny days to soak up the warmth – although we skip the swimming! In the early afternoon, there’s a great choice of places to have lunch and then it’s a leisurely ride home in one of the free courtesy buses. We regularly use the Kids’ Club facilities for our son while we take a few hours to indulge ourselves as a couple.

Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SETS LUŠTICA BAY APART FROM OTHER REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION? A. Luštica Bay is the most complete destination in the region for both homeowners and holidaymakers. Aside from the great range of beaches, bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment, everyone gets a view and everyone has easy access.

If I had to say just one thing that makes us stand out, it is that you can be on your own beach, step into the beautiful sea, float there looking in any direction and you truly feel that it’s a place to belong.

30 | OUR COMMUNITY

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 31

The Peaks – Green GREENING A SENSE OF PLACE

As Botanika, the first phase of The Peaks, begins to take shape on the hillside overlooking the Adriatic, we discover how the landscape design goes far beyond defining the look of the neighbourhood and creates its very soul.

“One of the most urgent needs of human beings is their sense of identity, of belonging to a place – their 'roots' – and the landscape is a key element of this,” says Božena Graić, the Landscape Design Manager at Luštica Bay. “Landscaping may be the only form of artistic expression that engages all five senses – vision, scent, hearing, taste and touch – and with this in mind, for the design scheme for The Peaks we are embracing the full potential of the native Luštica landscapes.”

Applying these principles in practice, the design team has harnessed several key elements of the location,

skilfully weaving them into the overall scheme of homes, streets and golf course that make up The Peaks. The design mimics the natural shapes and patterns of the surrounding hillside; the characteristic scents of the native flora are invited into the garden of each building; and micro-climates are being created in each space by carefully positioning trees and evergreen hedges and installing green roofs. Between the buildings, areas of natural macchia trees and shrubs have been preserved to create privacy barrier zones and, as a result, the courtyard of each residence feels like a nest, serene and private, sheltered from the wind while making the most of the remarkable views.

32 | OUR COMMUNITY

Embracing THE ORIGINAL FLORA

N

ative macchia woodland (also known as maquis) has grown naturally on Luštica Peninsula for millennia. Its densely growing, tall evergreen shrubs – holly oak, myrtle, sweet bay, carob, wild olive, and arbutus (strawberry tree) – give way in the more arid areas to low-growing garrigue scrubland – also emblematic of the Mediterranean's temperate regions. Common garrigue plants include sage, helichrysum (curry plant) and wild thyme – most of which are familiar to us as culinary herbs.

Being native to the area and therefore tolerant of local climate and soil conditions, these shrubs and plants are a natural choice for use as ornamental plants. They feature strongly in the garden designs, supplemented by other plants, such as lavender and rosemary, that thrive in the same conditions, and are planted so that the breezes carry their scent across the garden and into the rooms of the homes. Also guided by the macchia and garrigue, the colour scheme of the planting is a tapestry of countless green shades, with occasional accents of white, purple, and sometimes pink and yellow.

In places, natural rocks have been preserved in situ, contrasting with areas of grass – soft and welcoming spaces for children and pets to play that also create a visual link with the golf course. Cypress and umbrella pines frame the views and act as natural pillars connecting the earth with the sky.

“Plant species are carefully selected so that the appearance of the designed landscape blends as seamlessly as possible with the existing landscape expression” says Graić, adding that the essential

foundation of the project was a detailed survey. “It's a meticulous process of assessing the land's topography, soil quality, climate conditions and existing features. From this, we gained valuable insights that informed our design decisions. It's not just about measurements; it's about understanding the unique character of the land and how it can be transformed into a beautiful, functional, and sustainable space that also respects the environment.”

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 33

A HOLISTIC

O

f course, the landscape design doesn’t exist in isolation; it is part of a holistic project in which landscape and buildings must be not only complementary in style but also perfectly integrated to create a harmonious whole. Consequently, the architects and landscape designers began a very close collaboration even before the initial concepts for The Peaks were drawn up. “Thanks to The Peaks' architecture, which follows the Mediterranean vernacular and is enveloped in Luštica stone, indoor and outdoor spaces coexist beautifully, with every element matching its purpose,” says Graić.

“The more senses a garden can appeal to, the better it fulfils its role,” she adds. “So, as well as appealing to the more obvious senses of sight, touch and smell, we thought about taste and sound.” The gardens of the residences feature edible herbs and fruit, and the zones of macchia preserve natural sounds. The song of birds in the morning and crickets in the middle of warm summer days combine with the sound of the breeze ruffling the leaves, to create a unique Mediterranean soundscape. These are the elements that, often unconsciously, tap into our most deeply rooted emotions, creating memories that anchor us to special times and places forever.

FROM THE WILD TO THE WORLD’S GARDENS Our native shrubs and plants are naturally adapted to local soil and climate conditions – which generally means rocky terrain with thin topsoil, and hot, dry summers alternating with mild, rainy winters. That makes them an obvious choice for use as ornamental plants at The Peaks.

Interestingly, many of these plant species are treasured by gardeners in cooler, moister conditions. Hybridised cultivars of plants that grow wild on Luštica Peninsula – such as euphorbia, cyclamen, clematis, verbascum, cistus (rockrose), bearded iris and hollyhocks – have also become mainstays of the famous English garden ‘mixed border’; many cultures have adopted our native herbs, notably sage, thyme and fennel, for use in cooking; and native trees such as bay, olive, holly oak and carob are used in landscape design around the world.

34 | OUR COMMUNITY

TRANSLATING CULTURAL

HERITAGE

M

emories of the past also live through cultural landscapes, which reflect specific techniques of sustainable land-use and, often, a spiritual relationship with nature. Preserving these timeless values, Graić, with the design team and specialist collaborators have incorporated elements of Luštica's deep cultural heritage into the design. Olive-growing is celebrated in homage to the memory and identity of those who have farmed olives on the peninsula for more than a thousand years. Using rocks cleared from their land, these farmers constructed dry stone walls (suvozid) to create level terraces and mark boundaries. The skill was passed down through countless generations through word of mouth and practice. In the absence of physical records, the skill became almost extinct with the end of generational farming continuity in the late 20th century.

Throughout The Peaks, retaining walls built of Luštica stone and inspired by the ancient dry-wall technique recall the look and feel of this intangible cultural heritage. In what is today’s Montenegro, every small village had a circular, stone-built gumno at its heart; this was the site of community gatherings and was where the grain harvest was threshed. This symbol of a strong and healthy community has been translated into firepits that homeowners may choose to have as a focal point of the garden that can be enjoyed all year round in the mild climate of Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.

ADAPTING TO THRIVE Species native to Luštica Peninsula, called sclerophyllous plants, are endowed with biological mechanisms to cope with the heat, aridity, and intense solar radiation typical of the Adriatic coast. To reduce transpiration, their leaves are hardened and leathery, with a glossy upper surface to reflect light and a hairy lower surface to keep the moisture in; some have even turned their leaves into thorns. To save energy they have synchronised their growth cycle with the seasons, so that their quiescence coincides with the summer, while blooming and fruit-bearing take place in the cooler and rainier seasons. To counter the aridity of the soil they have strengthened and deepened their roots, which also helps to control erosion. To propagate despite the adverse environment, they sprout new stems from the trunk as well as dispersing countless seeds.

The best-known examples on the peninsula include bay (laurel), myrtle and arbutus (strawberry tree).

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 35

A sustainable, FOREVER VISION

A CONSTANTLY CHANGING CLIMATE "Our part of Luštica Peninsula is blessed with more than 240 sunny days a year – and myriad microclimates. Working on this project for more than five years I have witnessed many forecast rains that fell nearby but missed us completely, especially in the spring and summer when the plants really need it. Despite this, Luštica 's landscapes are deep evergreen, which is particularly noticeable during winter, when they make a spectacular contrast with the snowy peaks in the distance.

For several years I have been collecting data for a ‘blooming calendar’ for all Luštica Bay plant species, noting all annual microclimatic oscillations and comparing blooming start and duration with the existing literature. It has become clear that, compared to non-native species, the natives are always more successful at overcoming annual variations and challenges, such as a very early spring start that is suddenly stopped by later, unexpectedly low temperatures. All of this is a great reminder to follow sustainable principles when creating our landscapes and to be ready to adapt to the constantly changing climate."

– Božena Graić

G

iven Luštica Bay’s over-arching vision of creating a sustainable future, ecofriendly principles are intrinsically woven into every aspect of The Peaks’ landscape design, aimed at reduced consumption of both water and materials, and natural regulation of temperatures. Native plants are naturally adapted to the conditions, requiring less maintenance, conserving water, and reducing the need for pesticides and fertilisers, with consequent water pollution from run-off – with the bonus of attracting wildlife.

Simple ways to reduce the consumption of materials include using stone already present on site (for both buildings and landscaping) and choosing solutions that are long-lasting and need little maintenance – such as natural hedges instead of built fences.

In the Botanika section of The Peaks, a building footprint of only 0.15 percent leaves the designers a lot of green space to work with. “The amount of green space is key, and the design for The Peaks incorporates a multitude of horizontal and vertical spaces as well as the preserved areas of macchia,” says Graić.

“Green roofs provide natural insulation all year round and, on hot, sunny days the moisture present in the vegetation evaporates, which provides additional

cooling. Green façades are planted with deciduous climbers, so the leaf canopy blocks solar radiation in the summer, then in autumn, when the leaves are shed, solar radiation can be absorbed by the building façade or pass through the windows to the interior. Green roofs and green façades also serve to replace greenery displaced during development.”

On patios and terraces, greened pergolas and tree canopies provide shade, dense evergreen hedges act as wind breaks, and pools and water-mirrors cool the air through evaporation.

All these principles – careful planning and composing of the green outdoor spaces, their integration with the indoor spaces and the embracing of heritage and ecological principles – are being skilfully combined to create an exceptional environment and quality of life for those who make their home at The Peaks. It is a remarkable vision, and its true value will become fully apparent as the development matures with the passing of time.

36 | OUR COMMUNITY

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 37

Time for Tee A GREAT START FOR GOLF IN LUŠTICA BAY

This summer, with the Luštica Bay golf course beginning to take shape, the Driving Range offered visitors an opportunity to receive instruction and practice their skills. Dany Samir, Luštica Bay’s first Golf Pro, shares the highlights.

38 | OUR COMMUNITY

Q.2 FOR MOST PEOPLE IN MONTENEGRO GOLF IS A NEW SPORT. WERE YOUR GUESTS MOSTLY BEGINNERS OR EXPERIENCED GOLFERS? A.2 We want to make golf accessible and bring new people to the sport, so the Driving Range was open to everyone and we kept the green fees low so that wouldn’t be a barrier. We had lots of absolute beginners and some very experienced players – and many levels in between. There was a huge mix of nationalities – they came from all over Montenegro, both residents and holidaymakers – and lots of family groups. One of our beginners got so hooked that he took five or six hours of lessons – by which point he had reached the level where he could go out and play a full round on any golf course.

Q.2 CAN YOU SUM UP THE OVERALL RESPONSE TO THIS SEASON’S OPENING? A.2 Whether they were experienced golfers or beginners, everybody who came had a fantastic time. It was such a happy atmosphere. For my part, I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable months of my entire golf career so far. The demand was amazing – we were fully booked from 8.00 every morning until 8.00 in the evening. Some non-players also came and spent time with us, just to have a coffee or a light snack and enjoy the view. Because the facility is new and the grass needs a couple of years for its roots to get strong and become fully established, we were able to open for just six weeks this year. But judging by the fantastic response we had, I’m sure that we have the potential to open for a lot longer next year. The demand is certainly there!

Q.2 THE DRIVING RANGE IS SET ON THE HILL OVERLOOKING LUŠTICA BAY ON A SITE THAT WILL BE NEAR THE CENTRE OF THE NEW COURSE. ASIDE FROM THE AMAZING VIEWS IT OFFERS, WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? A.2 The first thing to explain is that, although we call it the Driving Range, it is much more than that. As well as the hitting area that you find at all driving ranges, I created four holes that offer guests a ‘sample’ of a real golf course. That meant they could truly experience the game and practice all aspects – driving, chipping and putting – which was much more interesting than just repeatedly hitting the same shot. One of our guests, a Luštica Bay resident, has been playing golf for about 15 years and she loved it so much that she came every day for several hours.

Q.2 PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE PROGRAMME THAT YOU OFFERED ON THE DRIVING RANGE THIS SUMMER. A.2 We offered one-on-one lessons for individuals and small-group lessons for families – as well as the opportunity for experienced golfers to play freely. Also, to give people a richer experience of the game, we sometimes had them join together in pairs or fours, as you would when playing a real round of golf. This social aspect is an important part of the game.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 39

Q.2 YOU STARTED YOUR GOLF CAREER IN JORDAN, HAVE PLAYED GOLF AROUND THE WORLD AND, FOR MANY YEARS, HAVE BEEN THE RESIDENT GOLF PRO AT THE PRESTIGIOUS EL GOUNA RESORT IN EGYPT. IN LIGHT OF THIS EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE YOUR STRONGEST IMPRESSIONS OF THE GOLF DEVELOPMENT AT LUŠTICA BAY? A.2 The first time I came here, I was stunned by the natural beauty of the location for the course – like everybody who comes!

I believe that when the new golf course is completed it will be one of the best in the world – not just because of the astonishing views but because of the way it has been designed to fit into the natural terrain. It will not be easy to play but trying to master a challenging course is one of the great pleasures of this game. Even if you’re not having your best day of shots, every time you play this course will be wonderful because the location is so special.

TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNING AND MASTERING THE GAME Q.2 WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNING AND MASTERING THE GAME OF GOLF? A.2 Technique is everything! A lot of beginners think they need to hit the ball as hard as they can, but you don’t need power. When you learn the correct stance, the right grip and how to swing your body, the ball will fly naturally. After just three or four days, we see beginners hitting good distances.

There are some other techniques specific to the short game but the same applies: technique first and everything else will follow. This is why lessons are so important. Talent without training will not succeed.

The most important character trait for a good golfer is patience! Give yourself time, practice a lot and it will start to feel quite natural. A sense of humour also helps. If you get frustrated because you think your shot wasn’t good enough, you will become tense and then you definitely won’t hit well. Anyway, the whole point of golf is to have fun!

Another important thing: golf is not just for old people! These days children start to play as young as seven years old. At Luštica Bay we provide clubs specially designed for children of different ages and heights.

40 | OUR COMMUNITY

Winner Takes All TATJANA LUKIĆ Following a tournament organised by Luštica Bay in Belgrade last spring, the winner, Tatijana Lukić, spent three days at our destination, touring the planned golf course and hitting some balls on the Driving Range, as well as enjoying everything else that Luštica Bay has to offer.

“It has been wonderful to have first-hand experience of the new driving range and to discover the course that is just now being built.

The location is fantastic, with views of the sea on both sides and the mountains in front of you. The hospitality everywhere in Luštica Bay has been exceptional. We've had three wonderful days of fun, great food and so many pleasurable moments. The driving range is already amazing and it’s so exciting to think how it will be when all the holes are built, as well as the homes around the golf course. I can't wait to join the club and start playing here.”

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 41

FROM SCOTLAND TO THE

WORLD

Golf has a rich and intriguing history that spans centuries. There’s no knowing how long humans have been hitting round objects with sticks but whether it was actually golf is another matter. In 1261, a Flemish poet mentions a ball game with a kolf (Dutch for ‘club’) – but it’s generally agreed that golf began in Scotland in the Middle Ages, with bored shepherds passing the time by hitting pebbles over sand dunes with their crooks. In Scotland, the game was first known as kolf (instead of a local word for a shepherd’s crook) which does hint at some Dutch influence. The name morphed into goff in late 14th-century Scottish dialect, and later, golf.

Often referred to as ‘the gentlemen’s game’, golf is a satisfying diversion that can be immensely relaxing – albeit sometimes frustrating. Hence the famous 19th-century aphorism, still repeated by humourists today, that a round of golf is “a good walk, ruined”!

RAPIDLY GROWING POPULARITY As more people became enamoured of the game, the first official golf course was created at St. Andrews on the Scottish coast, in the early 15th century.

The game became ‘too popular’ according to King James II, who banned golf in 1457, worried that it was distracting men from their archery. This ban stayed in place until 1502, when King James IV gave in – and became a golfer himself.

In 1754, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club was founded next to the Old Course in St Andrews. This legendary club is still the mecca of the golf world and governs golf’s rules everywhere except in the USA.

THE SPORT EVOLVES Golf spread rapidly in the 18th and 19th centuries among gentlemen wealthy enough to afford the expensive hand-crafted clubs and balls. The introduction of the durable ‘gutta-percha’ ball in the mid19th century revolutionised the sport. This ball was less expensive and was resistant to water (helpful for those who can’t avoid the water hazards!). Other balls were developed over the years, including the Bramble, which had a dimpled pattern similar to today’s golf balls.

The 20th century brought us golf heroes like Walter Hagen (‘the father of professional golf’) Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus, while televised tournaments expanded the game’s popularity. Today, as advanced technology enhances the game, golf is a global phenomenon with millions of players and fans.

Montenegro's ROYAL GOLF LOVE STORY

Montenegro holds a unique place in golf history, a tale that entwines the region's first golf club and an enchanting royal love story.

Montenegro’s Crown Prince Danilo I Petrović met his future bride in St Petersburg in 1899; she was Duchess Jutta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in northern Germany. She and Danilo began a whirlwind romance, culminating in marriage just two weeks later. She converted to the Orthodox faith, adopted the name Milica, and moved to Montenegro, where she was warmly embraced by her new family and the Montenegrin people.

A ROYAL TEE SHOT In 1906, Montenegro's first golf club was founded in the royal capital of Cetinje. As a supporter of the club, Crown Princess Milica was given the honour of striking the first ball in the club's inaugural tournament. The event, attended by King Nikola Petrović and his wife, welcomed representatives from around the world. People later recalled the vivid spectacle: champagne flowed, military music filled the air, and the day concluded with an elegant quadrille dance.

This golf club set a precedent for the region and in the following decades, golf clubs were established at Zagreb (1927), Belgrade (1936) and Slovenia (1938).

In her memoirs, Princess Milica described her adopted home as “a fairy tale from One Thousand and One Nights”. During her remarkable life, she was active in Cetinje's social scene, as well as a pioneer of golf in Montenegro and played an important role in connecting Montenegro to the wider world, using golf as a valuable conduit.

A NEW CHAPTER Today, this opening chapter of golf in Montenegro is being revisited, with work underway on a new Gary Player-designed golf course at Luštica Bay. A driving range has already opened and completion of a nine-hole course is scheduled for 2026, expanding to 18 holes in 2028. With magnificent views of the mountains, Boka Bay and the Adriatic Sea, the golf course will be complemented by impressive residential neighbourhoods.

And so, the love story that kickstarted golf in Montenegro is set to evolve into a national love affair with the sport, as Luštica Bay becomes a coveted destination for golfers from all corners of the world.

42 |

A PL TO BE

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 43

AC E LONG

44 | BOLD FLAVOURS

WINTER

CAPTURING THE MAGICAL SPIRIT OF For the second year running, the Winter Dome is the most cosy and beautiful destination on the Luštica Bay Promenade.

Inspired by the special charm of northern Europe’s cities during the winter, everything from the decoration to the menu has been carefully chosen to create a magical ambience. Olivia Meli, Executive Chef, Luštica Bay Leisure Management, shares some of its secrets.

Q.2 WHICH EUROPEAN CITY WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE WINTER DOME? A.2 Many northern European cities have beautiful winter traditions but if I had to single out just one, it is Strasbourg in Alsace, France – especially during the Christmas season. Alsace has held Christmas markets for more than 400 years and visiting the city at that time of year is like stepping through a portal into a magical universe where everything smells, tastes and feels like the pure essence of the Festive Season.

The idea behind the Winter Dome was to capture that spirit and translate it into a focal point for Promenade during the mid-winter months.

Q. WHAT ALSACE-INSPIRED TREATS CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO ON THE WINTER DOME'S MENU THIS YEAR? A. Back on the menu this year are French-style gourmet crepes & waffles, traditional bredele (Alsatian cookies), gingerbread cookies and traditional cakes. The goose foie gras terrine is a must, prepared the Alsatian way – and there will be a few extra surprises this year!

Q. SOME OF THE CAKES AND COOKIES ARE MADE ACCORDING TO TRADITIONAL RECIPES PASSED DOWN THROUGH YOUR FAMILY. WHAT ARE THE SECRET INGREDIENTS? A. In fact, the recipes were passed on to me by my partner’s grandmother and aunts in France. I watched them for many years to learn the perfect preparation methods – and to make them proud.

The secret ingredient is to know who you are making them for and why; if it comes purely from a place of giving, it will always be a success. Of course, good quality ingredients are also crucial – you will never regret buying the best butter!

Q. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WINTER DOME MENU? A. Our soul-warming dishes this year include pelmeni (Russian dumplings) in beef broth; roasted pumpkin soup with cashew & coconut cream – and, of course, our mulled wine.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 45

Q. WE LIKE TO THINK THAT THE BEST MULLED WINE IN THE BALKANS IS SERVED ON OUR PROMENADE! CAN YOU TELL US THE RECIPE? A. It’s a bit of a secret! But the Winter Dome does sell Mulled Wine kits so that people can make our recipe at home. Pick one up and maybe – just maybe – we will share a few tips!

Q. FOR COOKS, IS THE REAL SECRET INGREDIENT LOVE FOR THE PERSON OR PEOPLE YOU ARE PREPARING FOR? A. Cooking is emotional and your heart must be in it, otherwise there’s no point! We can cook just to make food for survival or we can cook to give pleasure; the latter is much more enjoyable for everybody and makes the world a happier place. To love what you are doing makes all the difference, but unfortunately, we tend to forget this. The Festive Season is the perfect time to remind ourselves and each other of it.

The secret ingredient is to know who you are making them for and why; if it comes purely from a place of giving, it will always be a success.

Q. YOUR CULINARY PORTFOLIO IS IMPRESSIVE. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL CHEF? A. My father is French and he always ate and talked about food with such passion. My mother is a wonderful cook and when we were growing up in Australia, we knew that something delicious would come out of the oven at any time of the day. All of this amalgamated into my dream of becoming a chef.

A lot of hard work, coupled with some incredible opportunities have made that dream a reality and I am so grateful that my passion has become my career.

46 | BOLD FLAVOURS

Peraška Torta:

A SWEET SEAFARER'S SECRET COLUMNIST: BISERKA MILIĆ, TOURISM SPECIALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

With Boka Kotorska deep waters hemmed in by high mountains, it was entirely natural that its inhabitants should have always turned towards the sea. Their history and culture have been intricately woven with its rhythms and their relative prosperity is owed entirely to their maritime connections.

Historic records attest that as early as the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC, the favourable climate and proximity to the sea enabled highly significant communities to thrive.

A MARITIME LEGACY AND A CULINARY

VOYAGE

Among these communities was Perast, set at a strategic location in the heart of the bay. Imagine, in the 17th and 18thcenturies, a town of 2,500 – among whom at least 400 were active mariners, including illustrious sea captains, renowned merchants and valiant naval warriors. To this day, the people of Perast are known for their sharp wit and wisdom - a testament to the influence of many centuries of international seafaring.

One of Perast’s intangible cultural treasures – the Peraška Torta – was inspired directly by this seafaring legacy. Infused with the flavours of local fruit and nuts, it is an enduring symbol of resilience and love, created by the mothers, wives and daughters of Perast’s seafarers to ease the burden of their long journeys and maintain a connection with home.

Composed with precision and care, its unique blend of ingredients ensured that it remained delicious for many weeks at sea.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 47

PERAŠKA TORTA:

A Labour of Love to Create

A SYMPHONY OF FLAVOUR

F

lour, sugar, almonds, sour cherries, butter and lemon zest—these simple ingredients are transformed into a masterpiece of unmistakable authenticity that is technically neither cake nor tart but a delicious cross between the two. With roots tracing back to the Venetian Republic's reign over Boka Bay, its inclusion on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016 recognises centuries of shared experience.

Encased in a thin pastry shell, the Peraška Torta is a harmonious interplay of the fruit and nuts that thrive in the climate and soil of Boka Bay – sour cherries, almonds and lemons – infused with the essence of hearth and home. This essence is what sets it apart from the saccharine confections of today and ensures its continued veneration. With a long legacy of anticipation, hope, joy and yearning baked into its heart, the real magic of the Peraška Torta lies in the love infused by the hands of the maker.

A beacon of tradition and testament to the indomitable spirit of the women who have been crafting it for centuries, the Peraška Torta is etched not only in the annals of culinary history but also in the hearts of those who savour its sublime taste.

INGRIDIENTS: DOUGH: • 8 egg yolks • 200 grams sugar • 250 grams butter • A small cup of white wine • Grated peel of one lemon • 1 packet of vanilla sugar • About 750 grams of flour FILLING: • 8 egg whites, beaten into stiff peaks • Juice of one lemon • 400 grams sugar • 1 tablespoon crushed biscuits or fine breadcrumbs • 500 grams coarsely ground almonds • 1.5 dcl sour cherry liqueur (Maraschino)

Instructions: 1. Prepare the Dough: Combine the egg yolks, 200 grams of sugar, butter, white wine, grated lemon peel, vanilla sugar, and about 750 grams of flour • Mix until a smooth dough forms and leave to rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes 2. Prepare the Filling: • Beat the egg whites into stiff peaks • In a separate, large bowl, combine the lemon juice, 400 grams of sugar, the crushed biscuits or breadcrumbs, ground almonds and sour cherry liqueur • Fold the beaten egg whites into the mixture • Gently combine the ingredients until well incorporated 3. Assemble the Tart: • Line a 28cm cake mould with baking parchment • Roll out the prepared dough, cut a circle for the base and wide strips for the sides, leaving a little aside to make narrow strips for the topping • Line the cake mould with the pastry • Add the filling then top with a lattice pattern made with the narrow strips of pastry 4. Bake: • Preheat the oven to 180°C (or adjust according to your oven's power) • Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes 5. Final Touches: • While the Peraška Torta is still warm, add pieces of butter on top and sprinkle with sour cherry liqueur

•

• •

Allow it to cool down completely before removing from the mould Dust the finished Peraška Torta with powdered sugar

48 | WINTER ESSENTIALS

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 49

A Winter

of Style

AT ITS BOUTIQUE IN MARINA VILLAGE, MC2 ST BARTH/TENERO FASHION TAPS INTO THE SEASON’S KEY TRENDS FOR MEN AND WOMEN For a few seasons now, fashion has been moving towards ‘quiet luxury’ and in Montenegro, there are few places better to explore this than MC2 Tenero Fashion. With a branch in the heart of Marina Village, the multibrand boutique offers skilfully edited selections from a hand-picked roster of leading European designers. For both men and women, the collections are curated with an eye to quality and enduring style, rather than passing fads, while always picking up on the season’s key stories.

Women can embrace the sharp tailoring trend in deliberately oversized jackets from Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini (in delicious baby-pink) and Rochas (in warm brick red) and a slouchy trouser suit in mustard-yellow corduroy (a fabric that’s enjoying an extended moment in the spotlight) from Ermanno Scervino. For evenings, the little black dress has been reinterpreted in leather (real or faux) by Ermanno Scervino and Philosophy – an unexpected, utterly modern and subtly sexy twist on that eternally chic staple.

50 | WINTER ESSENTIALS

W

MONOCHROME, COLOUR SPLASHES AND FURRY DETAILS

N

othing whispers ‘quiet luxury’ quite like top-to-toe monochrome in a pale neutral shade and for that, you can look to the latest designer to join the roster: Lorena Antonazzi. Think elevated sportswear in soft silvery grey, immaculately tailored from fine wool. Beige and cream are equally quiet and luxurious: snuggle into a super-luxurious

fur-trimmed puffer jacket from Moorer (the epitome of investment dressing!) and check out Fratelli Rosetti’s luxe nubuck sneakers or Santoni’s shearling-lined loafers. And with those shoes you’ll nail another of this winter’s big stories: furry details.

For a bolder look, you can go all-in on the fluffy story and wrap yourself in Antonelli Firenze’s gorgeous, rust-coloured fur jacket or snuggle into a vivid purple corduroy puffer from MC2 St Barth. And, for an antidote to those grey-sky winter days, there’s nothing like a great accessory to add a flash of vivid colour to your outfit. An XXL tote (trend check!) in almost-neon green from JW Anderson and tangerine biker boots from Pollini are among the standout pieces.

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EFFORTLESS TAILORING FOR MEN M

enswear has returned to a more classical approach this season – but this new classicism is the antithesis of ‘traditional and boring’; think dynamic, stylish, modern and extremely comfortable.

The emphasis is on luxe materials and excellent cutting – encapsulated perfectly

by Moorer’s down-filled jackets and coats, paired with feather-light merino knitwear and immaculately cut jeans.

Immaculate tailoring comes in the form of a refined navy-blue pea jacket from Pal Zileri or a high-collared take on the traditional blazer from Corneliani – made effortless by pairing with a roll-neck jumper so fine that it feels like a second skin. And when knitwear isn’t super-fine, the standout pieces for this season go big on texture.

Jacob Cohen proves his mastery of a different kind of tailoring with some of the best-cut jeans in the business. Aside from denim, the pick of this season’s bunch is in winter-white fine cord (go ahead and break that rule about white jeans being only for summer!). And for comfortable-as-slippers feet, look no further than Santoni’s suede loafers or Kiton’s deluxe modern-classic sneaker styles.

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Winter Beauty Essentials

BY LUŠTICA BAY BEAUTY BAR

'T

is the season of wintry transitions: Out comes the heavy down comforter and away go the filmy tanks and tees. So, too, it goes with your beauty routine, as refreshing facial mists and light tinted moisturisers are swapped out in favour of richer creams and hydrating hair masks.

What better way to survive the cold, after all - or at least distract from it than reaching for a truly sensational, seasonal splurge?

ERIDAN BEAUTY ELIXIR MASK Beauty Elixir 2in1 is an innovative combination of mask and peeling, whose role is to narrow the pores, even out the complexion and contribute to the radiance and freshness of the facial skin. It is composed of Mediterranean pink clay, which makes the skin deeply cleansed, and apricot kernels contribute to its exfoliation for better texture and shine.

• Mediterranean Clay - the power of deep cleansing and narrowing of pores • Raspberry essence - the power of skin regeneration and hydration • Apricot pits - the power to whiten and even out the complexion

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HONEY FACE DROPS Honey Face Drops are oily, fast-absorbing drops that contribute to the hydration and radiance of your skin. This 3in1 innovative formulation has a unique texture, light as water, rich as oil and powerful as a serum.

The honey and royal jelly in the composition contribute to visibly soften and smooth the facial skin, while the cotton oil helps for a radiant appearance with weightless hydration. Rosehip oil, is rich in vitamin E, fights against the signs of ageing by promoting the faster renewal of collagen and the elasticity of the facial skin itself.

SUPERFOOD FACE CREAM Packed with active ingredients such as Apricot Oil, Peptide Argelin, Royal Jelly and Hyaluronic Acid, this cream slows down the ageing process, reducing its visible signs, leaving the complexion radiant, even and fresh. Superfood cream protects your skin from negative environmental influences and retains moisture in skin cells, providing intensive hydration.

ROVERHAIR FORTIFYING SHAMPOO Artisan of Beauty Care is Roverhair’s line specifically for scalp abnormalities. It was created to effectively treat and prevent the most common imperfections such as hair loss, dandruff, excess sebum and scalp sensitivity. Fortifying shampoo with vitamin E and menthol, is a treatment with active agents able to stimulate the scalp microcirculation and prevent brittleness and trophism of the hair bulb. This shampoo cleanses, purifies and strengthens your scalp leaving it feeling pleasantly fresh.

ROVERHAIR ELECTA HAIR COLOURS Electa is the innovative permanent ammonia colouring system with bivalent technology that provides coverage,

reflection intensity, uniformity and extreme brilliance. WPBS (Weighted Pigment Balancing System) is a special formulation system capable of perfectly matching pigments and couplers. Homogeneous Deposit System is an innovative reticular system that provides uniformity and homogeneity in pigment distribution, ensuring longer lasting colouration. Its vegan formula, containing up to 92% naturally sourced ingredients, makes it possible to develop a true beauty ritual during colouring.

ROVERHAIR BLONDER REBUILDER Blonder is the line dedicated to the treatment of grey and blonde hair, whether natural or coloured. Blonder Rebuilder guarantees a deep reconstruction, it hydrates and fortifies the hair, creating volume and extreme softness. It protects the hair and prevents the formation of split ends. 95% of this product has ingredients of natural origin, with 0% parabens.

54 | WINTER ESSENTIALS

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LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 55

A WINTER SPA DAY IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO RESTORE YOUR EQUILIBRIUM

A

mid our increasingly fast-paced lives, wellness is at the forefront of our minds as never before; self-care is no longer seen as an indulgence but as essential for living a balanced and healthy life. With so much going on, it’s almost impossible not to get caught up in the rush, so we fall out of step with our natural rhythm. This makes it all the more important to consciously practice wellness on a daily basis – whether the simple act of spending time outdoors immersed in nature, or through practices such as meditation, holistic therapies and bodywork.

During the winter, when most of us spend less time outdoors, a spa break is an excellent way to take a pause and reconnect with yourself, away from the daily pressures. A few hours – or a day – in a peaceful setting, with the care of a skilled therapist, is a powerful way to use the limited time that you have available to restore your mental and physical equilibrium. For this winter, The Chedi Spa offers three special packages to help you to unwind and refresh.

MAGIC FOR MOTHERS AND

CHILDREN

I

f you are a mother you will know how important “me-time” is – a precious interval when you can step aside from the demands of family life to relax, re-group and refresh. This three-hour package ensures absolute peace of mind by giving the children an amazing three hours of creative activities (think: art, cookie-making, facepainting, musical games) while mothers enjoy a well-earned treat.

Mothers have full use of all spa facilities, drinks and snacks, and a choice of 60-minute treatment: Balinese massage, Poultice massage or Drift-Into-Sleep massage. (€ 149 mother and one child; € 33 each additional child + 10% service charge)

WINTER GLOW-UP

Romantic Retreat

A

choice of two rituals, each offering a pampering blend of relaxation and skincare that will leave you feeling ready to embrace winter with a glow.

One package focuses on the face, combining a 60-minute revitalising facial with a 30-minute body scrub followed by the all-over application of VOYA body butter, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth. (€ 125 per person + 10% service charge)

The second Glow-Up package begins with a soothing foot bath, followed by a 75-minute hot stone massage and a revitalising 15-minute scalp massage. (€ 145 per person + 10% service charge)

D

esigned for couples, this day-spa break offers a nurturing escape from your daily routine – six hours during which you can savour a peaceful moment together, be pampered and reconnect.

You will check in to one of The Chedi’s beautiful rooms for the day, where you can enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and delicious fruit platter. With full access to all of the Spa facilities, you will enjoy a 30-minute massage in a private couple’s treatment room. The day ends with an intimate three-course dinner in the privacy of your room. (€ 349 per couple; 6 hours duration + 10% service charge)

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Magical Moments FOR OUR YOUNGEST RESIDENTS

At Luštica Bay, we're committed to creating memorable experiences for every member of our community, including our youngest residents. Tomo Asanović, our dedicated Animation Supervisor, shares insights into how Luštica Bay enriches the entertainment offer for children.

LUŠTICABAY LIFE | 57

58 | WINTER ESSENTIALS

Q. CAN YOU TELL US WHY LUŠTICA BAY'S COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY? A. Programmes for children are an integral part of any thriving community, and Luštica Bay is no exception. As a family-oriented destination, we aim to offer a highquality life experience all year round. By providing diverse entertainment for children, we not only make them happy but also leave the parents equally content, creating a positive ripple effect throughout our community.

Q. COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE RICH ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT THAT LUŠTICA BAY OFFERS FOR CHILDREN? A. Luštica Bay offers a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from summer camps and creative workshops to the Kids’ Club in Marina Village, where parents can safely leave their children while enjoying some time for themselves. Our staff engage with the children to understand what kind of activities might best suit their personalities. Activities include arts and crafts, educational workshops, competitions and themed evening events. We have successfully hosted summer camps for basketball and water polo and plan to build on that success. Luštica Bay has two modern open-air playgrounds – one in Marina Village behind The Chedi Hotel and the other in Pine Alley Park – and more will be added as the destination continues to grow.

Q. LUŠTICA BAY’S SECOND KIDS’ CLUB LOCATION WILL SOON OPEN IN CENTRALE PIAZZA. WHAT CAN FAMILIES LOOK FORWARD TO THERE? A. Being mindful of the ages of our residents and their different needs, our new Kids’ Club in Centrale Village will offer pre-teens a dedicated space with a variety of video games, a mini-cinema, and a small rock-climbing wall. For our

youngest residents, aged 3 to 5, we have a climbing net and ball pit for motor skills development. In Pine Alley Park, we plan to organise activities for children who are part of the Kids Club, ranging from sports to recycling workshops.

We also plan to introduce family activities, where children and parents can collaborate on projects. Additionally, we're always happy to organise children’s birthday celebrations in the club to ensure a memorable party.

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Q. HOW DOES LUŠTICA BAY ENSURE THAT THE ACTIVITIES ARE NOT ONLY FUN BUT ALSO SAFE FOR CHILDREN? A. Safety is paramount to us. Our staff members are all trained in First Aid, and we have a thorough registration process for every child, during which we collect crucial information about the child's health, special needs, allergies, and any particular requests from parents.

Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SETS LUŠTICA BAY APART WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN? A. We take pride in our well-trained and experienced staff, each of whom specialises in different areas so that we can provide the best possible service, personalising it in ways that involve both children and parents. At the Kids’ Club, our staff encourages social interaction and children build lasting friendships with each other. We aim to discover children's talents in art, sports and more, and help them to develop their skills. Naturally, all of our staff members are multilingual – which is essential in the multinational environment of Luštica Bay.

TOP 10 BENEFITS of Luštica Bay Kids’ Club 1. We create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the children and tailor our services based on the children’s particular needs, also taking into consideration parents’ feedback when designing programmes 2. We place an emphasis on educational play that awakens childrens’ creativity and natural curiosity 3. Our activities are designed to nurture team spirit and encourage children to form friendships

By providing diverse entertainment for children, we not only make them happy but also leave the parents equally content, creating a positive ripple effect throughout our community.

4. We take pride in our well-trained, experienced and multi-lingual staff, who have many different interests and areas of expertise to share with the children 5. Our activities are electronic-free. We focus on creative and social entertainment 6. Safety is a priority, and all staff are trained in First Aid 7. We offer Babysitting services for children under the age of three, with one-on-one care for the youngest guests 8. We can organise themed birthday parties, animated with games, face painting, balloon twisting and more 9. Our Kids’ Clubs are Adult-Free Zones 10. We are open seven days a week

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MON TE NEGRO’S F IRST GOLF RE SIDE NC E S

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