Secret Montenegro - by Ivana Maksimovic (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Let an insider guide you to a country of breathtaking beaches, dramatic ice-capped mountains, stunning centuries-old architecture, and charming towns - that's Montenegro, a secret gem in Southeastern Europe.

"At the birth of our planet, the most beautiful encounter between the land and the sea must have happened at the coast of Montenegro." -Lord Byron

In Secret Montenegro, Ivana Maksimovic guides the reader through the country of her childhood summers, offering the insights of an insider and revealing its many treasures, from the soft green hills, quiet stone villages, and pristine beaches of the Lustica Peninsula to the spectacular Bay of Kotor, with its inky sea and dark, fairy-tale mountains. Along the way, we encounter medieval churches and hidden interiors, steeped in tradition and myth, and enjoy a touch of luxury in the region's coastal resorts. Above all, Secret Montenegro is a love letter to the country's landscape, architecture, design, delightful cuisine, and especially its people.

The tiny nation of Montenegro is an often-unsung gem of the Adriatic coast. Writers, poets, intrepid travelers, and adventurers have long been seduced by its mountains and monasteries, its secret beaches and medieval fortresses. This ancient country has been shaped by its seafaring past and touched by socialism, yet as an independent nation it remains rooted in the tenets of traditional Montenegrin life - agriculture, olive oil production, and fishing - which happily coexist with a more recent advent of cosmopolitan tourists.

Illustrated with stunning images, including the author's own photographs and many specially taken by photographer Boz Gagovski, Secret Montenegro captures a deeply personal journey through a special and unique country, whose tranquil charm and unspoiled natural beauty are celebrated in its pages.

About the Author

Born in Montenegro when it was still part of Yugoslavia, Ivana Maksimovic is an architect and graphic designer. She studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York and has worked as an art director at Ogilvy, with stints in Belgrade, London, and Milan. In 2003, she launched her own fashion label, Ivana Ma London. A keen traveler and photographer, she splits her time between London, the Cotswolds, and Montenegro, always surrounded by art, design, and nature. Tree Sherriff is a contributing editor at World of Interiors. She studied English at Oxford University and has written for television drama series and documentaries. She lives in the English countryside with her partner and four children. Boz Gagovski is an interiors and lifestyle photographer based in London. Collaborating with commercial and private clients, including House & Garden, Architectural Digest, and Elle Decoration, on a diverse range of projects, he strives to create images that tell a unique and beautiful story.

Ivana Maksimovic grew up in the former Yugoslavia and spent her childhood summers in Montenegro. After training as an architect and working as a graphic designer, Ivana launched her fashion line, Ivana Ma. A passionate traveler and photographer, she lives with her husband and two children. They split their time between London, the Cotswolds, and - of course - Montenegro.

Tree Sherriff is a writer and contributing editor at World of Interiors. Following a degree in English Literature at Oxford University and a Masters in American literature and psychoanalysis, Tree became an editor at Virago Press. She then wrote for television dramas and arts documentaries. Tree divides her time between London and the English countryside, where she lives with her partner and four children.

Boz Gagovski is an interiors and lifestyle photographer based in London. Collaborating with commercial and private clients, including House & Garden, Architectural Digest, and Elle Decoration, on a diverse range of projects, he strives to create images that tell a unique and beautiful story.