I have loved taking ferry rides ever since I was a little girl.

There was something so exciting about driving our car onto a ferry and getting to spend the voyage topside, either sipping hot chocolate indoors on stormy days or clinging to the railing outside with my brothers, not caring if the wind was turning my hair into a tangle of knots.

That love continues unabated to this day, so I was very excited when, on a road trip through Montenegro a few years ago, we found a ferry to take us across the water to Budva instead of having to drive all the way around.

My brother, friends and I waited happily on the pier, soaking up sunshine as we watching boats bobbing in the water and people queuing up for the ferry.

waiting for a Montenegro ferry

Finally it was time to board and we took our places along the railing, unwilling to miss a single moment of our surprise voyage.

It was a beautiful trip with balmy breezes, the occasional splash of water, and more gorgeous views than our eyes could take in.

Montenegro ferries

We saw towering mountains and pretty little fishing villages, farms clinging to the hillside and opulent villas surrounded by stately Cyprus trees.

lakeside villas in Montenegro

There were tower-topped islands and picturesque inlets and clusters of red-tiled buildings around every bend.

Montenegrin ferry

All too soon our splendid ride was over and we clambered back aboard our cavernous 9-passenger van, cranking up the air conditioning and the music as we rumbled our way off the ferry, down the road, and into the beautiful seaside city of Budva, Montenegro.

Montenegro minaret

Do you like ferry rides too? What is your favorite one to take and why?