Our time in Kotor is winding down, and this past week has been one of the most relaxed stretches of our trip so far. We slowed our pace, soaked in the charm of the Old Town, caught up on some movies, and even made time for a small but memorable visit to the local aquarium.
A Visit to the Aquarium on the Bay
Right on the edge of the water sits the Kotor Aquarium—a small but unique facility that highlights the marine biodiversity of the Adriatic. It opened in 2021 as part of the Institute of Marine Biology, which has been studying the region’s ecosystems since the mid-20th century. While the aquarium itself isn’t large, its location is spectacular—directly on the Bay of Kotor, with sweeping views of the mountains meeting the sea. The exhibits are intimate, focusing on native Adriatic species and raising awareness about conservation in this part of the world.
Taking It Easy
Our final week here was all about balance. We explored more of the winding stone streets, enjoyed simple pleasures like gelato (always a win), and tried a few new restaurants. But most importantly, we slowed down. Some days were spent wandering, others were spent just being. Every day included snapping photos of cats! After weeks of constant movement, this was exactly what we needed.
Movie Reviews: What We’ve Been Watching
One unexpected part of our downtime? Movie marathons. Casey’s a big horror fan, so naturally, a lot of our picks leaned into that genre. Here are my (very) casual takes—just one traveler’s perspective:
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Starring: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, others
- Synopsis: A group of friends is haunted by a dark secret from their past, with a killer stalking them one year later.
My take: Entertaining, but it didn’t live up to the original. The setup had potential, but the reveal of the killer(s) felt lazy. Still, the post-credit teaser gave me hope for a more exciting sequel. 6/10
Together (2025)
- Genre: Drama/Horror
- Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman
- Synopsis: A relationship drama that slowly spirals into darker, more unsettling territory, mixing humor and horror.
My take: The story grabbed me early on but eventually unraveled into something a little too unsettling. The body horror was over the top, but I appreciated that the ending wasn’t wrapped up in a pretty bow. Life rarely is. 6.5/10
Until Dawn (2025)
- Genre: Horror/Survival
- Starring: Ella Rubin, Maia Mitchell, Peter Stormare, Belmont Cameli, Michael Cimino, Ji-young You, Odessa A’zion
- Synopsis: A group of characters faces terrifying consequences while being hunted in an isolated location.
My take: The plot didn’t make much sense, but it was fun anyway. The kills were creative and sometimes even funny. I’ve never played the video game, and I don’t plan to, but I actually enjoyed the film. 7/10
Sinners (2025)
- Genre: Crime/Horror
- Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfield, Wunmi Mosaku, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo
- Synopsis: A crime story that twists into a dark horror narrative with layered characters and shocking turns.
My take: Fantastic movie. It started more like a gangster/crime flick but turned into a gripping horror film. The acting, especially by Michael B. Jordan, was phenomenal. Some thought it was too long; I would’ve loved an extra 20 minutes for more elaborate kills and backstory. 8.5/10
Bring Her Back (2025)
- Genre: Psychological Horror/Drama
- Starring: Sora Wong, Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Jonah Wren Phillips
- Synopsis: A chilling story of love, loss, and obsession that pushes characters into terrifying emotional territory.
My take: Disturbing in the best way. The acting was top-notch, the violence unsettling, and the emotions raw. I would’ve liked more origin detail, but the story was gripping from start to finish. 9/10
We’ve also been watching the new series Alien: Earth—and honestly, I think I might like it even more than most of the films. It’s smart, suspenseful, and delivers exactly what fans of the franchise (and the genre) are looking for. If you’re into the Alien movies, sci-fi, or horror in general, this one is a must-watch. 10/10 – Highly recommend!
Heading to Budva
As much as we’ve loved Kotor, we’re excited to head south to Budva for some beach time. The Budva Riviera is known for its stunning coastline, and we’re ready to trade medieval streets for sandy shores. Another perk? A wider variety of cuisine. Kotor’s restaurants are great, but the menus often repeat—fish, risotto, pasta, pizza, seafood. We love all of these things, but after a while, variety is welcome. Casey’s already staked out a Mexican restaurant in Budva and declared it our first stop.
Looking Ahead: Travel Plans for 2026
We’ve also been sketching out our travel plans for the first half of 2026. We’ve made some exciting changes from our original itinerary, and soon we’ll be sharing the details. I will say this though: we’ll be visiting two continents we’ve never been to before, instead of just one. The next chapter of this journey is shaping up to be even bigger than we imagined.
For now, though, it’s goodbye to Kotor. The cats, the bay, the history—they’ve left their mark. Next stop: Budva, beaches, and burritos.
Brand On The Run 