Montenegro

Montenegro /meaning Black Mountain/ is beautiful tiny country of South-east Europe, and the Central Mediterranean country of unique natural and rich architectural and cultural heritage. Montenegro features diversity of stunning landscapes and climates, and well preserved natural environment of “black” mountains, awesome canyons, blue Adriatic sea and green blossoming meadows and idyllic lakes. The recognizable brand of “Montenegro Wild Beauty“ is attributed by fact that visitors of Montenegro are provided with magnificent landscape of extraordinary beautiful nature but also with varied and high quality tourist services, aimed to please every guest. 

Perast photo Dejan Knezevic

Montenegro is country where the mountains descend almost directly into the sea, creating a surreal atmosphere and one of the undiscovered gems of the former Yugoslavia. Nowhere else can you find so much natural wealth, beauty, mild beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers, and gorgeous mountains in such a compact area as in Montenegro. In the morning you can wake up along the beautiful Adriatic coast, have lunch on the banks of Skadar Lake, and enjoy an evening walk in the Montenegrin mountains. Montenegro has wonderful coast to the Adriatic Sea, and borders Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the southeast. Total surface of Montenegro is 13,812 km2 and its sea coast is 293 km long comprising 117 beaches. It includes Boka Kotorska Bay, one of the ten most beautiful bays in the world and it is the most southerly fyord in Europe. Montenegro is a still rather unknown place in the southern part of the Balkans often referred to as the “Hidden Pearl of the Mediterranean“.

The expression of “Crna Gora” is first time mentioned in 1276 in the founding charter of King Milutin. It is considered that Montenegro got its name after the lush forests that covered the Lovcen Mountain and the surrounding areas. Those forests were so deeply dark that provided observer the impression of the black mountain. The name of Crna Gora (English Montenegro) referred in the late 14th century only to a small strip of land of the Pastrović tribe in the Adriatic coastal region, but came to be used for a wider mountainous region after the Crnojević family in the Upper Zeta. This region became known by the 19th century as the Stara Crna Gora – the Old Montenegro to distinguishes it from the newly acquired territory of the Brda /the Highlands/. Montenegrins or ”Karadžadaglije” – in Turkish – are settlers of the four former Ottoman regions, whose descendants settle the regions – Katunski, Lješanski, Riječki and Crmnicki, while members of all the other population are known as Brđani, Hercegovci, Vasojevići, Pivljani, Zatarci, Grbljani, Paštrovići, Maine, Bokelji…

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro and Cetinje is the old royal capital and historic and cultural center. The Central Region of Montenegro, harboring both with the capital city of Podgorica, which is administrative and economic center of the country, and the old royal Montenegrin capital of Cetinje, a town museum in which at times, because of its multitude of old buildings, you have the feeling that time has come to a stand-still – contain a remarkable natural and cultural heritage. Podgorica is located in the fertile Zeta River plain from where in half an hour of drive you can get to the mountains or the stunning Skadar Lake and in an hour, the seaside. Podgorica used to be called Titograd after the infamous Yugoslav dictator Marshal Tito.

The wonderful North of Montenegro is breathtaking and known for its ski resorts, but is also favored by mountaineers and visitors who /can/ enjoy spectacular views of its mountain ranges and peaks in summer. The North of Montenegro abounds in gorgeous canyons, mountain peaks covered in snow even in summertime, thrilling caves and unusually beautiful lakes…  For example the wonderful Kapetanovo jezero Lake is located on the Lukavica Mountain which belongs to the Moracke planine Mountain chains. It is set at the altitude of 1678 meters, created as the result of the glacial activities. There are interesting legents on the creation of the Kapetanovo jezero lake, one of them saying about the mountain hut with the crystal clear spring high in the cliffs, where numphs used to gather and swim …. away from the human eyes….

The harsh and mountainous territory of Montenegro is mostly occupied by the karts relief, particularly in the west, where the Durmitor Mountain /2522 meters/ reaches the highest peak of the country. Between these mountains are the narrow valleys and canyons of the rivers of Piva, Tara, Lim, while those of the Moraca River and its tributaries will broaden to form the only short plains of the region, limited to the south by Skadar Lake that in part belongs to Albania.

The cities on the Montenegrin coast will definitely seduce you with their charm, diversity and the pleasant Mediterranean climate. The coastal part of Montenegro feature typical characteristics of the Mediterranean region and is separated by ranges of Orjen, Lovćen anad Rumija Mountains from the interior of the country. The coastal area of Montenegro includes the territories of Municipalities of Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat, Budva, Bar and Ulcinj. Each coastal town of Montenegrin Riviera tells its own story. Herceg Novi, a true Mediterranean botanical garden, a town of colorful carnivals and artists. Kotor is an UNESCO museum-town and settlement of ancient seafarers, builders and scientists. Budva is an open-air stage for theatrical performances and festivals, a town of stunning beaches and a thrilling night life. Ulcinj is a town of many cultures, the easternmost West and westernmost East.

The exquisite mountainous landscapes of Montenegro must have been a discouragement to every potential conqueror but nowadays there are some 6000 kilometers of hiking and biking paths, of which a large number has already been marked that are highly attractive evoking strong desire and curiosity and affinity to new discoverers. Montenegro features steep rugged rocks and their unbelievable variety, and almost untouched nature where wolves and bears hide in primeval forests.

A fascinating Montenegrin mountain world with over 150 peaks higher than 2,000 meters, with sleepy villages and peaceful high mountain pastures reminding of times long past are awaiting adventurers. The whole territory of Montenegro is actually a big national park, which encompasses few national parks, many mountains, rivers, canyons, lakes and the Adriatic seaside. Also, Montenegro offers enjoyment in many outstanding panoramas of incredible nature beauties. In the morning you can wake up along the beautiful Adriatic coast, have lunch on the banks of the Skadar Lake, and enjoy an evening hike in the Montenegrin mountains ! With four national parks of widely contrasting characteristics Montenegro is real natural treasure to be explored. Challenging hiking routes of fantastically diverse National Parks that are all easy to reach inspire every visitor. For individualists, Montenegro is a country of natural adventure which has become very rare in Europe: safe and free, often sparsely populated and unspoiled. You will meet few people on the most trekking Montenegro trails, in some regions water is scarce and along some routes accommodations are still rare. But the choice of places to stay is steadily increasing all over the country – mountain huts, apartments, bungalows and private rooms as well as hotels of all categories. Individual mountain-bike tours in Montenegro are still reserved for the genuine adventurer with a quest for the wild, looking for the challenges of Montenegro’s mountain world, with the tent in the backpack on his own or with an escort jeep.

In addition, thanks to our wonderful partheship with Montenegrin partners, we organize and arrange for visitors to Montenegro extra activities as going with a guide to the local market to learn about the foods and specialities of the region, picking their own mussels for lunch in the Bay of Kotor or a visit to a preserved stone village on the mountain above Tivat to learn about the local culture, history of the village and the people who live there. This village made a deal amongst all the inhabitants – no-one would sell their properties for foreigners. It has now become a heritage site. One of the local guides has a family house in the village and it is very authentic and interesting as well as having stunning views. Another very interesting visit is to a local olive oil producers – family run, taste the olive oil, enjoy some homecooked food and learn about the process involved in producing olive oil in the traditional way. Contact us to be updated on the latest tours and memorable culinary delights!

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