For our summer vacation this year, we chose the destination Montenegro. With the help of some suggestions, we put together our own round trip from Podgorica - Kolasin - Zabeljak - Kotor - Petrovac - Podgorica.
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, but in our opinion, it didn't have much to offer in terms of sights, so we were glad when we could head towards Kolasin. However, it was recommended to try the pastries from the bakery next door, where they had delicious puff pastry filled with chocolate and poppy seeds and covered with lots of chocolate cream.
Kolasin
We chose our next stop in Kolasin because of its proximity to Biogradska Gora National Park, where you can find one of the last virgin forests in Europe.
Lake Biogradsko Jezero Bridge through the forest
Crystal clear streams in the forest
View of the forest and Lake Biogradsko Jezero
After two nice days in Kolasin, our journey took us along the Tara River towards Zabeljak, the highest place in Montenegro.
Tara River
Tara River
Tara Bridge
View from Tara Bridge
Zabeljak
Zabeljak is located at the foot of Durmitor National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The first two days were sunny and warm, so we could enjoy the colors at Lake Crno Jezero. Unfortunately, the weather changed afterwards and it was rainy and only 10 degrees warm, so the clouds hung so low in the mountains that the originally planned hikes to higher mountains were no longer worthwhile. Therefore, we hiked in the flat area of the national park in the light rain, accompanied by a street dog. As compensation, we had delicious steaks in our hotel in the evening.
Lake Crno Jezero
Lake Crno Jezero
Lake Crno Jezero after the rain
Durmitor Massif
Our journey took us further along the coast to Kotor in a small guesthouse directly at the Bay of Kotor with its own access to the water.
Plateau of Zabeljak
View of the Bay of Kotor during our approach
Bay of Kotor
Our visit to the old town of Kotor, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, was clouded by the fact that two cruise ships were anchored there, so the small old town was completely overcrowded. Therefore, we decided to climb the city walls of Kotor, but it was equally crowded. With temperatures over 30 degrees, it was quite a sweaty affair... but you were rewarded with a beautiful view of the bay.
Bay of Kotor and roofs of the old town Bay of Kotor View from our balcony View from our balcony We visited the old town of Herceg Novi next. Here, the Bay of Kotor opens to the open sea of the Adriatic. The city was recommended in the travel guide, but we didn't like it that much. Houses in Herceg Novi Square in front of the gate to the old town Perast Islands off the coast of Perast Perast During our second visit to the old town of Kotor, it was much less crowded since there was no cruise ship anchored. Old town of Kotor Old town of Kotor Old town of Kotor Sunset on the balcony On the last day of our stay, we followed the scenic road 'Cattaro's Ladder' towards Lovcen National Park and the Njegos Mausoleum. The road conditions became more and more adventurous towards the end as the road narrowed down.But you can enjoy some magnificent views. View over the Bay of Kotor Njegos Mausoleum Bay of KotorWe continued along the coast to Budva and then Petrovac na moru. After spending most of the past two weeks in less touristy places, we didn't feel very comfortable in Budva with its numerous stalls, pubs, and souvenir shops and quickly continued our journey.
Petrovac na moru
In Petrovac na moru, it was nicer, but the beaches were overcrowded, and if you wanted to swim, you had to rent sun loungers with umbrellas. However, they were so close together that it felt more like sardines in a can. The sea looked great, but it was so crowded that we didn't want to go swimming, at least not at a normal time of day. That's why I went swimming early in the morning and enjoyed a manageable number of people at 7.30 am. On the way back to the hotel shortly before 8.00 am, people were already streaming to the beach. The water is crystal clear, and you can see different fish and sea urchins on the seabed. Swimming early was worth it. Lucica Beach Petrovac na moru Fortress Petrovac na moru Islands Katich and Sveta Nedelja Coast near Petrovac na moru There is the Skadar Lake National Park nearby. Among other things, you can find pelicans there, but you can only see them on quite expensive boat tours. Therefore, we decided to take a small walk along a road by the Skadar Lake. The next day, we drove along this road by car, and we encountered a few turtles. We had planned to follow the road to just before the Albanian border, but the road conditions, which were already poor, got worse and worse, so we eventually turned around and drove back. Skadar Lake Skadar Lake Skadar Lake We made a short stop in Sveti Stefan on our way back to Podgorica to take a look at the small hotel island from the outside. You can only enter the island if you have booked a room there or reserved a table in a restaurant. Hotel island of Sveti Stefan The next day, we stocked up on the delicious chocolate pastries and after a good two and a half weeks in Montenegro, we started our journey back home. Date of travel: June 2017 Accommodations:Podgorica: Hotel M NikicKolasin: Bianca Resort & SpaZabeljak: Hotel SoaKotor: Villa PMPetrovac: Corso Levante Luxury Suites
