DAY 1: TIVAT (Montenegro) ARRIVAL
Arrival to Tivat airport.
Private transfer to your hotel in Kotor.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Kotor.
DAY 2: BOKA BAY HIGLIGHTS EXPLORER: UNESCO CITY OF KOTOR & PERAST
Departure from hotel with a guide assist. Sightseeing of Kotor’s Old town, the one of the most significant old towns on the entire Mediterranean. The medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have put Kotor on the UNESCO list of the “World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites”. Throughout the city there are structures, interwoven by streets and squares On one of them there is the St. Tripun Cathedral built in 1166), the monument of the Roman culture and one of the most recognized symbols of the city. Also there are other important monumets such as: St. Luke’s Church (13th century), the Church of St. Anna ( 12th century ), the Church of St. Mary (13th century), the Church of Our Lady of the Health (15th century), the Duke’s Palace (17th century), Napoleon’s Theater (19th century) that represent just one part of the rich treasures of the Kotor tradition. After viewing beautiful streets and squares of the Old town Kotor group is moving to Perast, old fisherman’s village and the town of the first Montenegrin mariners. The most beautiful buildings of this small city were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. In front of this beautiful town are two islands situated, Saint George from the 12th century, and the Church of Our Lady of the Rock built in 1630. Visit island “Lady of the Rock” and come back to Perast.
Return back to Kotor for overnight.
DAY 3: BUDVA RIVIERA & TIVAT HIGHLIGHTS EXPLORER
Depart from hotel with guide assist into the direction of island St. Stefan where you will have panorama view on the island and amazing photo break. This island of unusual appearance, surrounded by high stone walls, carries the title of the most beautiful building on Montenegrin coast for good reason. Once a fishing village, now widely known and respected city – hotel leaves no one indifferent. There you will have photo break and proceed with walking through Miločer Park (King’s and Queen’s beach). Panorama of Budva Riviera consists of picturesque, natural beauty of towns that permeate and give this part of the coast unique flair. After viewing panorama of this beautiful island, you will continue in direction of Old town Budva. Budva, is considered as one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic (over 2500 years old). The legend of which there are proofs in many Greek myths says that Budva was founded by Cadmos, the son of Phoenician king Agenon. He was banished from Teba and he reached this territory in ox-wagon and founded Budva. After visiting Budva, you will go in direction of Tivat and visit marina Porto Montenegro. Porto Montnegro is a luxury development that features waterfront homes, a nautical village and a superyacht marina, that is starting to be recognized as a Montenegro’s premier shopping and dining center. In the nautical village is located one of the objects that can rarely be visited – submarine “Hero”. Group will have a unique experience and visit this real military submarine, go inside and check its interior. Reflecting the area’s rich maritime tradition, the Naval Heritage Collection is housed in a beautifully restored building and showcases over 300 artefacts, from Yugoslav submarines to the diaries of Montenegro’s Princess Ksenija, Austro – Hungarian ship equipment and industrial machines, which you will also visit.
Overnight in Kotor.
DAY 4: MINI MONTENEGRO EXPLORER: CETINJE – NJEGUŠI – NP LOVĆEN
Drive to Cetinje, old capital of Montenegro by coach. We pause at the viewpoint situated on the Braici. There you can enjoy the spectacular view of Riviera of Budva. Cetinje was founded in the 15th century by Ivan Crnojevic the last ruler of strong medieval state of Zeta, and it was the historical capital of Montenegro for five centuries. Discover the story on Montenegrin history through the riches of historic edifices and museums in the “valley of gods”. In Cetinje is located Royal Palace of last Montenegro King Nikola from dynasty Petrovic and Cetinje Monastery. Visit the Royal Palace.
The path leads us through the untouched nature of the National Park to the mausoleum Lovćen, the highest in the world, where you’re going to take 461 steps to get to the Mausoleum and get the opportunity to admire the beauties of our country from the bird’s perspective.
We continue our way to Negusi, authentic Montenegrin village, known by traditional local cuisine where great Montenegrin spiritual and poet Njegos was born. Arrival in Njegusi. Domestic smoked ham and cheese tasting in one of the national restaurants. Return back to hotel via old Austrian “hair- pin” road where we make a small photo breaks for taking pictures of spectacular Boka Bay and enjoying in a charming view. Boka Bay is listed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
Returning is planned by a completely different route with a famous 25 curves road which is also a tourist attraction and driving through it is an adventure by itself.
Overnight in Kotor.
DAY 5: SKADAR LAKE EXPLORER PRIVATE TOUR
Departure from hotel with guide assistance. From hotel we will drive to Virpazar, a town on Skadar Lake. During the drive, enjoy in the sightseeing of Budva’s Riviera.
Arrival in Virpazar, charming village, situated on the coast of Skadar Lake, where we can see characteristic synthesis of flora and fauna. From Virpazar with boat, you go to see a Skadar lake which is the biggest lake on the Balkan Peninsula and it is a last asylum of Pelicans. The lake is a crypt o depression, which means that in some parts the bottom of the lake is below sea level. This territory is a witness to indescribable beauty with its overgrown coast, bays, capes and islands, all of which are the reason this is the most unique lake on the entire European continent. On these islands numerous monasteries, churches and holy monuments are situated. The many fortifications on these islands, mostly build by the Turks, and later on by the Montenegrin, stand as witnesses to the wars fought between the two nations. Embark on a boat and have a cruise through this amazing lake. After cruise group will have lunch in a restaurant near Lake.
Departure to Podgorica and overnight.
DAY 6: PODGORICA HIGHLIGHTS EXPLORER & WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE AT PLANTAŽE WINERY
Podgorica, the capital city of Montenegro, although not a typical European eye candy, does contain a number of sights well deserving attention, particularly the modern-built Millennium Bridge over the Morača River and the old stone bridge over the Ribnica River, much as the Turkish-built, centuries-old Clock Tower rising over the old town. T
In the company of your local guide, you will take a walking tour of the Old Town of Podgorica during which you will be immersed in the history and stories behind Podgorica’s major sights. Why the remains of the Ribnica Fortress is so important for the locals? It stands at the crossroad of the Ribnica and Moraca rivers and attracts with incredible views. Was the Ribnica Bridge built in Roman times? Do you know that the Clock Tower was built in the 17th century? You will visit Millennium Bridge, some of the most important monuments dedicated to Podgorica’s rulers during the long history, Orthodox cathedral third biggest in Balkans.
Plantaže Winery represents one of the most significant and most important grape and wine producers in southeastern Europe. Today, Plantaže Winery owns and manages vineyards covering 2,310 hectares in Montenegro. The property houses three wine cellars with a capacity of 33 million liters, a rootstock nursery, a peach tree grove, a fish pond producing 100 tonnes of California trout annually, and different retail and catering facilities. The company performs under the International Standards of quality with an annual production of about 22 million kilograms of grapes, launching 17 million bottles into the markets and 2000 tons of the grapes for fresh consumption into more than 35 countries worldwide.
The wines of Plantaže Winery have won more than 800 awards at wine contests, competitions, and wine fairs worldwide.
Through multiple programs, your local host will take you through three different cellars, wine boutiques, and restaurants of Plantaže – through one authentic world of aromas and flavors of the Montenegrin area. Feel the impressive ambiance of the unique wine cellar in Europe, enjoying unforgettable scents and tastes – in “bouquet” of our region.
Overnight in Podgorica
DAY 7: OSTROG MONASTERY SIGHTSEEING
Drive from hotel to Monastery Ostrog. Monastery Ostrog is for Montenegro what Meteors are for Greece. Monastery Ostrog, a miracle built by nature and human interactions, carved almost in its entirety in a vertical mountain cliff, from where you can enjoy in the beautiful view of Bjelopavlica valley, today is the pearl of Montenegrin spiritualism that is annually visited by more than a hundred thousand pilgrims from around the world and of all religions. Arrive in Monastery. Ostrog monastery is the most popular pilgrimage place in Montenegro. The Monastery was founded by Vasilije,the Metropolitan Bishop of Herzegovina in the 17th century. He died there in 1671 and some years later he was glorified. His body is enshrined in a reliquary kept in the cave-church dedicated to the Presentation of the Mother of God to the Temple.
The Orthodox monastery of Ostrog is one of the most frequently visited on the Balkans and it is unique in the world because it is visited by believers from all parts of the world, and represents the meeting place of all confessions: the Orthodox, the Catholics and the Muslims. According to the stories of pilgrims, by praying by his body, many have been cured and helped in lessening the difficulties in their lives. Near the Monastery there are billets, which together with the monastery, nature and also springs of the holy water create unforgettable surrounding. Visit the Monastery.
Overnight in Podgorica.
DAY 8: TARA CANYON RAFTING ADVENTURE
Depart from hotel early in the morning. Arrival of the participants on Scepan Polje, breakfast in the restaurant on the river bank. Driving with terrain vehicles to the Brstanovica (starting point of the rafting). Preparations for rafting (providing participants with instructions and life belts, helmets and appropriate waterproof clothes and shoes). Rafting through the most attractive rapids on Tara River. During rafting, there will be breaks for taking photos and swimming.
During rafting we will see Tepca village (famous by old wire bridge and attractive rapids; also the spot where the canyon is the deepest), Bajlovica Sige, Gornje and Dolje Nozdruc rapids, canyon of Susica, Prodrtu Usov (great and sttractive rapid), Brstanovica camp and Brstanovica rapids, Varda, Celije, Vjernovica Buk…. The Tara canyon is sky-diving into the depths of earth, a furrow deeply cut between sky-high mountains, one of the deepest canyons made by river erosion forces in the world, the deepest canyon in Europe, and possibly the most beautiful in the world. Arrival at Scepan Polje, the end of the rafting. Lunch in the restaurant on the riverbank.
Overnight in Podgorica.
*Note: In case rafting is not your thing, we can easily substitute rafting for another tour or day at your own leisure.
DAY 9: DISCOVER DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK
Indubitably the most beautiful natural reservoir of Montenegro and the whole range of Dinaric Alps, is the stunning Durmitor National Park. Formed by glaciers and traversed by beautiful rivers and underground streams, this limestone massif is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Balkans. With Tara canyon, as one of the deepest gorges in Europe, amazing glacier lakes known as “mountain eyes”, pine forests and a wide range of endemic flora, Durmitor National Park is the best exploratory adventure one can have.
In Durmitor National Park Visitor Centre you’ll learn all about the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the preservation of its plants and wildlife, which includes species like the griffon vulture, the brown bear and the golden eagle.
Overnight in Podgorica.
DAY 10: FLY OUT
Private transfer to Podgorica airport.
Fly out of Montenegro.