DAY 1: Departure from USA
- Depart the USA for Podgorica City in Montenegro. Your international flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment.
|
DAY 2: The city under the Mountain
- Your plane lands at the airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our guide. After transfer to the hotel and check-in, you have some time to rest after the flight. Then we start our city tour.
- The capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, lies in a beautiful valley, surrounded by the picturesque mountains that shape its landscape. Indeed, Podgorica lives up to its name, which in Slavic languages means under the mountain. Obviously, the current name is much more poetic than the previous one, Titograd, or the city of Tito, which celebrated the Yugoslavian dictator.
- Frankly speaking, Podgorica is quite an off the beaten path destination, as it is often overshadowed by its Balkan capital sisters and even by many other destinations in Montenegro.
- To some extent, this is because the main part of its heritage was destroyed during World War II, and Podgorica lost the charm of history. At the same time, it does have the special ambience and exclusiveness of a road untraveled, so it promises to share its story with those who gave it the chance.
- In the old town our attention is drawn by the Ottoman heritage, represented by the ruins of the fortress and the delicate bridge over the river Ribnica, dated back to the 1700s. The other preserved monuments of those times are Starodoganjska and Osmanagica mosques, as well as the Clock Tower. But frankly speaking, Montenegrins are much more proud of their monarch King Nicola, who liberated their country from the Ottoman rule, so they revere monuments related to his family much higher. In Podgorica they are the Royal Palace and his monument that we also stop to find out about.
- Here and there we will come across an eclectic mix of socialist boring and modern architecture. One of the main landmarks of the capital is the Millennium Bridge that enriches the cityscape with its avangard design.
- We cannot miss visiting the main religious building of Podgorica, the Orthodox Church of the Resurrection, or Hristovog Vaskrsenja. Interestingly, it had been built for 20 years, and was finished only in 2013. Even so it is brand new, the pompous building is created in a unique style.
- Byzantine motifs blend with Gothic and modern features. For example, its towers were designed to resemble the famous Cathedral of St Tryphon in Kotor.
|
DAY 3: Montenegrin cousin of Venice
- Being a tiny capital of a tiny country, Podgorica becomes a perfect start for further explorations of incredible Montenegro. This day we will dedicate probably to the most famous destination in Montenegro Budva riviera. But first we make a scenic stop near Sveti Stefan peninsula, gracefully nestled between the land and the sea. We appreciate Sveti Stefan from the shore, since the peninsula hosts a luxurious resort now.
- Budva is a real princess of Montenegro. As aristocratically sophisticated and suave as she is, fashionable resorts and modern vibes bring a youngish ardour to this lady. Its history spans around 2500 years, so we may discern Roman ruins in the centre of Budva. But the town reached the height during the rule of Venetians that built defensive walls encircling the old town. On the square of churches we marvel at 3 shrines representing various historical
- epochs and religions. Near the citadel, we pay attention to ancient St. Maria church of the 9th century, founded due to Spanish missionaries. In St. Ivan&rsquos church, the main Catholic shrine
- of the town, we admire the famous icon of Budvanska Bogorodica Holy Mother of God of Budva. According to a legend, the author of this icon that dates back to the 13th century is Sveti Luka (St. Luke). Finally, we make a stop near the Holy Trinity church - a sacred place for Orthodox Christians. It was built only in the 19th century, after the defeat of Venetians, when AustriaHungary Empire gave the permission to build Orthodox churches.
- A little bit outside the old town we find the statue of a ballerina, gracefully frozen in a dance move. A lot of legends are related to this girl, and our guide is happy to confide them in you.
- Besides, this spot offers the best panorama on Budva as well.
- After the tour you are given free time to indulge in Budva by yourself. You may get lost in its streets and cafes, or simply relax by one of many beaches along the Adriatic coast.
- Meals: Breakfast
|
DAY 4: Miracle in the Cliff
- We wend our way to one of the most famous and unusual places of Montenegro Ostrog cave monastery. Perched on a 900 metre cliff, perfectly fit in the silhouette of the rocks, this monastery is the most important religious place for Orthodox Christians in Montenegro. Some parishioners ascend there barefoot or on their knees.
- Sv  Vasilije St. Basil the Miraculous, a bishop from Hercegovina, brought his monks to the place after the Ottomans destroyed his monastery near Trebinje. He started this monastery with three caves in the 17th century, and now it impresses with deftness and significance of the structure.
- The frescoes on the rough stone are, unconditionally, both tremendous works of art and a symbol of pure dedication to God. They depict St Sava, St. Basil and scenes from the life of Christ and religious holidays.
- On the way back to Podgorica, passing through valleys of vineyards, we cannot help paying a visit to one of the local wineries. Rich soils and mild climate made this region perfect for winemaking, so get ready to taste indigenous wine flavours and simply relax with a glass of wine somewhere amid Montenegrin countryside.
- Meals: Breakfast
|
DAY 5: Full Day Cetinje and Lipa Cave
- A few know that Montenegro has its secondary capital. Not only had the town of Cetinje been the historic capital of Montenegro for centuries, but the official residence of the President and some ministries are situated there now. With its almost 600-year-old history, Cetinje is abounding with historic charm. Once the smallest European capital, the breath of the past is felt in its narrow streets and miniature buildings. One of them is the Vlach church of the 15th century, named after the Vlach peoples who helped to build this chapel.
- Then we visit Cetinje Serbian Orthodox monastery. Its building of white stone fascinates us with one of the richest collections of Orthodox relics on the Balkans and the iconostasis, carved of wood. A visit to King Nikola Palace, which is a museum now, will reveal you one of the most unknown royal dynasties in Europe.
- Afterwards we offer you to visit another planet. At least, this is the official motto of Lipa cave that promises otherworldly cave passages to explore. Opened for the public in 2015 only, the cave is a rising star among must-have destinations in Montenegro. On a special train we take a brief scenic ride to the cave, where we enter the underworld. We immerse ourselves in a kingdom of quirky stone formations, flickering lights and mysteriously dripping water.
- Meals: Breakfast
|
DAY 6: Full Day Kotor and Perast
- Today we are exploring the world-famous Bay of Kotor. This unique fjord is hemmed in by cliffs, rippling gulfs and sparkling straits, so you will definitely fall in love with this gorgeous place.
- Region of Kotor is praised by UNESCO because of its harmonious blend of fortifications, palaces and monastic ensembles with the landscape on the slopes of high rocky hills.
- Our first destination is the medieval town of Kotor. Its impregnable Great Wall of Europe encloses not just the old town, but also the mountain towering above. Centuries back, not only did Kotor residents work on strengthening the walls, but also sought protection from higher forces. As a result, St. Tryphon church, built in honor of Sveti Trifun, the patron of the town, is considered to be the most beautiful in Montenegro. We also pay our attention to the Romanesque St Luke Church and the Renaissance clock tower in the main square of the city, which were built under the Venetian rule.
- Scenic road leads us to Perast. This place of Baroque touch amazes us with a contrast between its size and a number of heritage pieces a couple of narrow streets are rich with dozens of palaces and churches. Here we have some free time to wander the town on your own.
- Optionally, we recommend you to do a boat trip to the Our Lady of Rocks church. It is situated on a man made island around the rock where Madonna image appeared to a sailor. On this site, in the Middle Ages the island was erected and the magnificent church was built. Pilgrims of locals and tourists support the tradition to strengthen the island by throwing stones into the water around.
- Meals: Breakfast
|
DAY 7: Skadar Lake National Park, Stari Bar and Bar
- Today we kept something special for you. We are going to explore a secret natural wonder of Europe Skadar lake. The lake is neatly spilled around the mountains and shared by Montenegro and Albania. It is the biggest lake of Southern Europe and one of the most pristine ecosystems in Europe.
- We come to Virpazar, the gates to Skadar Lake National Park. It is a tiny fishing village of 300 inhabitants, with a small fortress and breathtaking views around. Here we take a refreshing boat tour through the wetlands. Imagine how you are gliding through floodplains and water lily pads, admiring wildlife and emerald green landscapes. This place is a real paradise for various bird species, so they are going to be our top hosts.
- After the blissful escape to nature, we go on further in the province - to the villages of Bars. They are not famous with its nightlife, as you might think, but rather with history, natural beauty and tranquil ambience. Stari Bar, or Old Bar, was almost destroyed by a war between Montenegro and Turkey in the 19th century, and the earthquake impaired the town even more. We take a walk through its half-ruined/half-restored fortress, passing by time-worn stone houses and catching a view of the impressive Ottoman aqueduct. New Bar complements our tour with coastal promenades and one of the oldest olive trees in the world, which is said to be around 2000 years old.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 8: Departure
- Today our itinerary comes to the end. You spent your time eventfully, discovered culture of the country and will keep these emotions for your lifetime.
- Transfer to airport for your departure flight.
- Meal: Breakfast
 
|