Explore Undiscovered Montenegro
Our Community Manager, Ani, has just returned from her trip to Montenegro and judging from the photos it looks simply gorgeous.
Stunning is the only word that comes close to describing Montenegro. A country that despite its small size, houses so many pretty landscapes, from rugged, towering mountains to clear waters. Add to this its amazing and kind people, and the good and hearty food, and it is all you need for a perfect trip. It was love at first sight for me.
In spite of its breathtaking beauty and affordable prices, Montenegro has managed to escape the touristic radar of many, except the local Balkan visitors of course. To a large extent, I was very grateful for the lack of booming tourism. I would recommend traveling there in late May / June or the early autumn, when you are sure to escape the “crowded” summer months.
Here are my top picks when traveling in Montenegro:
Kotor Bay - breathtaking to say the least. The small villages dotting the bay coastline, the yachts flowing in and out, the beautiful mountains - it just has to be experienced! Pretty Budva, with its nice beaches, old town and famous nightlife, is the definite and the most popular, hence crowded, star of the Adriatic coast. However if you are in for a more idyllic time I would recommend staying in one of the small towns of the Kotor Bay, especially Perast or Kotor.
Kotor has a very charming old town that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a good place to base yourself for exploring the coastal area. Rent a car, it’s quite cheap and make sure to drive around. There are some amazing drives waiting for you, such as a 30-hairpin ride to Lovcen National Park or a very idyllic ride among olive groves and beautiful views of the bay to Luštica Peninsula.
Ostrog Monastery - during my travels I have visited many monasteries carved in the rock, I come from Armenia, a land famous for such monasteries, and I must admit Ostrog was quite impressive. A snow-white structure perched 900 m high up an almost vertical rock, you got to give credit. It is a very important religious site for the Orthodox Christians around the world. The drive up to the monastery is amazing in itself, with beautiful views of the mountains and the valley down making sure your adrenalin level is kept at high. Besides the religious value of the monastery, the view opening from its upper terrace was unbeatable.
Njeguš - During your gastronomic adventures in the country, you will often come across a famous item on the menu, called Njeguški prsut, which means Njeguški ham. It tastes similar, in my opinion better, to prosciutto. It is delicious, and comes from this little village. On your way to Ostrog make sure to stop at Njeguš village to taste the prsut.
Durmitor National Park - the second part of our trip was spent hiking in the beautiful mountain range of Montenegro, Durmitor, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Žabljak town makes for a great base for exploring this area. The hiking trails are well marked and color-dotted based on the level of difficulty. There are a few pretty lakes in the area and camping sites.
Tara Canyon - this natural wonder with its turquoise water is just mesmerizing. It is the second deepest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. It is famous among the lovers of rafting, so let your adventurous spirit loose and enjoy the experience!
Montenegro now has a very special place in my heart. Travel there before it becomes the next Croatia.
You can check out and save Ani's Montenegro collection on Everplaces. Collections are a great way to share your favourite places on Everplaces, or create mini-guides for visiting friends & family.
ESCAPE LONDON FOR A WEEKEND
A countryside break in Southwest England - The New Forest
Guest post by Hannah Maxwell, travel passionista and writer
I love London, it’s exciting, vibrant, challenging and all consuming. However, to appreciate all its facets and personalities sometimes a weekend escape allows time to breathe and gain a new perspective on it all. Nothing is easier or better for this than the great British countryside.
The New Forest is like entering the days of Robin Hood, wild ponies roam the mass of forest and wide expanses of moors come complete with purple heather and yellow gorse. Its a complete escape that takes me from heels to wellies and ensures me returning to London with rosy cheeks and fresh air in my lungs. It’s an easy area to get to either a couple of hours drive down the M3 or the train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst (1 hour 32 minutes) or the National Express coach from Victoria to Ringwood.
The new ‘country-set’ is a world away from the stuffy image of yesteryear. The Pig epitomises this casual country cool with deep overstuffed sofas in front of roaring fires and terraces with an outdoor oven for home baked flat bread in the summer months. I love the feeling of being in a wealthy friends country house…special food and surroundings but cosy and laid back enough to kick your shoes off and take a nap by the fire! They can arrange fly fishing days or spa treatments.
The nearby town of Lymington is perfect for a wander, there are various markets and I enjoy seeing the the sail boats bobbing on the water along the marina. If you’ve got good sea legs you could head out sailing yourself. I like being immersed in the local culture wherever I visit and local art reflects the life of an area. The Coastal Gallery shows the work of local artists and I defy you not to be swept away by the seascapes.
Lymington has a hidden gem - ’Graze’, where you could drop by for a drink and end up whiling away the rest of the day. Open from breakfast through the evening and specialising in small plates. There really is something for every taste on the menu- we delighted in the courgette fritters and lamb skewers and I found lots of options as a vegetarian. There is a friendly vibe and the candle light in the evenings reflects the warm glow of your countryside rosy cheeks.
Explore the history of the area with a visit to Highcliffe Castle. Feel like a Lord or Lady walking around this mansion from the 1830’s. As well as the architecture and history to take in, there are a number of exhibitions and concerts. Ensure you indulge in some traditional tea and scones in the tea rooms and burn it off with a turn around the gardens.
Photo credit: coastal-gallery.co.uk