Overview
August 21 - 26, 2023
This tour can be done alone or added as a PRE tour to the August Cruise to Croatia
Come Explore this hidden Gem of Europe and learn about why Montenegro is reveling in the spotlight as a New tourist destination. The people here are candid, warm and charming. Unlike in many other emerging destinations, they welcome you as friends and are happy to embrace you as a visitor not a tourist.
Just Bordering Croatia to the North it is not even 300km from top to bottom but Montenegro's coastline offers some of Europe’s most spectacular seaside scenery. Mountains peak sharply from crystal-clear waters offering a splendid view from Sea to Mountain. Ancient walled towns cling to the rocks and the water like as if they popped out of a story book.
Ever since the Roman Empire split in two 1600 years ago, Montenegro has sat on the borderline between east and west. The richness of its cultural history can be seen in the mosaic floors of Roman villas, flamboyantly painted Orthodox monasteries, ornate Catholic churches, elegant minarets of mosques, and the fortresses built over these lands. Then there's the legacy of 50 years as a non-aligned communist state, independent of both the Eastern Bloc and the West. For those with even a passing interest in European history, it's a fascinating place.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Monday August 21, 2023: Arrival into Dubrovnik, Croatia
Arrive into Dubrovnik (DBV) and transfer to your hotel. Centrally located in town you will be able to walk to most key sites in the city. Enjoy the day at your leisure to explore the city and its wonderful history.
Hotel TBA for 1 night.
DAY 2: Tuesday August 22: MONTENEGRO - CETINJE - BUDVA
After breakfast will board our private vehicle and be transferred from our hotel in Dubrovnik to Budva, Montenegro. You will start your tour with a drive through the Bay of Kotor to Cetinje – old Capital of Montenegro where the most exciting part of the drive is a climb to Mt. Lovcen (Montenegro Mt. Olympus) by the old winding mountain road (25 serpentine's) with breathtaking views at the mountain-encircled, fjord-like Bay of Kotor (photo-stop). En route, we stop in the village of Njegusi to have a snack with an old Slavic drink mead (honey-wine) or beer/wine at the oldest inn in Montenegro. After a presentation of the making of their famous prosciutto with local brandy, we continue our journey to Cetinje – the historic capital of Montenegro – city of museums. Enjoy a tour of Cetinje starting with the National Museum - former royal palace of King Nikolas I. Free time for optional visit to the Monastery of Cetinje or some of the other museums of Cetinje or stroll through the streets of this historic place. Continue our trip driving through Mt. Lovcen (“The old Montenegro”).
Arrive in Budva and check into the hotel. Late afternoon a walking tour of the old town of Budva a lovely town, one of the oldest towns on Adriatic.
Welcome Dinner at the hotel. 5* Hotel Budva for 2 nights (B, snack, D)
DAY 3: Wednesday August 23: WINE ROUTES OF MONTENEGRO and SKADAR LAKE TOUR
Today will start our visit to the wine area by visiting the most beautiful part of the Budva Riviera. Well visit the island hotel Sveti (St.) Stefan and former Royal Villa and Park, Milocer. Sv. Stefan - a 15th century village. Its buildings were turned into a unique upscale hotel during the Tito regime, and became an exclusive resort frequented by the rich and famous. It was refurbished in 2009. The villa Milocer (former Royal summer palace) is surrounded by a beautiful park. We continue our journey across mountain (photo-stops) to Skadar Lake area – “the wine country of Montenegro” You will visit two of the wineries of Montenegro as we journey to Cemovsko Field, part of the Zeta Plains. Up until the 1970s the Field was a wasteland, but it has been turned into the biggest vineyard in Europe with "Vranac" grapes. Europe’s largest and most beautiful vineyard, “Plantaze” was raised covering 2,250 hectares, with 11 million vine plants. We will visit a unique wine cellar built in a huge old underground air force hangar and taste some of the best wines. We continue our tour with a winemaker lunch and wine tasting at one of the best private wineries of Montenegro - “Zenta”. After lunch drive along Skadar Lake and through the mountains of Montenegro to Perast.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Perast. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: Thursday August 24: BUDVA – LUSTICA (OLD MILL – FARM)
Today you will have a free morning to relax or have some optional tours.
Early afternoon we drive to the nearby Porto Montenegro & Lustica peninsula. Will stop en route at Porto Montenegro to visit this magnificent modern, deluxe mega-yachts marina – the resort of “rich & famous”. Walk around or have a coffee in one of many cafes watching magnificent mega-yachts. Continue to a century's old farmhouse: “Stari mlin” (Old Mill) - in a small village called Zabrdje, on the Lustica peninsula. At the altitude of 250 meters there is a family property with unique a type of an old mill used for grinding olives to produce original cold pressed, virgin Olive oil. The family is engaged in olive growing and offers the possibility of walking through the old olive-grove. You can also enjoy the view of Riviera of Herceg - Novi from the stone threshing floor. You will have dinner here enjoying the local food with wine. When you taste the organic olive oil, home-made prosciutto and cheese prepared in olive oil and cooked meat - you will fully experience the unique Montenegrin tradition. During dinner enjoy a concert of the local folk dances and music – you may join to learn Montenegrin dance.
4* Hotel Conte for 2 nights (B, D)
DAY 5: Friday August 25: Perast - CRUISE THE BAY OF KOTOR
Free morning to explore Perast and enjoy a specific charm of this old Baroque town.
There are very few places to be compared with the natural beauties of the Bay of Kotor, very often compared to the Norwegian fjords. Today, we explore ‘our’ Bay by motor coach and boat. First we will cross by boat to the islet called “Gospa od Skrpjela” (Our Lady of the Rocks) – The ‘Sistine Chapel of Montenegro’ due to its ceiling and walls painted by the famous local Baroque painter Tripo Kokolja. Return to Perast and drive along the gulf coast through numerous small towns and villages, to visit Porto Montenegro located in the town of Tivat. This lovely town melds a spectacular destination with a world class marina and services. After our visit to Porto Montenegro, will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Kotor is famous for. Its nautical tradition and the famous merchant nave of Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor). We will have a Guided Walking Tour of the old town, including a visit to the tenth Century Cathedral of St. Tryphon, or Nautical Museum. After the tour you are free to wander the town or climb the magnificent city wall with its fantastic vistas, before grabbing a bite of lunch on your own.
Late afternoon return to Perast.
Enjoy Dinner at a private home specially prepared by the top culinary expert in Montenegro. After dinner you will return by boat to your hotel in Perast. (B, D)
Day 6: Saturday August 26: Transfer to Dubrovnik - Begin the Croatia
After breakfast depart for the drive to Dubrovnik and you will be taken to the boat to begin the cruise of Croatia.
You will be dropped off at the boat with your luggage and then you will have the day at leisure to explore the city of Dubrovnik on your own.
There will be a Captains welcome dinner tonight at 7:30 PM on the boat. (B, D)
Tour Details
Cost: $1299.00 per person based on double occupancy, (Roommates can be provided)
Single Supplement: $490.00
Deposit $500.00
Booking/final payment due 60 days prior to departure
Included:
- 5 Nights Accommodation
- Meals as indicated B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
- Deluxe private van/minibus transfers throughout
- All excursions and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking guide and private driver
- All entrance fees – as per itinerary
- All hotel and local taxes
- Airport arrival transfers Dubrovnik
Not Included:
- International airfare. We can arrange airfare for you
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Guide/driver gratuities
- Additional tours or activities not listed
FAQ
Entry Requirements: Visitors from the US, Canada and Australia need a valid passport, Visas are not required for Americans, Canadians or Australians visiting for less than 3 months. If you are a citizen of another E.U. country, you do not need a passport, only an identity card. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you intend to leave the European Union. Make sure you check your passport expiry date at least 2 months prior to travel. Before traveling abroad it's a good idea to make two photocopies of your passport, driver's license and credit cards. Leave one copy at home with a friend or family member and another bring with you.
Time Zone: Montenegro is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time in the United States. Like many European countries, Montenegro has daylight savings time which lasts from late March to late September.
Weather: Montenegro has a fairly continental climate, which becomes more Mediterranean the closer you get to the Adriatic Sea. August is a sunny month with 14 hours of daylight. It is the Summer season and rainfalls are low. People flock to the city during this month to enjoy the summery weather and the world-famous cultural event, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. With very warm temperatures and long hours of daylight it is essential that you make sure to drink enough water, wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun to avoid the heat. Temperatures range from the mid to high 80's for the day. Evenings cool a bit with the low to mid 60's.
Currency: The National Currency is the Euro. Foreign currency can be exchanged at post offices, banks, and exchange offices. Some hotels and travel agencies also will exchange currency, but beware of the service charges, which can be as high as 3% - 5%. Airports usually charge the highest fees. The best way to get cash in the local currency is from an ATM. Keep in mind that most banks impose a fee every time a card is used at another bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions ($5 or more) so try and withdraw as few times as possible. Credit cards are accepted by most shops and restaurants however check with your credit card company regarding foreign exchange fees. You will also have a better chance making deals at local shops if paying with cash.
Electricity: Voltage in Croatia is 230 volts AC and the plug is a typical European plug type F with two round prongs.
Taxes/VAT: As a member of the European Union, Montenegro imposes a 21% value-added tax on most goods and services. The VAT is already included in the displayed price. Visitors from outside the EU can get a VAT tax refund at the airport when departing. The VAT refunds are not made for services. To get a VAT refund on purchases that qualify, present your passport to the salesperson and ask for the special stamped form. Present the form with your purchases at the booth marked IVA Tax Refunds at the airport, as you leave EU. Your refund should arrive by check or be credited to your credit card within a few weeks.
Health: No vaccines are required to enter Montenegro.
Activity level: Medium: During the Montenegro Tour at each stop you will be walking quite a bit. To be able to fully enjoy the tour and participate in scheduled activities, you need to be able to walk, at a leisurely pace, up to 3 or so miles on some days, many times this is on cobbled streets and uneven surfaces. You should be able to stand unassisted for up to 30 minutes at times during the tours. You will need be able to climb stairs, get on and off the boat, without any assistance. At times you will need manage your own luggage. This trip is pretty easy for the average person however if you can't or choose not to participate in certain activities this is at your own discretion. However, it cannot affect the groups participation nor can any tours or activities or refunds be offered or changed due to an individual not being able or not wanting to participate.
