Montenegro

Archaeology,   Photography,  

The Republic of Montenegro - is something of an anomaly. It lies in Europe, a short flight away, yet to most people it is a mystery; a country about which almost nothing is known. It lies on the coast of the Adriatic, next door to the much better known Croatia. Indeed, arguably the easiest access is via the Croatian airport of Dubrovnik, a short drive from the border. Montenegro is the newest fully recognised country in the world, having split from Serbia and declared its independence in June 2006.

Few of its towns and cities mean much to the outside world. The capital, Podgorica, and the other major town, Cetinje, are little heard of and yet this is a country of superlatives. The geography, for example, is one of extremes. Mountains lie near the borders with Serbia and Kosovo, whilst a narrow coastal plain lies along part of the short strip of Adriatic coast. Lets look at some of the geographical detail: Montenegro's  mountains - with an average altitude of 6000 feet and Bobotov Kok some 8,274 feet - are amongst the most rugged on the planet. Whilst inland, Lake Skardar is the largest lake in Europe. The Tara River Canyon is the deepest and longest in Europe (and inevitably dubbed 'Europe's Grand Canyon'). The forests that cover about half of the country include Biogradska Gora, regarded as the last virgin forest in Europe. If you want beaches there are about one hundred and seventeen of them squeezed into a short stretch of coastline. Adjacent to that coastline is the Bay of Kotor, as dramatic a meeting of sea and mountain as you could wish for. This small country truly has a terrain of superlatives.

Set amongst this landscape are four national parks, whilst the country also boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Durmitor, the Tara River Canyon, and the old city of Kotor, situated on the bay of the same name.

The dramatic scenery described above attracts our PHOTOGRAPHY groups, whilst the medieval monasteries and the old cities appeal to our ARCHAEOLOGY groups. Such a little known country with so much to offer.

We have over 60 years experience in worldwide group travel. If we've whet your appetite, and you would like to make an enquiry, please contact us on 0208 504 2672