Things to do in Montenegro

Lake Skadar comprises 400km² of paddling perfection. Imagine Como or Constance a century ago, and you pretty much have it. In fact, you do pretty much have it - to yourself, with a few traditional fishing boats, a nun going past on a motor boat, en route from one of the island convents which, with a guide, you can stop at to buy honey and other baked goodies, if you are in the know. Otherwise this is a lake where nothing much happens except bees buzzing, fish jumping, birds tweeting and everyone chilling. The water is usually so calm, it creates the perfect reflection for the Prokletije or ‘Cursed Mountains’ all around it. The sea kayaking on the Bay of Kotor is also a Montenegrin marvel, paddling along this this giant fjord like inlet which is 28km long from its opening into the Adriatic Sea to the harbour. There are also over 100km of shoreline, all enveloped by the Orjen Mountains to the west, and the Lovcen mountains to the east, keeping those winds at bay. Or not at bay, as the case might be.

Montenegro’s relief map looks like it was designed by children intent on creating a magical obstacle course. Where nothing is too far, the peaks are not so outrageous that they can’t be summited, and there is always water to jump into at regular intervals. However, even though there are five national parks in Montenegro, they are not up there with the likes of USA or France in terms of signage, so local knowledge is good. For pointing out the best farm to stop at for home produced wine and cheese en route. Or the best secret waterfall to seek out for a secret skinny dip. Whether you are trekking up with other pilgrims to the mausoleum on Mount Lovcen, along the undulating shores of Lake Skadar, or up among the heights of the Tara River Canyon, you will be stunned into silence by its beauty, and wonder how it has still managed to remain so elusive to other tourists.