Montenegro is called the pearl of the Mediterranean and perhaps not without reason. Situated south of the Adriatic Sea, it is one of the southernmost European states. This is one country which, despite its size, packs in a variety of geographical landscapes. From beautiful clear lakes to glistening beaches and gushing rivers to stunning mountains, you can find them all in this small country. Everyone should take the opportunity to visit Montenegro and explore the countries rich natural beauty, stay in one of the many traditional Montenegro hotels and immerse yourself in Montenegrin culture and hospitality.
On the map, Montenegro is located in the heart of Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It is 1500 km from Paris and Berlin, 500 km from Rome, and about 200 km west of Moscow. Montenegro borders Serbia and Albania on one side, where it has high peaks which lead to a segment of Karst in the western Balkan Peninsula. This leads to a narrow six kilometre coastal plain. These plains stop suddenly in the north and this is where Mount Lovćen and Mount Orjen also plunge abruptly into the Bay of Kotor.
The various geographical formations are so close that you can wake up to breakfast at the pretty Adriatic coast, have lunch at the banks of Skadar Lake and take for an evening walk in the environs of the Montenegrin Mountains. You can hardly get such a variety of experiences anywhere else in the world in one day. A Montenego tour will enchant you as you explore the diverse landscapes and historical regions.
Montenegro is the perfect holiday destination for many reasons. It has unique traditions, culture and history which make it interesting and offer a multitude of exciting things to see & do across the region. It is also blessed with salubrious weather, clean air and beautiful natural landscapes. Choose your hotel in Montenegro based on its proximity to the many Montenegrin highlights.
The country of Montenegro is one part Balkan and one part Mediterranean. The Mediterranean part is close to Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania and Italy. Make sure you take your camera and be trigger happy as any view you shoot will be breathtaking. Despite being small this country is endowed with plenty of contrasting natural forms.
The country of Montenegro is divided into 22 municipalities which can be classified into three main geographical regions.
The first is the coastal region, stretching along the 295 km long Montenegrin coast. This region draws the tourist crowds as it has several attractions such as several picturesque old towns, a long stretch of beach that goes on for 72 kilometres and several hotels.
The second region is the central region where the Zeta River Valley is located. This is also where the country's capital Podgorica is located.
The third region is the northern region which has some of the most beautiful natural formations in Montenegro. There are high mountains, which are dotted with clean and pristine lakes, and many rivers emanate from this region. In winter this is the place to visit to enjoy winter sports such as skiing - the there are a number of ski resorts in Montenegro. Take a skiing tour in Montenegro to explore the vast mountainous region is a great idea, and there are numerous Montenegro hotels in the region to make your stay comfortable. In summer, too, Montenegro can be enjoyed as the continental weather during the day time is ideal for swimming in rivers such as Lim or in lakes such as Pesica, Plavsko and Siska. The evenings have bracing weather, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Some of the most rugged terrain of Europe can be found in the mountains of Montenegro. The average height of these mountains is more than 2,000 metres (6,560 ft). One of the important peaks in this region is the Bobotov Kuk peak located in the Durmitor Mountains, which has an elevation of 2,522 metres (8,274 ft). It is believed that the Montenegrin mountain ranges are those parts of the Balkan Peninsula that were eroded by ice during the last glacial period.
The country also has several National Parks. They are Lake Scutari, which has an area of 64 km² (25 sq miles); Lovćen with an area of 64 km² (25 sq miles); Biogradska Gora, which has an area of 54 km² (21 sq miles); Durmitor with an area of 390 km² (150 sq miles); and Biogradska Gora, which has an area of 54 km² (21 sq miles).
Montenegro also has two sites that are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely, Durmitor and Tara River Canyon, an old city of Kotor. The country also has historical and cultural sites from Gothic, Baroque and pre-Romanesque periods. There are some significant religious monuments in the Montenegrin coastal regions, which include the Basilica of St. Luke; Our Lady of the Rocks or Gospa od Škrpjela as it is locally known; the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in Kotor (also known as Cattaro under the Venetians);and the Savina Monastery. The medieval monasteries in Montenegro are also beautiful and are decorated with frescoes that span thousands of square metres. Transport in Montenegro is wide and varied meaning the tourist attractions in Montenegro are easy to reach and taking yourself on a self-guided tour of Montenegro easy to accomplish.
Montenegro also has a traditional dance known as Oro. It is basically a circle dance and involves dancers who stand on one another's shoulders and form a circle. They encircle one or two dancers who dance in the middle. Experience the traditional dance while enjoying a meal in one of Montenegro's traditional restaurants before heading out to explore the happening Montenegrin nightlife.
