Travelling to Montenegro

Skadar Lake National Park views from Pavlova strana point.

Travelling to Montenegro - Skadar Lake National Park views from Pavlova strana point.

 And then God created Montenegro: An introduction to world`s best kept secret.

St Stephen island is one of the most picturesque places in Budva seaside, Photo by Pixabay.

St Stephen island is one of the most picturesque places in Budva seaside, Photo by Pixabay.

How would you describe Montenegro? 

This young European country is a land of sunshine. There is a saying often being used by all Montenegrins, "Nidje nebo nije plavo kao iznad Crne Gore." And the translation goes: In no country is the sky so blue as in Montenegro. You can easily guess it – We take pride in our country and we absolutely love it!

Set on a beautiful Mediterranean sea, crossed by pure rivers and marked by deep and transparent lakes, creased by deep canyons and vast valleys, relic caves, virgin forests, medieval villages and towns, ancient cities, age-worn churches, Montenegro has it all.

Imagine a country where it takes you one hour from the capital, Podgorica, where we are located, to get to the mountains with an altitude of 950 m, a half an hour to the biggest lake in Balkans, and one hour to get to the long sandy beaches with turquoise waters.

hidden beache of Montenegro with flowers

Adriatic sea: Meditteranean flare at one of the hidden beaches of Montenegro.

Where exactly is this tiny Balkan country?

Montenegro is located in South Eastern Europe. Its coastline of 294 kms is in the southwest, on the Adriatic Sea, just across Italy. Montenegro borders with Croatia in the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the northwest, Serbia in the northeast, Kosovo in the east and Albania in the southeast.

MONTENEGRO-borders

What kind of republic is Montenegro?

Montenegro is a parliamentary republic with a President, who is elected directly by the people and serves as the head of state.

Flag of Montenegro

Flag of Montenegro

What is the capital of Montenegro?

The capital and the largest city of Montenegro is Podgorica. According to the 2011 census; 185,937 people live inside the city and its surroundings. Many travelers choose Podgorica as their starting point of their holidays in Montenegro, however, the coast and the mountains are an excellent choice.

The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica, city of five rivers and many parks. River Moraca flows through the very center of the city.

The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica, city of five rivers and many parks. River Moraca flows through the very center of the city.

Cetinje, one of the most amazing old cities, with history and culture bursting around every corner is the old royal capital.                                

How did Montenegro get its name?

Montenegro means Black Mountains. There are many legends of how did Montenegro get its name, and you can read about some of them on our website or hear them from your personal travel designers and tour guides, but ultimately it is because of the dark forests and mountains that cover 80% of Montenegro.

The first thing that the sailors arriving in the Bay of Kotor saw were mountains, and dark woods covering the mountains, hence the name, Montenegro,

The first thing that the sailors arriving in the Bay of Kotor saw were mountains, and dark woods covering the mountains, hence the name, Montenegro,

Are there national parks in Montenegro?

Yes! We pride ourselves with having the most beautiful nature in the world. There are 5 national parks in Montenegro.

Lovcen National Park, one of the five national parks in Montenegro.

Lovcen National Park, one of the five national parks in Montenegro.

What are the highest peaks in Montenegro?

About 60% of the land is located at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), and the highest peak is Zla (Evil) Kolata at 2,534 metres (8,313 feet) Dobra (Good)  Kolata at 2,528 metres (8,293 feet) in Prokletije (The damned mountains). The name describes the cruelty of these mountains and the hard life of those who live in their vicinity. The third highest peak is Bobotov Kuk in the beautiful Durmitor mountain at an altitude of 2.523m.

Untouched nature of Prokletije National Park in Montenegro.

Untouched nature of Prokletije National Park in Montenegro.

What can I expect to see on the coast of Montenegro?

The coast of Montenegro is 294 kms long (183 miles).  The coast is diverse in its appearance. From the Boka Bay – a true wonder of nature, to rocky beaches, hidden coves, sandy beaches, whitewashed pebble beaches to beautiful bays and islands.

 
Isand of St. Stephen is one of the most beautiful spots in Montenegrin coast.

Isand of St. Stephen is one of the most beautiful spots in Montenegrin coast.

 

What is the most picturesque place along the Montenegrin coast?

It`s very difficult to pick one. However, the biggest impression, the most striking feature of the coast of Montenegro, according to our guests is the Bay of Kotor. The Bay of Kotor is often considered to be "Europe's Southernmost Fjord," even though it has nothing to do with fiords, except its appearance.

Did you know? This magnificent bay is in fact a submerged (flooded) river canyon which was flooded by the sea and the Bokelj River, which ran from the heights of Mount Orjen, and now lies submerged along the ocean depths.

The Bay of Kotor is surrounded by mountains up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft), which are almost vertically immersed in the sea. The photos do not do justice to the Bay of Kotor, you have to see it with your own eyes!

 
Magnificent Kotor Bay.

Magnificent Kotor Bay.

 

 A short history of Montenegro?

The name Montenegro began to be used in the 15th century, when the Crnojevic dynasty began its rule in Zeta (formerly Montenegro). At the end of the 15th century, Zeta became more known as Montenegro. It was succeeded by theocratic Montenegro and the Ottoman rule. Yet, over the centuries, Montenegro has managed to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire.

From 16th to 19th century, Montenegro became the theocracy ruled by rulers and princes. The Berlin Congress in 1878. has officially recognized the independence of de facto sovereign states of Montenegro, Serbia and Romania, as the 27th, 28th, and 29th free countries of the world.

After the First World War, Montenegro joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. At the end of the Second World War it became the constitutive republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After the fall of this country in 1992, Montenegro united with Serbia, first in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and later in 2003, in the loose community of Serbia and Montenegro.

When did Montenegro become independent?

In May 21 2006, Montenegro called for its right provided for by the Serbian and Montenegrin Constitutional Charter to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. Voices for the end of the community with Serbia exceeded 55% - the census that the EU defined - which allowed Montenegro to formally declare independence on June 3, 2006. From 2006, Montenegro is an independent country.

Throughout centuries, Lovcen is the symbol of Montenegrin independence.

Throughout centuries, Lovcen is the symbol of Montenegrin independence.

Go now before everyone else does.

Holidays in Montenegro FAQ

Do I need a travel visa for my trip to Montenegro?

Visa entry requirements differ from country to country, and are dependent on your nationality.

We will happily check with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see if you need a visa or not, however, obtaining a visa for your travel is your responsibility, and the cost of a travel visa is not included in the price of your trip.

Please contact us if you require any supporting documentation or information in obtaining your visa. Also, have in mind that some visas can takes weeks to procure.

You can check here about all the information on visas, and we will help with anything else you might require, just contact us.

What should I pack?

Each season (or tour) will require a different packing list. We will specify everything upon your booking.

Is airfare included in the trip price?

Flights (international) are not included in the tour prices, however, we can help you with booking the flights as well. 

What are the departure dates for the tours on the website?

There are no set departure dates for our tours because every tour is private, which means you  can depart on whatever day you wish. With very rare exception, every single trip on our website can depart on any day from May to October.

Are these group tours?

We do not sell group tours. When we say our tours are private, that is exactly what we mean: the only travelers on your trip are you and the companions with whom you choose to travel. In case you choose our already crafted tours, the itinerary doesn’t  have to be fixed, and no list of sights must be seen in a given day. You could alter a tour by telling us what exactly you want from your day. Touring is flexible and can be modified each day to suit your interests or energy level.

Can the tours on your website be altered?

Our already crafted tours are intended to serve as a "starting point" for the trip you ultimately end up taking. These suggested itineraries are based on our own expertise and experience. While it's fine to decide to take a trip exactly as it appears on our website, most of our clients prefer to work with us to create an itinerary that meets their schedule, interests, and budget.

Do I need travel insurance for my trip?

Yes. It is mandatory for all passengers travelling with us to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy, and we will be requesting your policy number prior to departure. If you do not have a policy number upon embarking on your tour, we have the right to remove you from the trip. At a minimum, your policy must cover medical costs in case of hospitalization, and emergency travel repatriation.

Is Caeli right for me?

Caeli welcomes all travelers, but not tourists, with the majority of our travelers falling within the age range of 25+.

  • Our tours are private.

  • Our tours are tailor made, unless you book one of our amazing tours

  • We are LGBTQ friendly.

  • We encourage solo travelers; you will make long-lasting friendships on our tours.

  • We thrive on a mix of activities that get us into nature, immerse you into the local culture, teach you about the lifestyle of Montenegrins, help you have incredible adventures, or just allow you to lay on the beach with a mojito in one hand.

  • We love trying local food. 

  • We love meeting local people. 

  • We support local businesses.

  • We aim to leave green footprints in Montenegro. 

  • Our clients are those who are looking to get safely off the beaten path.

 
Boat trip in Montenegro is always a good idea!

Boat trip in Montenegro is always a good idea!

 

Montenegro is maybe not (yet) the no. 1 top tourist destination in Europe, but if you choose to visit it once, there is no question that you will fall in love in this gorgeous country and friendly Montenegrin people. Holidays in Montenegro are full of wonders to be discovered.

There is so much to see and explore in Montenegro that every time you visit this wonderful country you will discover something new – a hidden gem which can be observed only while walking the streets of Montenegrin towns, hiking the majestic mountains or swimming in clear Adriatic sea waters. So if you are planning your first trip to this destination, check out the our private tours in Montenegro. You will learn everything important, have fun and enjoy this country's way of life.

If you have Any other questions please feel free to contact us on our email, or fill the contact form.