MONTENEGRO & THE ADRIATIC COAST
Montenegro, little known and less visited, is situated on the southern Balkan peninsula. The republic’s jagged coastline is dotted with secluded coves and its forested mountains – some of the most rugged in Europe – are pierced by river gorges and deep valleys. These natural wonders, which include the continent’s southern-most fjord, give shelter to fortified cities, frescoed monasteries and enchanting coastal towns.
Budva is one of the oldest settlements on the Mediterranean. The town’s sinuous streets, tiny squares and 15th century fortifications all bear witness to the powerful influence of Venetian rule. At the tip of the deep, craggy – and stunning – Bay of Kotor lies the Adriatic city of Kotor, an important artistic and commercial centre in the Middle Ages with its own schools of masonry and iconography. The significance of Cetinje, at the foot of Mt Lov´cen, is political rather than artistic: in 1878, when Montenegro was officially recognised as an independent state, Cetinje became Europe’s smallest capital, complete with an architecturally eclectic mix of foreign embassies and royal palaces.
The fortified city of Ulcinj, extending along the coast in the shape of a drawn bow, revels in a mélange of architectural influences – Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. After the Venetians departed in 1571, the Ottoman Turks constructed a number of grand mosques, including the Pasha Mosque that now houses a fine museum.
Montenegro’s Orthodox tradition is yet more impressive: we will visit a number of monastic communities, notably white-walled Ostrog, a 17th century sanctuary built into caves high above the Zeta Valley. Nearly two dozen monasteries and churches are scattered across the islands of Lake Skadar, a huge fresh-water lake that is also home to Europe’s sole colony of pelicans!
In Budva we stay at the three-star Hotel Sajo, a small, privately-run residence a short walk from the beach (double bedded or sole occupancy rooms only), before moving to the Hotel Podgorica. Our final night is spent in the attractive harbour town of Cavtat at the four-star Hotel Croatia.
This tour will be led by the writer and architectural historian Mark Powell, BA, FRGS. Mark studied languages and art at Durham University, the Ruskin Art School and St John’s College, Oxford.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart Gatwick 0910 on British Airways for Dubrovnik, arriving 1255. Transfer to Hotel Sajo, Budva, for seven nights.
Day 2Budva: old town, fortress walls, 7th century church of St Ivan (work by Venetian artists), archaeological museum.
Day 3Whole-day excursion to monasteries of Podostrog and Podmaine (18th century frescoes, Greek iconostasis) and Sveti Stefan (picturesque fortified isthmus).
Day 4Whole-day excursion along coast to fortified city of Ulcinj (museum, St Nicholas Cathedral, Pasha Mosque), Bar (remnants of 6th century church and royal palace), Stari Bar on slopes of Mt Rumija (ruined walled city), Petrovac (fishing village with 16th century Venetian fort).
Day 5Whole-day excursion to former capital of Cetinje: embassies, State Museum (former palace), art gallery.
Day 6Whole-day excursion to Bay of Kotor: picturesque mediaeval town of Kotor (city walls, 12th century Romanesque Cathedral of St Tryphon), port of Perast (Baroque palaces and magnificent mansions), boat excursion to beautiful small islands of St George and Lady of the Rock.
Day 7Whole-day excursion by boat to Virpazar on Lake Skadar (largest lake in Balkans): major bird sanctuary, churches, monasteries.
Day 8Transfer to Podgorica for three nights at Hotel Podgorica. Historic Podgorica (capital of Montenegro): Petrovic Palace (art gallery and museum), Dajbabe (cave monastery) and Medun (mediaeval fortifications).
Day 9Frescoed monastery of Moraca in Kolasin (centre of National Park renowned for virgin forests) followed by further time in historic Podgorica.
Day 10Whole-day excursion to Piva Monastery (17th century frescoes, treasury), Niksic, Ostrog Monastery (cave church relics, wall paintings).
Day 11Via Bay of Kotor and mediaeval town of Herzog Novi to Hotel Croatia, Cavtat (Croatia), for overnight.
Day 12Depart Dubrovnik 1425, arriving Gatwick 1610.
Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a double bedded room, breakfast & dinner, excursions & admissions.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £410.
