Montenegro Self Drive 2 - Highlights Route

Tivat - Budva - Kolasin - Durmitor - Kotor

Summary

A shortish holiday exploring Montenegro using direct flights to Tivat; split your time between the coast and the fabulous mountains and national parks.

START / FINISH - Tivat (or Podgorica)

Activity code: MOFDO2

Duration: 10 Days

A self-drive tour of Montenegro's "Highlights" in just ten days. On this holiday you can explore the Durmitor National Park and the Tara Canyon, the two lake-based National Parks - Biogradsko and Plav (Prokletije); the Adriatic coast around Budva and the spectacular scenery of the Bay of Kotor.

Your exploration begins straight away as you can get your hire car directly at the airport and then you are free to enjoy the open coast road almost immediately, either around the bay to Kotor or south to Budva. After this brief stay at the coast you can begin your adventure into the mountains of Montenegro, although we recommend a visit en route to southern Europe's largest lake, Skadar.

Whilst travelling around inland Montenegro you will encounter forests, gorges, lakes, stunning views, traditional rural landscapes, monasteries, quiet roads and a friendly and diverse people in locations such as Kolasin, Plav and Mojkovac. There's a lovely drive along the Tara river valley all the way to the Durmitor National Park where we recommend staying in the smal town of Zabljak. You have an impressive choice of things to do whilst in this northern region of the country - take a walk around the beautiful, pristine Black Lake, head to the nearby peaks or why not consider a simply incredible and unique experience at the Tara Canyon - the "hands free" zip-wire ride 130m above the gorge.

On your way back to the coast you will drive along peaceful roads up and down to Niksic which is where you could detour to visit the famous Ostrog Monastery. More choices at this stage between the Zeta Valley to Podgorica and Cetinje or the route up past Lake Slano almost into Bosnia and then down to the Bay of Kotor at Risan. Whichever way you travel we feel that the best finale to this holiday is a few nights in Kotor where you can relax, enjoy some activities and sightseeing without your car.

Important Information

Flights available to book with us through a range of airlines, from various UK airports to Montenegro. If we book your flights this means that your holiday will also be fully ATOL protected.

Prices shown are a guideline "from" (in UK Pounds) and are based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. Single supplements may need to be applied to the twin/double price and discounts for children (under 12yrs) and/or a 3rd adult sharing a room are available upon request. Quoted prices for individual enquiries will depend upon your chosen accommodation, room availability and dates of travel. We always aim to match a high quality experience with exceptional value for money. Discounts will apply if there are 3 or more people in your travelling party as fixed costs such as transportation and guides will be shared equally between the group.

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Based upon 2 persons travelling.

Prices from £609 per person

What's included in your Fly-Drive holiday?

  • Private airport transfer(s).
  • 9 nights accommodation on B&B
  • 8/9 days fully-inclusive car hire.
  • Fully detailed itinerary with driving directions and sighteeing ideas
  • FREE travel app with all your documents, maps, weather & much more
  • All taxes
  • Full 24hr representative services.

Highlights

Itinerary

Arrive into Tivat and take your hire car directly from airport; a short drive along the pretty coast to the resort of Budva. Balance of day to explore old town on foot and relax at the beach.

Day 2 - morning in Budva. You then have some choices for this section of your holiday; these include the ancient capital of Cetinje and the Lovcen National Park, Sveti Stefan and Bar along the coast and inland to the fascinating Lake Skadar (Skadarsko Jezero) National Park.

  • Option 1: stay in Ulcinj (or Bar) along the southern coastline.
  • Option 2: stay on the shore of Lake Skadar.

Day 3 - free day to enjoy time in your choice of location above. Explore Ulcinj's old town and the countryside near the Albanian border OR explore Lake Skadar, on foot, by car or by boat. There are many villages on the southern shore of Lake Skadar offering wine tasting and great local produce.

 

Day 4 - head north inland climbing up alongside the Moraca valley to the stunning Crkvine pass en route to Kolasin. If you are coming from Ulcinj you may like to stop at Lake Skadar en route and from Skadar you could consider a brief visit to the capital, Podgorica.

Day 5 - you then have one full day to explore the Biogradsko National Park and enjoy the pretty town of Kolasin. You can also consider a drive east over the beautiful Tresnjevik Pass heading towards the Kosovo/Albania border region to the Prokletije National Park and Lake Plav. If you wanted more time here we can add an extra night or two for some fishing on the lake or to head off for a hike in the "Accursed Mountains" via the village of Gusinje.

Day 6 - drive northwest through traditional rural scenes of Montenegro visiting the small monasteries such as Djurdjevi Stupovi and Dobrilovina en route to the Tara river valley which begins at Mojkovac. Along the way you will see the famous Tara Canyon where you may wish to take the fabulous zip-wire. From here continue up to Zabljak in the heart of the Durmitor National Park for a couple of days.

Day 7 - there is so much to do here so we suggest considering an extra day to combine some independent exploration, such as a walk around the stunning Black Lake, with perhaps some organised activities, such as rafting on the Tara river or the incredible zip-wire ride across the deep gorge at Tara Most.

Day 8 - a choice of routes south to reach the coast at Kotor; all options begin with the road south to Niksic and then you can travel either south east via the Ostrog Monastery and Podgorica to Cetinje and Lovcen National Park or southwest along the shorter route over the mountains to Perast and directly to the Bay of Kotor (this may depend upon your choices from Day 2).

Day 9 - a full day to enjoy the old town of Kotor and a possible attempt at the Kotor "staircase" up to the fortress. We can collect the car from you as you won't need it whilst in Kotor town but you may wish to keep it for one last drive around the incredible Bay of Kotor.

Drop off car or private transfer to Tivat airport for flight home.

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Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Travel Knowledge

  • We have all travelled extensively and will be happy to share our experiences.
  • Personally-chosen hotels, riads, guest houses & apartments in places we know and love.
  • Individual sightseeing recommendations and route planning.
  • Add excursions, activities and food & wine experiences (one of our passions).

Why book a Fly Drive ?

  • Accommodation choices are small, independent or family-run properties which add significantly to your travel experience.
  • Stress-free arrival & departure transfer service.
  • Detailed driving directions, parking info, suggested routes & sightseeing ideas.
  • Fully protected for your peace of mind & financial security.