Activity holiday in Montenegro

Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Activity holiday in Montenegro
Our bestselling Montenegro holiday is run by a family who have made it their home. They know every inch of the beautiful Lake Skadar countryside and will introduce you to secret beaches, hidden waterfalls and the best village vineyards.
Lake Skadar National Park Kayaking on Lake Skadar Vineyard tours Waterfall walk in Walnut Valley Wild swimming Hike to Upper Godinje Free day to explore the coast Hike to Žabljak Crnojevici
Price
£745To£845 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Duration
7 Days
Type
Small group
Group size
2-14 people
Reviews
103
More info
Lowest price for April/October departures.
Price is per person & includes: 7 nights at Villa Miela, 4 guided activity days, welcome dinner, bike rental & some lunches.
Price depends on season & group size.
10% discount for u-14s.
Min age 6.
Offers
Amazing £200pp discount for departures on 18th and 25th June! (Uk-Montenegro return flights from only £160pp on Ryan and Wizz Air)
Make enquiry

Find related holidays

European activity holidays Activity centre holidays Montenegro holidays European family holidays Small group activity holidays

Description of Activity holiday in Montenegro

This week-long activity holiday in Montenegro takes you into the picture perfect surrounds of Lake Skadar National Park where secret beaches, fascinating pools and breathtaking scenery provide the backdrop to a week of hosted activities at our beautiful farmhouse.

This renovated farmhouse is the ideal base from where to undertake an activity holiday in Montenegro with views over Virpazar village on the edge of Lake Skadar certain to give you plenty of chances to relax with a glass or two of the local red wine.

If you’re looking to spend less time in the car and more time by the lake then the farmhouse allows you to do just that with enough space to accommodate 10 guests within four bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, so everyone can make the most of their own activity holiday in Montenegro.

Further facilities in the converted farmhouse include communal open plan kitchen, living room and a spacious terrace area with yoga deck, swimming pool, sun loungers and gas barbecue to complement some wonderful lake and valley views as well as access to an organic fruit orchard featuring figs, walnuts and cherries.

Free bikes and WiFi is another bonus with opportunities to kayak and swim on the lake and hike in the surrounding karst landscapes certain to tick all the right boxes on an activity holiday in Montenegro.

Lake Skadar is an incredibly natural setting with shaded shores and wetland areas inviting an array of animals, including hundreds of bird species such as rare Dalmatian pelicans. Exploring around the lake will take you to small fishing communities, dripping caves and cascading waterfalls whereas kayak trips on the water present blankets of water lilies en-route to island monasteries and protected nature reserves.

In total this activity holiday in Montenegro has four days of activities that are organised under the watchful tutelage of your expert hosts who are also the owners of the accommodation. Activities can include kayaking, wine tasting, wild swimming, caving, canyoning, fishing and birdwatching as well as the chance to go on a sunset yacht cruise around Kotor Bay.

Check out the itinerary below or get in touch to tailor make your own activity holiday in Montenegro as there are so many things to do on and around Lake Skadar and we’re ready and waiting to help point you in the right direction.

Please note: May to October is the best time for an activity holiday in Montenegro and we do expect all of our participating guests to have a reasonable level of fitness. Podgorica airport is just 30mins' drive; Tivat airport is just over an hour’s drive; Dubrovnik is about two and a half hours from Lake Skadar. Pickups and transfers can be made upon request.

Map

Price information

£745To£845 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Lowest price for April/October departures.
Price is per person & includes: 7 nights at Villa Miela, 4 guided activity days, welcome dinner, bike rental & some lunches.
Price depends on season & group size.
10% discount for u-14s.
Min age 6.
Make enquiry

Check dates

2023: 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 25 Jun, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct
2024: 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 21 Apr, 28 Apr, 5 May, 12 May, 19 May, 26 May, 2 Jun, 9 Jun, 16 Jun, 23 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 21 Jul, 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 1 Sep, 8 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct

Leader interview

“The scenery around Lake Skadar is on a par with what I have seen in Africa or in Asia.”
Learn more about this itinerary in Responsible Travel's interview with Emma Heywood, a tour leader on this tripRead full interview

Travel guides

Montenegro family
2 minute summaryBest time to go
Montenegro multi activity
2 minute summaryMap & highlights
Montenegro is gaining a reputation as an adventure sports hotspot. Unlike neighbouring Croatia, with its miles of shoreline and thousands of islands, ...

Holiday information

Our top tip:
Don’t even think about buying bottled water. Bring a refillable. The mountains are brimming with purest spring water.
Trip type:
Small group, max 10 people.
Activity level:
Easy-moderate. Very adaptable.
Accomm:
Renovated traditional farmhouse. Terrace with plunge pool/hottub.
Included:
Self-catering accommodation, one dinner, some lunches, 4 activities, bikes.
Meals:
Artisan producers & local restaurants.
Solos:
Solos welcome. Surcharge for own room.

Reviews

103 Reviews of Activity holiday in Montenegro

4.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed on 14 May 2023 by

5 ***** Read full review

Reviewed on 02 Oct 2022 by

Very enjoyable. We felt it well organised. The welcome meal was lovely and it was good of Ben to give up his time to arrange this. Read full review

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2022 by

This holiday was exceptional. I am so grateful for the friends, the ease and joy it brought us and we really cannot wait to take another adventure with them. Utterly brilliant!!!! Read full review

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2022 by

A+ Read full review

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2022 by

It was just great. We had some real adventures, made a couple of good friends along the way, and we all agreed it was one of our very best family holidays. Read full review

Reviewed on 01 Aug 2022 by

Excellent - Best Yet A+++++. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2022 by

Fabulous – great combination of enjoyable activities at a pace to suit our group. Read full review

Reviewed on 30 May 2022 by

An amazing time exploring the beautiful countries of Montenegro and Albania Read full review

Reviewed on 18 Sep 2022 by

Very good...The meal at Tanya’s was the best part. Read full review

Reviewed on 09 Jul 2022 by

Beautiful location, expertly guided, stunning accommodations. Read full review

Reviewed on 08 May 2022 by

4 star Read full review

Reviewed on 08 Aug 2021 by

Brilliant. 5 stars Read full review

Reviewed on 09 Sep 2020 by

We cannot recommend it highly enough. It was all amazing. For a start the nature and the beautiful surroundings were so unspoilt. There was not a monoculture in site and so many beekeepers. The weather was great. We did lots of hiking and wild swimming galore. Read full review

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2019 by

The whole week was memorable! Fantastic holiday for young and old! Read full review

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2019 by

Fantastic! It was a great experience. Read full review

Reviewed on 16 Sep 2019 by

5***** Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2019 by

I really don't know what I would pick as the most memorable part, every day was so much fun. The holiday offered the perfect mix of varied activities and relaxing in fabulous surroundings. Ben and Emma were the perfect hosts and guides! Read full review

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2019 by

My highlights were visiting the beautiful waterfalls and hidden spots in nature, the children loved the wild swimming and jumping off rocks. Read full review

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2019 by

Everything was brilliant. We loved all the activities, our children would say the best thing was all the jumping into water during the walking, kayaking, boat trip etc. Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2019 by

The most memorable part of the holiday was kayaking on Lake Skadar, with serene views to the mountains of Albania and visiting the island monasteries. Also great company of others in the group. Read full review

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2019 by

Really enjoyable family time that gave us structure to our days and gave us access to things you wouldn’t normally find as a visitor Read full review

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2019 by

So many memorable things including hiking through the woods, up the mountain to another beautiful location for lunch with a wonderful panorama of the mountains Read full review

Reviewed on 02 Jul 2019 by

The most memorable part of the holiday was swimming in many of the beautiful rivers of this beautiful country and seeing the huge number of wildflowers, butterflies, birds, reptiles and lots more. And going to sleep to the sounds of nightingale and nightjars calling. Read full review

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2019 by

The beautiful landscape and friendly people were memorable Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2019 by

All of the activities were memorable but particularly kayaking through the peaceful channels and lily covered waters of Lake Skadar to see the breeding colony of Dalmatian Pelicans. Read full review

Reviewed on 09 Jun 2019 by

Our whole holiday was fantastic. We loved the variety of the activity days, the hosts were amazing and so knowledgeable about the area and the local people. Read full review

Reviewed on 30 May 2019 by

This holiday has been absolutely amazing. If you love exploring the outdoors and are willing to give everything a go, this is the holiday to go on. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2019 by

We loved being taken to places that Ben and Emma clearly felt very passionate about. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2019 by

Going swimming in the rivers and kayaking were the most memorable parts of the holiday. Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2018 by

The whole holiday was great, the right amount of relaxation and activities. There are a couple of days off for you to organise your own activity, exploration or if the weathers great, there is a pool at the villa. Overall a great holiday and a beautiful country and people. Read full review

Reviewed on 01 Oct 2018 by

It was all fantastic - the wine tasting was just superb, kayaking most enjoyable and the fisherman's lunch delicious. Being given Rakija to taste from a couple's "Stil" at the roadside on the way to Tania's amazing lunch was extremely memorable! Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Sep 2018 by

Every day provided something special. The scenery everywhere we visited and travelled through is stunning. Discovering and then jumping into beautiful, hidden pools and rivers, whilst on wonderful day hikes, were a joy. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2018 by

Beautiful country, fabulous hosts, fauna & flora, food & wine, culture, history and good paced activities for various ages & abilities = recipe for excellence Read full review

Reviewed on 13 Sep 2018 by

Fantastic. We just could not have arranged all this ourselves! Read full review

Reviewed on 08 Sep 2018 by

This was one of our best holidays ever. The surroundings were utterly beautiful, the activities were amazing and our hosts made everything work seamlessly. Read full review

Reviewed on 08 Sep 2018 by

Fantastic. We got so much more out our trip by having such knowledgeable guides and went to places that most tourists wouldn’t have access to. The age range on this holiday was 8 to 58 and I think everyone loved it. Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Aug 2018 by

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best holiday we have ever been on and wish we had been able to stay longer. The area around Lake Skadar is amazingly beautiful and we are already missing the view from our balcony. Read full review

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2018 by

If you are looking for an activity holiday that is for families with children, solo travellers, couples or friends then this is the one for you! Read full review

Reviewed on 08 Jul 2018 by

We feel so lucky that our first group holiday experience was so good. There was just the right balance between guided sessions and free time. The other guests were lovely too! We'd highly recommend this holiday to anyone! Read full review

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2018 by

I loved the wild swimming in beautiful pools and waterfalls, especially after walking on rocky paths in hot sun! The water was icy but very refreshing. And I had never been in a kayak before, and it was lovely to be on the lake. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Jun 2018 by

10 / 10 would go again. The hosts are the most wonderful people who I very much hope to meet again in the future. They'll provide you with a selection of varied activities, and perfect holiday! Read full review

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2018 by

The most highlight was the beautiful landscapes and thoughtfully crafted & enjoyable activities. Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Aug 2018 by

The holiday was...Great Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Sep 2017 by

The kayaking trip around Lake Skadar was beautiful and due to tandem kayaks, hilarious! Read full review

Reviewed on 22 Sep 2017 by

This was a fantastic holiday with many memorable moments! We loved the beautiful scenery; the walking, wild swimming and kayaking. It was wonderful to be somewhere so peaceful and so stunningly beautiful and to be able to experience the country with such dedicated and enthusiastic people. Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2017 by

Being in an amazing part of the world, with a group of like-minded people, hiking through woods, wild water swimming, swimming in a waterfall, visiting an island monastery. My son and daughter both loved the off-road trip with the land rover, jumping from a village bridge into a river, seeing Golden Orioles and Hoopooes was another highlight. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2017 by

The memorable parts were hiking, wild swimming and kayaking. And seeing bats! Read full review

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2017 by

The kayaking trip across the lake. The stunning views over glass like water were fantastic. Not to mention the wonderful lunch half way through to give us the energy we needed to get back! Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Jul 2017 by

I loved the kayaking trip and all the wild swimming. The lakes and the plunge pools were all so beautiful. Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Jul 2017 by

This holiday was made especially special by the warmth, enthusiasm and local knowledge of Ben and Emma. Their choice of itineraries are varied and fun, from kayaking to hiking. My son even got to drive their defender (magic moment for him!), while I saw lesser horseshoe bats in the most beautiful setting! Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2017 by

AMAZING!!!....it was the best holiday I've ever been on! We loved the activities, the sense of being off the beaten track, the hikes, the jumping into waterfalls and rivers, the people - Ben & Emma are brilliant hosts; the local food and wine from local families/producers is incredible. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2017 by

Stunning scenery and wildflowers, so unexpectedly green end of May. Kayaking on the stunning Lake Skadar, almost had the lake to ourselves. Hiking through the hills, jumping in refreshing water pools. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2017 by

The gorgeous unspoilt landscape. A fantastic opportunity to relax, explore, play, savour,enjoy and learn in Montenegro. Read full review

Reviewed on 14 May 2017 by

The most memorable was the views. Amazing Emma and Ben do amazing job. Read full review

Reviewed on 01 May 2017 by

Kayaking through the paths on the stunningly beautiful Lake Skarda. Wonderful trip. Read full review

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2017 by

Kayaking and eating local food was memorable. Read full review

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2017 by

Too many memorable parts. The whole holiday was a great experience. The hosts, Ben and Emma were excellent. Very friendly and with incredible local knowledge on just about anything we asked them. A most memorable holiday. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Sep 2016 by

We were the only tourists we saw all week, apart from a day we went to the coast which wasn't arranged by the hosts we were taken to hidden gems all week long, we would never have discovered these places without our fantastic hosts. Read full review

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2016 by

Montenegro is only 3 hours away from UK and yet a world apart It gave our children a distinct feeling that they had gone further off the beaten track than we had seeing new animals and having exciting experiences the views of mountains and lakes at various times of the day were never something we stopped loving looking at . Read full review

Reviewed on 07 Aug 2016 by

I loved the opportunity for wild swimming in Lake Skadar and surrounding rivers in the area. The National Park is outstandingly beautiful, and at times we felt like the only people there. Read full review

Reviewed on 07 Aug 2016 by

There were so many highlights of the holiday: the breath-taking scenery around Lake Skadar which is totally unspoilt and so truly spectacular (a boat trip is highly recommended); all of the guided activities ‘off the beaten track’ with Ben and Emma (including hill walking, kayaking, swimming in secluded rivers and pools; rock scrambling to the bat cave – particularly enjoyed by our 12 year old son. Read full review

Reviewed on 02 Aug 2016 by

We loved it. We were just the right kind of busy and were taken on some truly memorable trips, it was quite a privilege to be part of it. I'm not reborn, but this was one of the better holidays that I've been on. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2016 by

Brilliant holiday -Bens local knowledge and contacts brings extra dimensions to the holiday that no Hotel or Commercial Travel Agency could ever start to replicate. Read full review

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2016 by

Best bit: Going to find the Pelicans, we kayaked to a secret location and found over 80 Pelicans flying, swimming and resting. Read full review

Reviewed on 25 Apr 2016 by

Best bit: Variety of activities (never bored) Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Oct 2016 by

The holiday definitely benefited local people, respecting the environment of the beautiful Lake Skadar National Park. Equally importantly, it benefited us as well: this experience enriched us both beyond words. Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Sep 2016 by

Without Emma and Ben's enthusiastic and knowledgeable input we feel sure we could not have experienced and enjoyed Montenegro as fully as we did. Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Sep 2016 by

My 7 and 9 year old loved it and so if you are are wondering if the trip is appropriate for children then let me say a definite YES IT IS! Read full review

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2016 by

Lived up to all expectations. We've done a few activity weeks and this was certainly one of the best Read full review

Reviewed on 04 Aug 2016 by

marvellous. A real privilege to gain an insight into a country that might be inaccessible to me as an independent traveller. Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2016 by

Great, very enjoyable, it was so calm and peaceful around the lake you felt miles away from everything else and the activities were very manageable making it a lovely relaxing holiday. Read full review

Reviewed on 07 Sep 2015 by

Difficult to pick one [best bit] from a week of fabulous experiences. Lake Skada is stunningly beautiful, Villa Miele is very comfortable, the hiking and kayaking are both great and over a week you get to really experience the area through the eyes of people who know and love it. It is a fantastic holiday. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2015 by

Everytime you thought you'd seen the best Emma or Ben managed to show us something even more jaw droppingly beautiful. Every day was different, from the amazing wild life and birds, to the glorious hidden water pools high in the hills, to the monasteries in the lake, this holiday had everything. Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Jul 2015 by

This holiday has got it all. If you love nature in all it's aspects and you love to put your own effort into getting to know the scenery, this is your holiday! Read full review

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2015 by

It was all exciting Read full review

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2015 by

Excellent, would certainly recommend. Montenegro is a stunning country. Jaw dropping views at every turn. Read full review

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2014 by

The trips took us to amazing places we would never have found on our own and we saw and did things we haven't done before. A fab trip. Read full review

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2014 by

The best holiday we've had for quite a while. Montenegro is a beautiful country, well worth exploring, Read full review

Reviewed on 08 Oct 2014 by

Top marks and I hope Ben & Emma who clearly have a long term plan are successful....The whole experience was fabulous. The highlight was spotting a Horned Viper whilst out on a trek with Emma ! Read full review

Reviewed on 28 Sep 2014 by

Excellent!....We had a beautifully sunny day - perfect for kayaking! We did a 8km kayak on Lake Skadar and had a lovely lunch with a couple of trips to the lake Monasteries. Read full review

Reviewed on 19 Sep 2014 by

A fantastic holiday, great scenery, very nice excursions, great food (try the fried carp!). Read full review

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2014 by

The area was completely unspoiled by tourism and very beautiful. If you love exercise and doing things together as a family you cannot go wrong with this holiday. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Aug 2014 by

The most memorable part was the hike through Walnut Valley! The views were absolutely breath taking and the hike through the forest was really something special - the hiking trail is a bit of a secret so it was really of the beaten track - the road less travelled, so to speak. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Aug 2014 by

Everything was excellent! The countryside is beautiful, I really enjoyed all our activities. Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Aug 2014 by

Most memorable were the stunning views and unspoilt scenery...This is a great experience. Ben and Emma go out of their way to ensure the holiday is as good as it can be. Highly recommended. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 May 2014 by

Something that will stay with me always was the silence, peace and tranquillity whilst kayaking around Lake Skadar, as well as the stunning landscape of the area. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 May 2014 by

Environment was covered with green different shade and no concrete around. Swimming in the river and fall was a dream come true. Read full review

Reviewed on 01 May 2014 by

We had a great time. Perfect activities for families with teenagers and a beautiful setting. It's also great to be somewhere that's such good value for money. Read full review

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2013 by

Fabulous scenery: Beautiful, lush mountainscapes and the wonderful Lake Skadar and its setting. So picturesque that, from the photos, it almost looks unreal. Read full review

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2013 by

Excellent....the accommodation was lovely and we felt that we got privileged access to genuinely unknown parts of Montenegro. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Aug 2013 by

Hard to praise it enough. It kept three teenagers completely happy which is no mean feat. It was beautiful, active, very comfortable and highly informative - what more could you want? Read full review

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2013 by

Fabulous...The location, visiting areas where only the locals know. Ben and Emma's knowledge of the area, their obvious love of nature and Montenegro made this a really memorable holiday. Read full review

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2013 by

Brilliant!!....It's adventurous AND do-able! Ben is encouraging and flexible. There's also plenty of time to relax in the sun. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2013 by

Active, at times challenging and consequently one of the best experiences we have had as a family. With Ben and Emma in the background, you always feel that you are in safe hands. Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2013 by

There are so many good things... Being taken to heart by the local family we were staying with... Wild swimming in rivers and waterfalls... Delicious organic food. Read full review

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2013 by

A fantastic active holiday. The days sped by but it felt like we had been on vacation for weeks! Ben and Emma were great hosts who did everything to make your stay enjoyable and unique. Go there before the crowds catch on to what they are missing. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2013 by

An excellent holiday, a good mix of activity and relaxation...The whole trip was fabulous. Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Jul 2013 by

Excellent. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone that is looking for an active holiday, stunning scenery and great fun. Your hosts will go out of their way to ensure you have a great time. Read full review

Reviewed on 04 Jul 2013 by

Lake Skadar and Montenegro are really beautiful and it was lovely to be out and about there in beautiful surroundings. Ben and Emma were great hosts Read full review

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2013 by

It was much better than I expected. I had a blast with the travel agent and the other people who joined. The country I never thought of visiting before has become one of my favorites. Read full review

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2013 by

We had a very interesting and varied week; just what we like when we go away. It was a good mixture of structure and freedom, activity and local culture. Read full review

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2013 by

All I expected and more. Outstanding...The whole thingwas memorable... jumping under waterfalls, kayaking to island monasteries, hiking up hills, eating amazing food with local families, Local wine tasting... Read full review

Reviewed on 21 May 2013 by

The holiday was fantastic...It is hard to choose our favourite moment. Between the two of us, it is jumping off the Kayaks for a gorgeous swim in the really warm lake Skadar. There are moments, even in the middle of the day, when the lake is a giant mirror, because there are no boats or traffic. We also loved visiting the various islands and meeting resident Monks and Nuns. Read full review

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.

Planet

We want our holidays to be high impact in experience but low impact on the environment! Once you are at the farmhouse, transport will be mostly on foot, kayak or bike, with car transfers provided to starting points for excursions or restaurants if needed.

Lake Skadar is a National Park and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. As such, our tour guides will ensure you pay all relevant National Park fees and encourage you to behave in an eco-friendly manner at all times by supporting the Leave No Trace principles –travelling on marked paths, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find (unless it’s other people’s rubbish!), respecting wildlife and being considerate of other visitors and the local community.

We are committed to local conservation projects and have contributed actively as well as financially to local initiatives, most notably a CZIP (Montenegrin RSPB) project to help repair and maintain nesting rafts for the local, endangered Dalmatian Pelican colony. As the leading sustainable tour operator in the country, it is up to us to lead by example, protecting the National Parks from over-development and ensuring their beauty can be enjoyed by the next generation.

Your accommodation also respects the environment. With metre-thick stone walls, built before air-conditioning was invented as the traditional Mediterranean way of keeping cool, air-conditioning is neither needed, nor provided. Instead, electric fans are available for occasional use if the naturally cool interior needs a little help in the hottest weeks. To keep emissions down, guests are asked to turn off all electric fans/lights on leaving the room. Guests are also requested to keep water use to a minimum, especially important during the dry summer months. The village has no mains water connection and the farmhouse water reservoir, fed by mountain-spring, needs careful management during the long dry summer.

People

We've built strong links with local communities at Lake Skadar and support their maintenance of historic traditions, from bee-keeping, fishing and carp-smoking to the making of wine, cheese, olive-oil and flavoured brandies. By visiting home-producers and buying their wares, you will build pride, contribute to the local economy and encourage the development of and investment in sustainable agro-tourism. Along the way, you'll meet local people like Ivo Ukšanovic and his wife Radmila who produce award-winning wine, just 1000 barrels a year, using traditional techniques and no artificial additives. English isn’t widely spoken around the lake, but your guides will be able to translate to make each interaction memorable and meaningful for you and your host community. Your visit, and National Park fees, really count in a remote, beautiful and unknown Balkan destination which is still suffering from decades of impoverishment caused by urban migration and the 1990s Yugoslavian war.

Every year we are actively involved in clean-up operations both on the lake and in the National Park at large. We have campaigned for and obtained several large refuse containers for villages that had previously had no way to dispose of their garbage, and every spring we help to clear hiking trails so that remote villages can also benefit from the growing tourism industry.

Your accommodation has also been sensitively restored to conserve an example of traditional local architecture, drawing praise from the local community (and many visitors!). Historic features have been preserved, such as the solid stone archway in the "konoba" (ground floor), once used for storing wine and smoking hams and carp, or the tiny original windows which help maintain a naturally cool interior. As the first such renovation in the area, it is hoped that the Villa will encourage more regeneration along these lines and deter less scrupulous investors from knocking down such buildings and replacing them with cheaper concrete structures.

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