Lake Skadar comprises 400km² of paddling perfection. Imagine Como or Constance a century ago, and you pretty much have it. In fact, you do pretty much have it - to yourself, with a few traditional fishing boats, a nun going past on a motor boat, en route from one of the island convents which, with a guide, you can stop at to buy honey and other baked goodies, if you are in the know. Otherwise this is a lake where nothing much happens except bees buzzing, fish jumping, birds tweeting and everyone chilling. The water is usually so calm, it creates the perfect reflection for the Prokletije or ‘Cursed Mountains’ all around it. The sea kayaking on the Bay of Kotor is also a Montenegrin marvel, paddling along this this giant fjord like inlet which is 28km long from its opening into the Adriatic Sea to the harbour. There are also over 100km of shoreline, all enveloped by the Orjen Mountains to the west, and the Lovcen mountains to the east, keeping those winds at bay. Or not at bay, as the case might be.

Montenegro’s coastline is something else, and cycling is one of the best things to do in Montenegro, with routes taking you along some of the Mediterranean’s most stunning coves and cliff top views. Including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bay of Kotor. It’s not all coastal cycling here though, with opportunities to bike around the shoreline of Lake Skadar, the biggest in the Balkans, or up into one of the five mountainous national parks for some challenging climbs.

Montenegro’s relief map looks like it was designed by children intent on creating a magical obstacle course. Where nothing is too far, the peaks are not so outrageous that they can’t be summited, and there is always water to jump into at regular intervals. However, even though there are five national parks in Montenegro, they are not up there with the likes of USA or France in terms of signage, so local knowledge is good. For pointing out the best farm to stop at for home produced wine and cheese en route. Or the best secret waterfall to seek out for a secret skinny dip. Whether you are trekking up with other pilgrims to the mausoleum on Mount Lovcen, along the undulating shores of Lake Skadar, or up among the heights of the Tara River Canyon, you will be stunned into silence by its beauty, and wonder how it has still managed to remain so elusive to other tourists.

Montenegro is a like a play which has all its drama and excitement packed into one short act. It may be tiny but there is no shortage of adventurous things to do in Montenegro. Just pick ‘n mix. Go hiking in the mountains in the morning, swim in a coastal village in the afternoon, and still have time for a nap. Go white water rafting in Durmitor National Park’s Tara River one day and hiking around it’s Black Lake the next. It’s go go go in Montenegro.