Montenegro, a tiny country perfectly formed, where wild mountains backdrop lush Adriatic waters, where superb five-star properties and superyacht marines keep opening. Great things come in small packages and we can see Montenegro quickly becoming Europe’s trendiest beach destination.
It’s no longer a hidden gem but it’s not yet dominated by tourism, in contrast to neighbouring Croatia. Montenegro is authentic and many people don’t appreciate what it has to offer. Here is a long weekend itinerary we just created for a client travelling to Montenegro in June 2022.
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Day 1 – Easy Introductions
A sun-drenched winery converted from an 18th-century monastery. Old vines. Views onto the Adriatic. Touring the vineyard and wine production. No, we’re not in Italy. Montenegro also does wine and Savina is a beautiful place to start your weekend indulgence.
So where to stay? Well, One&Only’s first ever European property is in Montenegro, that’s our favourite. Nikki Beach is best for a younger crowd. There’s a Chedi in Lustica Bay, plus the entry-level five-star Regent and Grand Iberostar Presat. Aman Sveti Stefan, is the country’s original and most famous five star, a fortified private islet. All but Nikki Beach also have great restaurants and we know a couple of hidden local restaurants for a romantic first dinner.
Tivat International Airport is the best entry point. You can also fly to Dubrovnik and make use of a helicopter transfer service to your hotel.
Day 2 – Adriatic Cruising
A charming day cruising the Adriatic in a Frauscher speed boat, past fishermen villages and rocky island outcrops. Admire how mountains hang so high above the coast, as you cruise to Lady of the Rock island, Perast and the small hamlet of Rose. From Perast you can detour by road to Kotor, Montenegro’s World Heritage city.
There’s plenty of Champagne on board but the day is mostly about solitude and tranquility, plus dining on fresh seafood in an old fisher captain’s house in Rose. Montenegro faces west so it’s sunset all the way back to the hotel.
Day 3 – Unique Montenegro
A day of eating and drinking, in Montenegro’s traditional places. Pass rocky villages, taste at genuine gastro villages, then meet a local family and their organic extra virgin olive oil production.
Then be welcomed by the designated host of Klinci village, who will show off his churches before you toast with local rajika. A typical Lustica lunch follows, with artisanal goat cheese, prosciutto, honey, olives, risotto and lots of cake. After yesterday’s views from the water, today is all about open vistas from the mountains and peninsula.
Day 4 – Departure
Okay, time to leave. But what about rafting in the world’s second deepest canyon? How about the ancient caravan route across Ottoman bridges to medieval monasteries? Or a helicopter to the fairytale Skadar Lake? Or chartering a superyacht and dropping anchor on an uninhibited part of the coast?
Swap in any of those and more experiences into your itinerary. But hey you can stay for longer as well. Or come back again. Montenegro isn’t just for a single weekend, you’ll soon see for yourself.
