Fitness Level

Fitness Level

Fitness Level

Montenegro is by no means the largest country we visit, but for cultural richness, historical depth and the sheer beauty of its natural environment and built heritage, it can proudly join the ranks of our Montenegro gulet cruise tours as an equal. Indeed, the concentration of memorable views and visits, sparkling waters and superb local dishes in such a relatively short coast makes for a remarkably rewarding experience. And this is a coast made for exploration by gulet: the seascapes are ethereally beautiful, strewn with islands and headlands that make for ever-changing views in addition to the remarkable fjord-like Bay of Kotor. There are beaches with jewel-like clear waters behind which are green wooded hills hemmed in by wonderfully atmospheric mountains; and here and there lie the intricate inlets where we can explore the interior, each hidings its wonders till the last concealing hills are passed.

The narrow margin of this coast has meant that a lot has happened in these mountain-fenced boundaries: history has had to be made and remade in the same places, giving Montenegro a profoundly multi-layered history, especially when one considers the places its coast gives access to: ships, traders and battle-fleets making their way to and from Greece and Italy and up and down the Adriatic have constantly made their way here: merchants, conquerors and pirates have made much of its history, and given us much to see.

This Montenegro gulet cruise will take you from the ancient Illyrians, one of the great peoples of the European Iron Age, whose raids assailed Macedonia and brought the Roman Republic to make her first intrusion into the Greek east, through the cities and villas of the Roman Empire and on into the medieval world. Here, mercantile city republics gave way to the unmistakable imprint of Venice on their heartbreakingly perfect walled cities, and then the overwhelming domination of the Ottomans. And all of these write their tale in the fabric of the country, in its towns and villages – and its food and wine.

From Kotor to Budva, and from Perast to Ulcinj and beyond, you’ll find intricate Roman mosaics, imposing Italianate palazzi and baroque churches here, Ottoman mosques and fountains there. There’ll be fabulous food in beloved family restaurants with sublime views, wine in wooded hills and views over expansive lakes filled with surpassingly varied birdlife. Once again, we bring you a trip that will bring you the finest vistas, the best of traditional, authentic cuisine and, of course, absorbing histories brilliantly told. You’ll spend a week with us exploring and a lifetime remembering.

Our Tours receive an average rating of 5 out of 5 from 941 reviews, according to AITO reviews.

Day 1: NB: The itinerary on this cruise is likely to change slightly according to the weather conditions. Some modifications regarding the order or days of crossings, or visits may occur.

Your gulet awaits you in Tivat marina, about 15 minutes from Tivat airport. Our welcome meal on board together.
Day 2: After breakfast we cruise to the beautiful walled Old Town of Budva, atmospherically huddled behind its defences on a little peninsula which keeps it at pristine arm’s-length from its modern successor. From the outside, a pretty church tower and the undulating rooflines overlapping and threading gives its wall circuit a warm, lived-in look, framed magnificently by a sweep of tree-swathed hills in a broad, sparkling bay. We enter to find fine Venetian streets, medieval churches and a museum which takes us back further to Roman Butua with charm-filled mosaics of sea creatures real and mythical – and beyond to Greeks and the powerful Illyrian peoples.

In the afternoon, we take a look at an even more secluded spot, the tiny walled town of Sveti Stefan set on a craggy islet at the end of a causeway, and seemingly designed to excite movie location planners. We end the day in one of the deep bays nearby, where boats seem to hover on invisible waters.
Day 3: We make the short drive to Virpazar for a trip on Skadar Lake. This remarkable place, a national park for decades, feels hidden from the world by expansive wetlands and the green ramparts of the Rumija mountains and other hills marching off till they become blue and distant. Secure in these lovely surroundings, it’s a home for a bird population of surpassing richness – one of the most varied in Europe. A more human, historically busier past is evidenced by the fortresses and monasteries which fringe the shore.

Driving into the hills, we find amid the woods, perched for a fine view of the lake, the village of Godinje, a network of houses in ancient stone, famed for its wine-making. Once we’ve explored, we discover first-hand why the wines are famous. We then head for lunch in the artfully-restored Ottoman fortress of Besac, nestling on a tree-clad ridge and whose architects were evidently also enchanted by views of the lake. We return to our boat in the afternoon and follow the coast southeast until a fine bay compels us to linger overnight.
Day 4: We visit Ulcinj, another artist-pleasing medieval walled town – and sometime pirate haven. Standing high over the turquoise waters behind sturdy, beetling walls, it retains an old feel - and a more Albanian-Ottoman one, with its many mosques, fountains and hammams. We explore the winding streets of the old town and the fortress, whose many possessors – Byzantines, Serbs, Venetians, Ottomans – show just how fine a location this is. Private access to museums taking us through the life of Ottoman beys and the corsairs of Ulcinj complete our story here. With a full morning behind us, we take a short drive to lunch crowned by an olive oil tasting. Afterwards, we are back on board to swim in another glorious bay before cruising north.
Day 5: The morning takes us into those alluring hills. A short drive and we’re at Stari (‘Old’) Bar, an aged town far from the world’s noise, circling a hilltop with its grey stone walls, sublimely-placed aqueduct and distinctive clock tower, its detachment emphasised by the heaping up behind of the heights of Mount Rumija. Deserted until recently, and parts still in aesthetically dishevelled or flower-carpeted ruin, there’s a sense of discovering a time-frozen place here. And one with the characteristic layers of history – Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Serb and Ottoman all play there part here, as does a hard-fought siege in 1878, which was the making of Montenegro. After lunch, we rejoin our vessel in pursuit of another of this coast’s inexhaustible supply of perfect bays in which to do as much nothing as we fancy while the views etch themselves into our memories.
Day 6: Our morning is spent winding our way through the Bay of Kotor, an intricate and questing route inland through stunning, fjord-like surroundings with time to swim or to just be awed by the glassy waterways, hidden inlets and the rampart-mountains that make so much of the coast here their precious green hem. We find our destination just in time for lunch, if that’s proved too taxingly wonderful, and it’s another special location that seems drawn from fantasy: the centuries-old mill at Ćatovića Mlini, lovingly-restored as a restaurant by a family who have lived here for generations.

In the afternoon we cruise to Risan, not far away at all at the other end of the sound. A well-protected harbour, it was ancient Illyrian Rhizon. Illyrian piracy brought on one of the earliest phases of Roman expansion, and in the imperial period that left a splendid villa for us to visit, with magnificently refined black-and-white mosaics still in situ. A further short journey takes us round the karst headland to Perast, a little slice of Venice with the inlet’s mouth wonderfully framed by twin islands with churches that contrast in style, but matched in prettiness. We admire the Italianate palazzi and baroque artistry of this unmissable town, and discover, in the Maritime Museum, its surprising former history as a potent naval power.
Day 7: It would be wrong to leave without paying court to the church-islets which have attracted our gaze so much, so we visit Gospa od Škrpjela, ‘Our Lady of the Rocks’, which so perfectly emphasises Perast’s embrace of the sea. Artificially created from ships laden with rocks and sunk, it’s given its divine appearance by a delicately refined church daintily surmounted by pastel blue domes.

After some more time spent enjoying the charms of the bays here, we make our way after lunch, to Kotor,
where we are met by breath-taking sights – built and natural - at every turn; a perfect crescendo for our trip. We explore its old town, abounding in Venetian influences and filled with churches, some frescoed in the Byzantine manner, others with the imprint of the medieval west or Baroque. It’s a vivid reminder of the many interlaced layers of Montenegro’s history. After enjoying its marvels we make our final journey to Tivat marina, allowing the views that have made this such a memorable week to recede in the sunset as we have our farewell dinner on board.
Day 8: Transfers to Tivat airport, about 15 minutes away.

I would like to book, what else do I need to know?

For information not covered below please refer to our FAQ’s or contact us directly on info@petersommer.com

Arrival Airport – Tivat (TIV)

Departure Airport – Tivat (TIV)

Arrival Location – Tivat Marina (approx. 15 mins from airport)

Departure Location – Tivat Marina (approx. 15 mins from airport)

Embarkation and departure is planned for approx.17:00. You are more than welcome to arrive earlier to drop off your bags, but please be aware that the crew will be busy cleaning and tidying making everything ready for your group so you will not be able to settle into your cabin.

If your travel plans or flights do not allow you to arrive before 17:00 we recommend arriving the day before the tour starts. This would also allow time to relax, recover from any jet lag and arrive at the boat on time for embarkation and departure.

If you arrive at the gulet after 17:00, we will do our best to enable you to join the tour at a later time and place.

Please Note: Departure time is subject to change depending on weather, harbour, or other conditions.

Disembarkation is at 09:00. We will arrange local transfers on the first and last day of the tour.

Booking Flights: The easiest way to get to and from the gulet is to fly to/from Tivat airport.

Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact the airline for exact details.

If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact our office for more details.

Travel Insurance:We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You should ensure that you take out a suitable policy, to make sure that your trip is properly covered.

Visas: Citizens of the U.K., EU countries, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to visit Montenegro. Visitors can visit Montenegro for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. For more details, please visit the website of Montenegro’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Custom tours or additional travel in Montenegro: If you are planning to spend any additional time in Montenegro before or after your gulet trip, we are happy to assist you either directly or via our trusted family-run partner local agency.

Tour Includes:
Full board accommodation with water, tea and coffee and wine with dinner
Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
Travel by private minibus
Harbour fees and crew services
All entrance fees and tips on land
The services of your expert tour leader throughout the entire trip
WiFi (coverage permitting)

Not included:
Flights and airport taxes
Visas
Travel insurance
Gratuities on the gulet. It is customary to tip the crew at the end of a tour (we recommend a minimum of 30Euro per day per guest)
Tips for guides

Mislav Files

We are delighted to welcome Mislav Fileš as a full-time member of the PST Team. A good number of you will already know Mislav, because he has been leading tours for us for the last 5 years – with stellar feedback. Mislav will continue to guide for us in Croatia and Montenegro as well as doing many other new and exciting things for PST. Mislav has directed and been involved in many archaeological projects over the years and is also a licensed ski instructor and an apprentice in alpine mountaineering. With his extensive knowledge and experience, positive can-do spirit, boundless energy and ever present smile, he makes for a wonderful travelling companion and great person to work with. After graduating from high school, Mislav enrolled in the Department of Archaeology and continued his education through graduate levels to PhD studies, which he is currently attending at the University of Zagreb. He received Excellence Awards from the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences for his accomplishments in both undergraduate and graduate studies, and was awarded a scholarship of excellence from the City of Zagreb for his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and from the Department of Archaeology for his PhD studies. Mislav has participated in numerous excavations in both Croatia and abroad (Israel and Austria) and, after graduating, started leading some of the excavations independently. While studying, Mislav became a licenced ski-instructor as well as an alpine mountaineer apprentice.

What previous guests have to say about Mislav:

"Being guided by Mislav with his upbeat personality, knowledge of local history and sites, and general enthusiasm throughout the trip was definitely a highlight. He worked well with local guides, to give us a comprehensive understanding of the location." Rebecca Dillon "Mislav Files was an outstanding guide, knowledgeable, friendly, humble, enthusiastic and consistently professional. Notably, he did not look after us as a group, he looked after us as individuals." Helen Curran "Mislav was the best tour guide I've ever had (and I've traveled quite a bit). I'd love to have him on all my tours. Full of zest and knowledge, fun and charming. Perfect English. His enthusiasm made all the trips fun, educational and informative. The trip was such a great learning experience, the most unique of any trip I've taken. I highly recommend!" Kathy Robbins "Our superior guide, Mislav, added immensely to every place we visited. It was ‘great fun was had by all’! I would consider Mislav a Guide’s Guide… who is THE guide that all others look up to as the standard to strive to meet. Our guide, Mislav, aside from being the consummate knowledgeable ‘Guide Supreme’,was constantly focused on the comfort & inclusion of all of his ‘guests’." Ruthie and James Henderson "The knowledge of our guide was topnotch. This is probably the best tour I have ever taken. Mislav gave it his all. Mislav, had a depth and breadth of knowledge that made our discussions exciting and engaging, his patience and expertise were remarkable." Karen Tarapata

View Mislav Files's Biography

Accreditations

AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2015 Gold Award AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2017 Gold Award AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2018 Silver Award AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2019 Silver Award Best Travel Company for Arts and Culture Holidays Silver British Travel Award 2022 Member of ABTA the Association of British Travel Agents Member of ASTA The American Society of Travel Advisors Member of ABTOI the Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy

Rated as Excellent on Aito Reviews with over 500 reviews