At the end of the RS Adriatic Tour, I will have an extra open day in Dubrovnik, and would be interested in visiting a couple interesting places in Montenegro. I do not plan to rent a car for that one day. Can anyone please recommend from your personal experiences which are the most interesting places nearby, and the best way to arrange a visit - bus tour, private driver/guide, or what? I will be just one person, unless others on the RS tour might share the same thought and extra day. Also, I'm looking for history, culture, natural scenery, but not hitting the beach. Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
For the sake of simplicity and a bit of laziness, I took a full day Montanegro day tour through Viator (they're a third party that made booking easier, at least for me..I don't recall who the local operator was). Although it felt a bit rushed, I can't complain regarding the price (good value even though rushed). I definitely got a "feel" for Montanegro and saw some amazing overlooks and little towns. If I had to do it over again, I would rent a car (although I would not have seen as much with a car, but would have gone more at my own pace)...I don't think it would be at all stressful (except maybe the hairpin turns up one mountain). Of the two Viator tours I took - Korcula/Peljesac Pensinsula and Montanegro, I enjoyed the first much more...but I don't regret seeing Montanegro, it was gorgeous. Obviously, if you pay for a private tour, you won't feel as rushed and you will probably get a better quality experience, but I was perfectly OK with Viator this time even though it was a full bus of people (maybe 30 or so?)
https://www.viator.com/Dubrovnik-tours/Day-Trips-and-Excursions/d904-g5
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2622 posts
We used Petar Vlasic for a private daylong tour of Montenegro. We also used him for a daylong trip to Bosnia. It was just the two of us and Petar in his nice BMW. He was a great guide. He had great stories, great history information, he drove well and he was just fun. We paid $250 for a day long tour. http://www.dubrovnikrivieratours.com/contact-us/
Posted by
Washington DC
27111 posts
Kotor is lovely and is one of the prime destinations in Montenegro, but perhaps a bit too much like Dubrovnik to make it your top target. In case you're inclined to do so, be aware that it, like Dubrovnik, gets cruisers. Check to be sure there's not going to be a monster ship at Kotor on your free day. If there will be, consider other destinations.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7548 posts
To be honest, I do not remember the name of the company we used, but what they featured is worth looking for in a tour.
It was a small tour, a minibus, maybe about twenty people, so you felt less like a herd.
The tour took us into Montenegro, up along the bay and to Kotor. In Kotor we had a nice tour, then free time to hit a museum or shop. We then did a quick stop at an overview to see Sveti Stefan, then on to Budva, where we had mostly free time along the seafront, then back to Dubrovnik. Took most of the day.
We selected the tour once we got to Dubrovnik, we talked to the operators, liked the size of the group, the multiple stops, and the free time to explore, mixed with a small amount "tour guide" banter.
I do not recall paying more than the equivalent of $50 US per person, so it was economical as well.
Posted by
Atlanta
4828 posts
Please keep this in mind if you go to or from Kotor Montenegro. From Kotor there is a certain road that leads away from the bay inland. It goes up the side of a steep mountain and has 25 numbered 180 degree switchback turns and at least 75 other sharp turns. Rock wall on one side and nothing on the other. Can't remember the name or number of the road, but it went to the towns of Njegusi and Cetinje. Don't mean to rain on you parade, but don't want you to get into a hairy situation without any knowledge. If anyone in your party is prone to motion sickness or has a problem with heights you might want to have your guide avoid this this road. You can go to bing.com, use the map feature, and see aerial views of the road from &*$$.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
From Kotor there is a certain road that leads away from the bay inland. It goes up the side of a steep mountain and has 25 numbered 180 degree switchback turns and at least 75 other sharp turns. Rock wall on one side and nothing on the other.
That's exactly the one I went on with the tour bus and wouldn't want to drive using a manual rental car (everything else looked like a very easy drive along the coastline). Lots of switchbacks but the viewpoint and fiords below were worth it.
Posted by
1 posts
Hi there,
I hired Andro, from Cheap Dubrovnik Tours, for a day tour to Montenegro, as well as a transfer from the Dubrovnik airport. We spent the day touring all of the highlights of Montenegro. We covered a lot of ground and I loved the tour! It was a fantastic decision and I could not imagine a better guide. He grew up in Montenegro and knows it well, speaks the language, and knows all the best ways to do it (the best time to cross the border, best views and cafes, etc.). His prices are super reasonable, and he is truly kind, friendly, fun, and quite knowledgable about the area. He also has a young son and is good with kids. This is his website; don't worry - the term cheap in no reflects his quality! He has a perfect score on trip advisor as well, which is where I found him. http://www.cheapdubrovniktours.com/index.html