THIS BEAUTIFUL NATURE is only few hours from Serbia and you had no idea about it (PHOTO) (VIDEO)

The smallest country on the Balkan peninsula has its own hidden beauties hidden in chimney corner of its well knows coastline. Montenegro, well known in world by its ham, can be proud with its national parks, forests, rivers and mountains. Because of that, Montenegro can meet the needs of all visitors that come to holiday to this country.

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Starting their trip towards Montenegro coast from Serbia, many don't know that there is beautiful nature in every corner that takes your breath away.

Montenegro can boast with five national parks, fascinating mountains that surround them and they offer many possibilities to use your vacation actively. 

Foto: N. Ivanovski

Because of that National tourist association of Montenegro (NTOCG) decided to emphasize its unjustly neglected natural beauties of the rest of the country. They decided to present their offer of active vacation, that can please anyone's taste. And most of the people that go to the vacation can not just stay still, but constantly seeks for adventure that would lift their adrenaline just a little bit.

NTOCG and the Montenegro embassy in Belgrade hosted the journalists from Serbia, among them was the Telegraf crew, and showed us the hidden corners we only heard about. We have to say that we are fascinated and we didn't know that this country has to offer this much.

Foto: N. Ivanovski

Like every tourist that comes from Serbia, we felt like home. We went to National parks of Biogradska gora and Durmitor, small and tucked in Kolasin, our hosts took us rafting on Tara river, Skadarsko lake, Ada Bojana, Ulcinj Riviera, and we had to enjoy the far know Montenegro food, taste of home made wine and rakija. 

One of our hosts was Luka Bulatovic, general manager of the tourist agency "Explorer", which according to them offers "the best vacation in Europe and in the world". "Explorer saw the future of Montenegro not only in the tourist offer on the coast, but also in the continental part. Therefore they offer various activities, which include rafting, canyoning, horseback riding, bicycling, jeep safari, camping...

- Our company is working for 360 days in Montenegro and it is divided into two segments - summer and winter. What I would like to point out and recommend to everybody is the winter period where we can combine the sea and the mountain, we can sail in the morning and ride snowmobile in the afternoon or kite boarding. There are lots of different activities in the winter, we have recognized that well in the past few years and we will continue to walk the known track. We are bringing a certain numbers from western Europe, where they have to cross lots of kilometers and we have all that in the 50 kilometer radius - said Bulatovic.

BIOGRADSKA GORA 

Our first detination was national park Biogradska gora, where you can meet protected species like bears and enjoy the sights of flora, drive the bicycle and climb the viewpoints with incredible panoramic view. Biogradska gora is one of the most preserved rainforests in Europe, actually one of the lasts three in Europe, and on the way to the coastline, people who arrive from Serbia, the first one on the way is this park. On the way to the sea anybody can come to this beautiful nature reserve in the heart of the mountain Bjeslice which is also called "The lungs of Montenegro". 

Foto: N. Ivanovski

What is especially interesting is the data that Biogradska gora was a protected area in 1878 and Yellowstone, the first named national park.  First one who recognized the significance of this beauty is king Nikola, who issued a ban on cutting wood and today, the average age of the trees is over 400 years. In the central part of this nature is Bigradsko lake. Many famous celebrities visited this park, including Italian actress Sofia Loren.

TARA RIVER RAFTING 

After the park we are heading to the river Tara, to the so wanted rafting. Even thou the weather was rainy, while we waited the sky opened and the Sun shined upon us. We put our rafting suits on, "armed" with smiles and headed to the boats and endless blue river. The Tara canyon is the deepest in Europe, and second deepest in the world with 1.333 meters. 

Foto: Jovana Todorović

While rafting we could soak the sights of green and unique nature. We stopped along the way by the river Ljutica, the shortest river in the world, which is only 135 meters long. This river could not be handled, not even by the most extreme professionals in water sports.

Only couple of hundred meters further, while we crossed the river with our boat, we had the opportunity to pass below the grandiose bridge Djurdjevica over Tara. When it was build in 1940, it was one of the biggest and the most beautiful traffic objects of this kind in the world.

During the World War II, partizans collapsed an ark of the bridge, to prevent the advance of enemy troops only two years after it was finished. However, the symbol of Tara canyon was successfully renewed and it presents today one of the most recognizable parts of Montenegro. There is a Zip line at the 172 meter tall bridge, make sure to visit it.

DURMITOR AND ZABLJAK

In our adventure, we could not go around the National park and mountain Durmitor with its grandiose pinnacle - Medjed. Durmor has 18 glacial lakes, also known as "mountain eyes". The prettiest and the biggest among them is certainly Black lake, surrounded by coniferous forest. The top of Medjed, with its pine forest, gives the lake emerald green color. By the coast of the lake there is a decorated hiking trail and you can use it to walk around its entire surface.

Foto: N. Ivanovski

Many call it the most beautiful mountain in Montenegro with its 48 tops and over 2.000 meters tall. There are 5 canyons, over 500 kilometers of marked trails and it is one of the best marked mountains. It provides ideal conditions for hiking and for those that like this kind of activities, Durmitor is considered one of the best nature areas for this adventure.

On relatively small place, there is a mountain world of fantastic shapes. The climate is totally different from the coastal area of the country. Every year on 1st of August there is a snowboard competition.

SKADARSKO LAKE

To fulfill our active vacation after the beautiful areas of the northern Montenegro, we have headed south towards Skadar and Adriatic sea. Our first stop was Virpazar on the coast of the Skadar lake. Little boats set on the lake, ready to sail away at any time, Mediterranean architecture and imposing monument to fallen fighter in national liberation war, gives you the feeling that you don't want to go away from it.

Foto: N. Ivanovski

From Virpazar you can go to walking routes, cruising, bicycling, kayaking... For those who enjoy wines, there are wine routes, and you must try the one from this area - Vranac.

We embarked a ship and headed to explore the largest lake on the Balkans. Next to the panoramic view, we could see many kinds of birds, over 280 species. Lots of cultural and historical monuments are on Skadar, monasteries with fortresses, settled on the islets called "gorice".

Foto: N. Ivanovski

While we passed through water lilies and marsh vegetation, we could see many coves and fishing settlements. While cruising, we passed by the former stone prison-island Grmozur, which was known as "Montenegro Alcatraz" during the time of prince Nikola.

The smell of fresh fish lured us in the restaurant "At Rasa", in the place Pjescac. The taste of fish and other dishes, with the hosts in high spirits and a beautiful view of Skadar lake, remain as the special memory. 

Foto: N. Ivanovski

That gave us the strength go continue via old road through villages on the hills, in order to see the lake in all its glory. Panoramic view on the lake from the high point, green that surrounds it and Albanian villages it goes through, offer you the insight into intact nature and the time people used to live in this area of Montenegro. 

ADA BOJANA

Our destination was Ulcinj Riviera, the southernmost part of Montenegro. Diversity is what decorates this coast, with the combination of East and the West, combined from Adriatic sea, river Bojana, island Ada and luxuriant intact vegetation.

Foto: Promo

The beach of Ada Bojana consists of two parts, nudist and non nudist. In order to enjoy this wonderful offer, a part of the 2.200 meter beach gives you the chance to find your own peace and watch the never ending blue sea. There are various activities on Ada Bojana, in fact, so much that it is listed among top 10 world destinations for kite surfing, paragliding and windsurfing. Horseback riding is one of the main tourist attractions for the past four decades.

Ada Bojana is a real oasis of serenity where nudists can enjoy far from curious eyes of the spectators. For those who prefer more river like environment, they have river Bojana on the other side. Rafts with fish restaurants, and it is said that they are one of the best in this part of Adriatic region, are visited by celebrities whole year long. If you decide to go to cruising by the river and sea, you will pass right next to the Albanian shore where you will be able to see the bunkers from the period of Enviro Hoze. 

Foto: Promo

The best thing on Ada Bojana is that accommodations are right next to the beach, and you can chose if you will enjoy the view from apartment, bungalow or a hotel. Surrounded by parks, you can chose for entertainment beach volleyball, football, or simply swim and enjoy the salty water.

When you go to the Montenegro coast, stop and look from side to side, you will see many natural beauties that are along the way. You will discover beautiful sights, rest up for the road to come, and it would be shame if you did not try "cicvala" or "kacamak" and find out something more about this beautiful country.

(Telegraf.co.uk / N. Ivanovski)