Walking Montenegro and the Croatian Islands

Our trip begins at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) at 12pm, you will need to arrive by this time to join the complimentary single transfer from the airport today. The latest your flight can arrive is 11.30am. We will travel together as a group to our hotel in Dobrota a one-and-a-half hours' drive.



Dobrota is a quaint little seaside settlement within walking distance of the walled city of Kotor. Described as one of Kotor Bays' more stylish enclaves, the seafront at Dobrota consists of old captain's villas, restored as seaside cafes and small hotels offering picturesque views of Mt Vrmac and the bay itself.

Today we start our walk from Kotor for one of the most scenic walks you can do on the Montenegrin coast. We walk up a zig zag meandering pathway to the top of Vrmac Mountain and then along the Vrmac Ridge that divides the Bay of Kotor and Bay of Tivat. The first part of the hike is mostly through forests, gradually ascending on the old Austro Hungarian stone pathway to a more exposed area with views of the inner bay at Kotor and then on the other side to the Adriatic and the town of Tivat. We descend from the ridge to the beach at Markov Rt for a refreshing swim in the clear waters before we return to the hotel along the small coastal road.



Today's moderate 15 kilometre trek is expected to take around five hours with 650 metres of ascent and descent.

This morning we explore the prettiest and best preserved city in Montenegro, Kotor. The old city of Kotor is a well preserved urbanisation very typical of the middle ages, situated on one of the world's most beautiful bays. Kotor's fortifications stand up to 20 metres high and completed their protective loop of the city by the 14th century. The walls rise improbably from the surrounding slopes and we will walk to the top of them, a steep walk of around 1350 steps, to take in the magnificent views of the fjord and the winding, maze like streets of the city itself. On our way back down from the city walls we will visit the small church of Saint Jovan before taking some free time to explore the rest of the town where you might chose to visit the Sea Gate, the 12th century Saint Tryphon Cathedral or the Maritime Museum.



This afternoon there is the option to take a boat trip to the Lady of the Rock and Perast Town in the bay of Kotor. The Lady of the Rock is an artificial island created by dropping multiple rocks into the sea to lay on top of each other until an islet is formed. Legend has it that over the centuries, after they found an icon of Madonna and Child on the rocks, local seamen kept an ancient oath to lay a stone in the bay every time they returned safely. Over the years the islet was formed and now is home to the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks.



Today's easy four kilometre trek is expected to take around two-and-a-half hours with 300 metres of ascent and descent.

After breakfast we transfer to a small village of Kameno located above Herceg Novi town, at the slopes of Orjen Mountain. We start our walk from there descending to Herceg Novi, stopping to admire the views towards Kotor bay- Cakotin before continue down via the peaceful village of Trebesin. Situated at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen, Herceg Novi - or New Castle as the name means, is another delightful example of a traditional Montenegrin coastal town



We drive to Bosanka hill on the edge of the UNESCO listed walled city of Dubrovnik and walk for half an hour down into the city, entering through the ancient walls on foot.



Today's easy morning four kilometre walk is expected to take around two hours with 450 metres of descent.

Those who seek paradise on earth, George Bernard Shaw once wrote, should come to Dubrovnik. This morning we have a guided walking tour of this stunning area, now fully restored following damage from the shelling in the Siege of Dubrovnik in 1991-92. The Old Town still very much retains its unique atmosphere and charm and UNESCO have granted it World Cultural Heritage status as one of the world's finest examples of a fortified Medieval town. After your tour you will then have some free time to explore more of this wonderful city. You may choose to walk the length of the city walls (1940 metres in total) or take a cable car to view the city from above. We then take the boat (one hour 15mins journey) to Mljet Island, on arrival we will have a short transfer to Pomena Village where we will stay for the night.

The western side of Mljet is often known as the Green Island as it is heavily wooded with over 70% of the island covered in forests. It is this area we will explore today as our looped hike starts out straight from our hotel and takes us around Malo and Veliko Jezero, or the Small and the Great Lake in Mljet National Park. The lakes are salt water and interconnected by a very narrow canal, there will be the opportunity to swim the lakes along the way today. The larger lake, Veliko Jezero, contains a small island known as Sv Marija upon which sits a 12th century Benedictine Monastery - we will take a short visit across to the island to have a look at the monastery and its church of St Mary. During its time on the island the monastery has taken on various guises, including a hotel during Tito's administration. The war in 1991 ended that particular phase and the monastery and church were left vacant with the possibility that the Benedictines may return to reclaim and reopen it. We return to Pomena before transferring to Polace for our next boat trip to the island of Korcula and our overnight stop in the village of Lumbarda.



Today's moderate 10 kilometre trek is expected to take around four hours with 300 metres of ascent and descent.

Lumbarda is a small fisherman's village situated on the eastern coastline of Korcula island, well known for its vineyards and a 'unique' white wine known as GRK. Our walk today follows the shore from the beautiful sandy beaches at Lumbarda itself to the town at Korcula. On route we will get some wonderful views of the archipelago and its 22 islets, including Vrnik and Badija. We finish our walk in the medieval walled town of Korcula where we will have some free time to explore. The Old Town of Korcula is shaped a little like a fish bone with a succession of narrow streets all coming off the main street, or back bone. This design was said to reduce the effects of the wind and sun and keep its occupants sheltered. During your exploration you may wish to visit the 15th century, Gothic Renaissance style cathedral of Saint Mark or the alleged birth place of Marco Polo and its impressive tower that gives amazing panoramic views of Korcula. We then take the ferry to Orebic and transfer by road to Cavtat, close to Dubrovnik, for our final nights' stay.



Due to the small size of the properties in Cavtat, the group may be spread over a variety of family run guesthouses in the area as necessary. The guesthouses although simply furnished are comfortable and clean, the rooms may vary in size.



Today's easy seven kilometre trek is expected to take around three hours with 100 metres of ascent and descent.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Cavat.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Cavat at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) a 10 minutes' drive from the hotel.