Did you know that Albania has at least two “blue eyes”? The Blue Eye of Saranda in the southern part of the country is the most famous one, but the Blue Eye of Kapreja/Theth is rapidly gaining in popularity. A few weeks ago we made a hiking tour to this breathtaking place with a group […]
Author: Marianne van Twillert
MY 7 FAVORITE CAMPSITES IN MONTENEGRO
As camping tourism is getting more and more popular, specialized tour operators in the European Union are interested in organizing round trips for campers and caravans through the Balkans. This is also a good opportunity for Montenegro to improve its existing campsites and establish new ones, not only on the Adriatic Coast but also in […]
SLOW FOOD: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE OF NORTH MONTENEGRO
One of the things I have always liked in Montenegro is the good and healthy food. Once a week I go to the local market, where I buy fruit and vegetables, domestic olive oil, cheese, honey, home-made juice, fresh eggs, herbal tea, etc. … but of course, I am also very proud of the ‘organic’ […]
5 WEEKEND TRIPS TO NORTH ALBANIA
Although Montenegro is a wonderful country, many expats and inhabitants of Podgorica have been asking me how and where to spend a nice weekend in North Albania. No wonder, the distance to the Božaj/Hani i Hotit border is 20 km only. Although the border crossing is still under reconstruction at the moment, new control points […]
PELOPONNESE: EXPLORING MANI
When I read some information about Mani, the southernmost part of the Peloponnese, I was struck by similarities in history, landscape and culture between Mesa Mani (also called Inner or Deep Mani) and Montenegro/North Albania, although there is a distance of 1000 km between these two regions. A good reason to make a trip around […]
PELOPONNESE: THE CASTLES OF METHONI AND KORONI
As May is said to be a perfect month to explore the Peloponnese, we traveled this large Greek peninsula by camper and convinced ourselves of its extraordinary beauties. One of the most attractive regions appeared to be Messinia, a land full of contrasts in the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. We didn’t only discover vast […]
STARI BAR – A HISTORICAL ADVENTURE
The last time I visited the old town of Stari Bar was about five years ago. Although it was already clear that reconstruction works had started, most buildings still lied in ruins and it took a lot of imagination to understand why this town had been so important in the past. But things have changed […]
HIKING ALONG THE VRMAC RIDGE
Boka Kotorska is a superb hiking area, in particular in spring and autumn. Although there are several trails and paths around Boka, hiking along the Vrmac ridge is getting more and more popular. Why? First of all, Vrmac has a very special position, as it is a long limestone ridge, separating the inner and outer […]
THE FORTRESSES OF SKADAR LAKE
Skadar Lake with its natural beauties and cultural heritage has always been one of my favorite places in Montenegro. I have made many boat trips, watching pelicans and visiting old monasteries; I have enjoyed the typical lake cuisine; and of course, Paul and I have explored almost all the roads, hiking trails, picturesque villages, old […]
5 FORGOTTEN FORTRESSES IN CENTRAL MONTENEGRO
Central Montenegro hides many secrets. Abandoned churches, mysterious graveyards, old wells, archeological sites …. but also fortresses, some of them totally devastated, which show the rich history and culture of this part of the country. In the following post I will present you 5 fortresses, located in Podgorica and its wider surroundings. It’s true, most […]