The first impression you get when entering Tirana, the capital of Albania, is the absolutely chaotic traffic. Cars, bicycles, pedestrians, lorries and donkey-cards are approaching you from all directions, using their horns at all times. There are hardly any signposts and drivers do not respect any traffic rules on the numerous roundabouts (probably most of […]
Author: Marianne van Twillert
RURAL ALBANIA
When you travel to Albania, it is always a challenge to get off the beaten track, as only then you can learn more about the way people live here in their authentic environment. Last weekend we visited Tirana and Elbasan, but when we wanted to continue to the white town of Berat (UNESCO World Heritage […]
SPRING IN POŠĆENJE AND NEVIDIO CANYON
Early in May we had guests from the Netherlands and decided to show them the beautiful wild mountains in northwest Montenegro. Large parts of the Durmitor National Park were still closed for traffic at that time, but we spent two days in the surroundings of Pošćenje and Canyon Nevidio. Pošćenje – close to Šavnik – […]
BIJELA: AN ECOLOGICAL BLACK SPOT IN THE BEAUTIFUL BOKA KOTORSKA
My small studio in Bijela is an oasis of peace in the summer months, when more famous tourist resorts are overcrowded, hot and dirty. The sea is clean, we have a great view of Mt Lovćen and many nice beaches in Boka are accessible when you have a boat: not only around Tivat and its […]
THE TREASURES OF ZLATIBOR
Most inhabitants of Podgorica have visited the idyllic area of Zlatibor in southwest Serbia at least once. It is situated mid-way on the road to Belgrade, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, and many Montenegrins spend their winter holidays there. I have been a fan of the Čigota wellness program in Zlatibor for several years […]
EXPLORING CRMNICA: THROUGH THE VALLEY OF ORAHOVŠTICA
Montenegro has many hidden places that can be explored in several ways: when you don’t have enough time for hiking or biking tours, you can also explore the country by car. The hiking tour “Through the valley of Orahovštica”, designed by Skadar Lake National Park, is an interesting five hour walk (17 km) that leads you […]
PIPERI: HIKING AND BIKING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Our cottage in Rogami is an excellent starting point for hiking or biking tours to Piperi – the mountainous area that is situated north-east from Podgorica, between the Morača and Zeta rivers. The Piperi clan is one of the seven traditional highland tribes of Montenegro, famous in the Montenegrin history for their courage during the […]
ROGAMI: MY PARADISE ON THE ZETA RIVER
Where have you spent this beautiful sunny weekend? Paul and I have worked very hard these days! In Rogami (Lazi), on the green Zeta river – just 5 km from Podgorica -, we cultivate our “ecological” garden, without any pesticides and chemical fertilizers. After many weeks of heavy rain, it was really time to plant […]
THE CIJEVNA CANYON – A KARST BEAUTY WITH MEDITERRANEAN SPIRIT
Have you already visited the Montenegrin Niagara Falls, situated in the lower course of the Cijevna river (in Albanian: Cem)? Then it’s time to see another part of the Cijevna river: the spectacular canyon, which is only 15 km away from Podgorica towards the Albanian border. You can reach it by car via the Konik […]
EASTER IN HOLLAND
This year I had the opportunity to spend Easter in Holland, my home country. Of course, I did not know that it would be the coldest Easter since one hundred years! An icy east wind and temperatures below zero made it almost impossible to go out. The lakes and canals were covered with ice and […]