8 independent reviews for Montenegro multi activity vacation, surf and turf
Reviews for Montenegro multi activity vacation, surf and turf
Maria Booker review 28 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved having something interesting to do every day, but particular highlights were the rafting down the Tara river, rock climbing via ferrata (which was thrilling due to the scenery, but not technically challenging, so very accessible) and our boat tour at the coast with Stan’s family.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We did the “Surf and Turf” tour, which we highly recommend, combining the highlights of both the mountains and the coast, both of which are a must see! If flying from London, then both RyanAir and WizzAir go to Podgorica, but two out of four flights that the families we were on tour with had their flights delayed by a day. Possibly worth considering flying to/from Tivat or Dubrovnik if near the coast!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all our tours were done by local people in a small group, often just our family. We felt that we were both helping the locals benefit from tourism and got to spend some time talking to them and understand their views and culture better.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We did the Surf and Turf tour with our 15 and 12 year old in August 2023 and would highly recommend! Stan and G are absolutely brilliant hosts and gave us a really personal experience and the whole family agreed it was one of the best family vacations we have ever done. We started in the mountains with two other families, one of whom was also doing the surf and turf tour and another who were doing a tailor made itinerary. In the mountains it worked out that we didn’t do any of the same activities at the same time as the other families staying, but the kids loved playing table tennis and cards with the other kids at the mountain base in the evening. Stan was also very flexible about the schedule. We arrived a day late due to a very delayed Ryanair flight to Podgorica, but Stan just moved things around so we didn’t miss out on any activities. We also changed from a jeep safari to two of us going rock climbing and two of us going horse riding once we arrived which was also fine. Stan’s wife G cooked a lovely welcome meal when we first arrived, cooked muffins for the kids later in the week, and also accompanied us to a pharmacist to sort out a prescription. Stan and G were also very happy to run us to the supermarket or anywhere else whenever we needed. Our mountain apartment was pretty spacious, simple but clean and pleasant. After the beautiful but sometimes chilly mountains, the bright sunshine and refreshing water of the coast was a complete contrast. The boat tour around Kotor Bay with the other 2 families as well as Stan’s family, with a homemade picnic and plenty of beer and wine was a real highlight, as well as a paddleboarding trip with the other families and being taken out sailing and sea-kayaking just as a family of four. The bay of Kotor is absolutely stunning and we really enjoyed spending so much of our 5 days in or on the water. We stayed in Stan’s apartment which was compact but fantastically located metres from the beach and close to restaurants and other amenities. We understand other apartments are hired as needed so there is not one base in the same way as the mountains. It's worth noting that health and safety does not have quite the same emphasis as in the UK, but we didn’t feel that anything was unsafe and there were some benefits to the more gung ho attitude of just having a go and getting on with it! Montenegro is still developing its tourist industry which we quite liked – one benefit being it is a lot cheaper than Croatia where we spent a few days afterwards. Overall we felt that we had got to meet local people, and get to know Montenegro a bit. Staying with Stan and G was more like staying with friends than being part of a commercial tourist operation. If you have active kids you will love this vacation!Chenfei Wang review 23 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our most memorable part is the warmth of Stan, Goca and their family’s host and help during our vacation. Especially when our return flight was delayed by one day and we got stuck in the airport without knowing where to sleep that night, Stan arranged us to stay in a beautiful apartment in Podgorica which turned our unfortunate situation into one extra evening tour around the capital!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Do some exercise before going on this trip which is physically demanding because of the amount of activities arranged during this short period.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We tried local grown food, had delicious meals in restaurants with beautiful views and met amazing people during various activities which hopefully also helped local people with their business.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Montenegro was one of our most unforgettable vacations because of the variety of mountain and water activities it offers in 11 days. This is combined with wonderful people and breath taken views which made it even more special!Joanna Katz review 22 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hard to pick - Durmitor is incredible, the hike through the forest to see the Black Lakes was amazing, as was the rafting through the Tara river canyon - but the drive back from Durmitor to Niksic, with the amazing views around every band - i will never forget it. Stan and his family were amazing hosts too - enthusiastic, fun, warm, generous - it was a great vacation.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Have an amazing time - and get there as soon as you can!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The warmth we felt from so many of the people we spoke to - they genuinely seemed to appreciate that we were visiting their country from the UK, and wanted to ensure that we were having a great time; I think there is a different attitude towards environmental concerns there though, but that's not something a family of 5 on a vacation for 2 weeks can really have any impact on.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Amazing. We are not the most active family - so when we spent 5 days trekking, riding bikes, rafting, and our kids said, on balance, it was the best vacation they've ever had - well, that says it all. And our 5 year old did a 12 mile hike with barely a word of complaint ;)Susan Leahey review 23 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
This vacation was brilliant, just what we wished for. I can't wait to make a photo book of our highlights. Our Host and Hostess were great and made the vacation something special. The other guests were great and our children got along well with the other family.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You need to get kitted up early for the rafting part, because it was a bit chaotic.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, with Stan sourcing the activities locally and shopping for our self catered sections locally it was great. The food provided was brilliant and interesting.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A perfect Activity vacation using local resources, we had a wrap around few days at the start and finish which topped it off perfectly. Thank you to all.Anonomous review 28 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The most memorable part of this trip would have to be the beautiful scenery that you encounter through each of the activities. The most exciting part was the canyoning activity which I thoroughly enjoyed.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Tourism services in Montenegro are still maturing and sometimes the communication of the local activity providers can be a bit limited - this is not a major issue and Stan is working to improve this but in the meantime, before each activity simply ask Stan what to expect to avoid any confusion. Also, some activities will push you physically and may take people outside of their comfort zones (e.g. canyoning) so speak to Stan about each one so that you know what you are signing up for and can swap out for an alternative activity if you prefer.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely, Stan works closely with the local community to provide the best experience possible for his guests and also gives his local service providers feedback to support them in their development.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I really enjoyed this vacation and would happily have stayed longer if I could.Stephen Featherstone review 19 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
In the mountains doing quad biking and walking. At the coast sailing and boat ride2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is an active vacation especially in the mountains, bring clothing for all weathers even in the summer.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly supporting local people4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Stan and his wife were excellent hosts going out of their way to ensure we got the most out of the vacation. The country itself was breathtaking and well worth exploring.Natalie Isaksson review 8 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Most memorable was the excellent hospitality offered to us by the team. They went out of their way to make our vacation the best it could be.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you have children and are doing the Tara River rafting, take your own water shoes and wetsuits. They have nothing to fit children. Horseriding is not a suitable activity for children under the age of 12 - 15yrs. They provided ill-fitting helmets and the stirrups couldn't be shortened to a suitable length which made riding for our 7 and 9 yr olds very difficult. Choose another activity alternative.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, I could see that the operator actively employed local people for their activities.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a wonderful time and would love to re-visit Montenegro.Caroline McGregor review 18 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved the cycling tour day in Durmitor which included taking the ski-lift and then climbing to the top of Savin Kuk through swathes of alpine flowers, then cycling along quiet back roads with the mountains always in view, to a lake for swimming, where flocks of sheep were being shepherded by on the other side. At the coast, it was HOT for us pale and weedy Scots so getting into the water was blissful. I loved sitting up front on the sailing boat Manta, glass of rosé wine in hand, dangling my feet over the side as we scudded along heading back to port in the late afternoon. Stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, rafting down the river Tara, the boat trip to Kotor and Perast, a traditional Montenegrin meal, the longest zip-line in Europe – they were all great experiences. But really it was Stan and Goca, Lara and Dimitri, Evgenia, Misha (our fellow guests), Goran, Natasha, Ilya, Ljubo, Alexa, Blaj (our instructors and guides) who made the vacation so memorable.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for cold and wet weather in the mountains - it can happen and we experienced it for a couple of days before it turned beautifully warm and sunny.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All the activity providers were local people running their own small businesses.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great, a real mix ox experiences. Montenegro does exactly what it promises – the mountains are everywhere, from the high peaks of Durmitor to the fjord of the Bay of Kotor. A huge thank you to Stan and Goca for organising our vacation in Montenegro. They are the warmest, most hospitable and obliging hosts and we really appreciate everything they did, particularly Goca’s home-made cheese pie with filo pastry for breakfast, and her fabulous raspberry jam.Holiday Reviews
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