9 independent reviews for Self guided biking vacation in Montenegro and Albania
Reviews for Self guided biking vacation in Montenegro and Albania
Bob Hollander review 22 Oct 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We had a series of great cycling days in Montenegro, all with memorable landscape.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Review carefully the suggested accommodations; two were unsatisfactory. Be prepared for changing weather.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We bought produce and products from home-side stands and farmers markets.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall, our week of cycling in Montenegro was outstanding.Neale Wardley review 29 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Spectacular scenery and special people.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Keep in regular contact with the travel guides on the ground.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Locals were always happy and appreciative. Our cycling was the best way to see new places in an environmentally friendly way.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Rate self guided cycling travel very highly.Conall Walsh review 22 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The absolutely incredible scenery and the very friendly and welcoming people of Montenegro and Albania.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring sun screen and make sure you have a high enough level of fitness for those mountainous days on the bike.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I feel the way we were able to witness and experience the countryside in a carbon friendly manor added to the overall enjoyment of the vacation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
One of my favourite vacations ever. Everyone was so accommodating on our trip. Zoran was an incredible help on the trip and really made being in a different country alot more comfortable. The hotels we stayed in were very friendly and did their best to make sure we had a comfortable stay.Melinda Bell review 7 May 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Note - We were on a specially-designed trip because we were going from Kotor at the beginning (instead of the end) to Shkoder in Albania at the end of the trip. The best day was cycling from Cetinje (a wonderful historic town) to Virpazar. This section has some uphill but is mostly fun downhill and has great places to stop and eat or get a coffee. Virpazar has boats available to take you out on Lake Skadar and see the Dalmatian Pelicans and other wonderful birds in the wetland area and more open areas of the Lake. Plus, the family-owned apartment in Virpazar was like a "home stay" with wonderful hosts.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Read over the route carefully to make sure this is what you want to do, and that you are prepared for the challenges of the uphills, and some traffic if you go around the Bay of Kotor (another beautiful ride - and the only flat ride on our tour).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We especially loved staying in the smaller family-owned hotels or apartments, but the entire trip was relatively low impact. Staying in hotels for more than one night in a row reduces the need to wash towels and sheets, and also reduces the driving to move luggage - so routes that have multiple night stays in one place are always preferred.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent trip.Robert Donaldson review 14 May 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The bike decent into the bay of Kotor from Lovcen national park, one of the most spectacular descents I've even made.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Lunch options are very limited, there are often simply no Cafes or Restaurants on the route, carry some spare food. Weather can always catch you out, lowest temperature encountered on my trip in early May was 1C, and I had two days of serious rain.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It's a bike vacation .... constant interaction with local people, little environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Despite my bad luck with the weather, a great vacation, very few other tourists except in Kotor.Louise Thomas review 18 Jun 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We had so many highlights of this vacation, Montenegro provides many opportunities to experience different scenery within the one country. We loved hiking in Dumitor National Park, going on a zipline over the Tara Canyon and biking around the Bay of Kotor. The best experiences were ziplining across Tara Canyon, hiking, biking and boating - everything really!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We had a private itinerary which was like a point to point transfer in a private car, with accommodation organised and activities that were self-guided. This gave us the confidence to travel in Montenegro without local knowledge, but the freedom to do things our way. We had flexibility which allowed us to arrange some activities ourselves. Going with 3e travel in Montenegro was an excellent option for us as we experienced smaller vacation accommodation, like B&B rather than larger properties. We had excellent pre-trip support with email and phone calls from Boris and his team, and excellent in-country support with a local phone provided and prompt response and service to any queries. We were also able to easily re-arrange activities when the weather changed, as well as once we were in country and got to see different options. Going from North to South in Montenegro also allowed us to experience different cuisine and culture as well.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed in smaller properties, that were family run, which provided local people with our business. At Kotor, the B&B was able to provide an evening meal service as well as breakfast, which was excellent.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A fabulous way to explore a country that we really had no local knowledge of before this vacation. Coming from Australia, we expected something akin to Croatia, and with a less established tourism industry, and this experience gave us exactly what we thought it would. We were able to combine a large number of activities, from hiking, ziplining, cycling, as well as a sail boat day (separately organised) and boat ride to the Blue Grotto off Kotor. A fabulous vacation experience that met all our experiences and more!Laura Greenberg review 25 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Cycling downhill for 38km from Lovcen to Sindon! The views were breath taking.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
On reflection we would have been happier with 2 days cycling followed by a day off then resuming cycling for another 2 days. 4 days back to back left us feeling very tired but we are older and less fit than your average cyclist!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Using a Montenegrin cycling company provided jobs for younger people in country with high unemployment. Cycling rather that relying on a car reduced carbon emissions. Choosing a route that featured National Parks and Bird Reserves supported the conservation economy. Unfortunately kerbside littering and fly tipping in Montenegro and Albania is endemic and our routes were frequently spoilt by the sight and smell of rubbish along the way4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall we had a wonderful time. Routes were well explained and documented, transfers were timely and the team at the local operator were helpful and supportive especially when it came to designing routes without too many hills! We did have some issues with the accommodation in the eco lodge at Sindon. The standards of hygiene and housekeeping were very poor and despite its stunning location we felt that it fell far short of the three star standard expected. We discussed this with the rep and the hotel whilst we were there and they did there best to improve the situation. We were only staying one night so did not ask for a transfer, however it would probably be advisable to keep an eye on this option.Gini Saharvill review 1 Nov 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Exploring Montenegro and Albania in a completely different way! Also Vladomir was absolutely amazing - so helpful in sorting us out whatever help we needed, he really made the trip.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Have some fitness! Some of the hills around the lake on the Montenegran side are pretty brutal but definitely worth it for the view!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes to local people as we stayed at small places.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant, wish we had been fitter and had brought padded shorts (!) but really fun, especially because of Vladomir so thanks to him. Only thing I'd be unsure of is doing this trip in the rain as not sure how good it would be!!Eric Wilson review 17 Oct 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Biking in Montenegro is an exhilarating experience. Most roads are threaded through mountain valleys or cliff sides that are sparsely populated with little traffic. Biking around Lake Skadar is a perfect balance of natural beauty and interesting cities/villages.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring clothing appropriate for different types of weather. Otherwise, simply enjoy the biking!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hopefully our bicycle trip contributes to the growing bicycle culture and active tourism in Montenegro and Albania. The local travel company is run by locals who are passionate about growing active tourism and environmental conservation throughout the Balkans.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a wonderful experience on this vacation. It was a great introduction to the region and its amazing amenities.Holiday Reviews
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