Question

I am planning a summer holiday to Montenegro in June. I have heard it's a beautiful and untouched country, but don't know much else about it. Have you got any recommendations, for example : where to stay along the coast, and any 'must-do' activities while we are there? Jane, via e-mail

Answer

Montenegro's coast is dotted with gorgeous coves and quaint hamlets. Petrovac is an exceedingly pretty resort about halfway along the Montenegrin coast, however it can be busy. Try Perast, an unprecedented and miniscule city in the Bay of Kotor, boasting sixteen churches and two little islands, which you can easily hop on a boat to (about £3) for some peace and tranquillity. Also within the Bay of Kotor is the modest city of Herceg Novi. Many people bypass it for the smaller hamlets, but the walled Old Town leads to a agreeable walk, and, as the water is clearer here at the mouth of the bay, you can cool off at one of the concrete swimming patios.

After one or two days in the Bay of Kotor, either head south to Budva or inland to Lovcen Nationwide Park. Budva is an energetic coastal spot, and can be a bit of a love or hate destination as its acclaim has led straight to garish bars and packed-out beaches. If this isn't your mug of tea, Lovcen is the complete opposite. It's a mountainous area offering great hiking and mountain biking in cooler climes than on the coast.

Contracting a vehicle is a great way to explore this compact country and most major hire firms operate in Montenegro.
Question

I am travelling through the Balkans this spring. Could you advise the simplest way to find a way around and any absolute must-sees? Is getting a auto a pragmatic option, or is it more judicious to use public transport? Dana Esperanza, thru email

Answer

You'll find it extremely difficult to get a vehicle hire company that will permit you to pick up a car in one country and drop it off in another. I'd advise choosing public transport.

An excellent journey to go by train is from Zagreb to Sarajevo. The journey is exceptionally picturesque and takes about nine hours (or you could decide to continue on to Mostar which takes 12 hours or Ploce, thirteen hours). You can't purchase this ticket online you'll need to get it at the station or on the train. It's a fixed-price ticket (less than £30).

You will feel that travelling by train speeds through some of the finest of the Balkans, so I would like to recommend using a mix of trains and buses. Go by bus enables you to appreciate the views and it's generally less expensive! Eurolines is a good place to start (eurolines.com).

The must-sees on this route include Dubrovnik, for its beautiful walled old city, and Montenegro's gorgeous shore. I'd also advise you explore Zagreb for its atmospheric caf culture ; a great humanities scene ; and close by Lake Jarun, for some rest and recuperation. Head to Albania for undervalued Tirana, where there's lots of nightlife to offer a welcome distraction from all of the beach hopping.
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