Montenegro Adventure

About Montenegro

Montenegro

Montenegro is a former republic of Yugoslavia but is now fully independent. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and, as well as having a stunning coastline, has some spectacular mountain scenery. Its stormy history has left a rich collection of monuments dating from the various civilisations and cultures that have existed in this region. It regularly celebrates its colourful history with cultural and artistic events, carnivals and folk festivals. The country has four national parks, and the Bay of Kotor (where the apartment is situated) has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In recognition of the emphasis that the country places upon the protection of its natural resources, in 1991 it was proclaimed an Ecological State. The language of Montenegro is Serbian, but English is widely spoken in the main tourist areas.

Herceg Novi

The medieval city of Herceg Novi is located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. It was founded by the Bosnian King Tvrtko I in 1382. Its defensive role is witnessed by numerous fortresses and towers. Today these are open-air stages where film, music and flower festivals are held. A characteristic feature of the city is its parks and gardens with numerous plant species of foreign origin: palms, cikasi, magnolia, agave, banana and other Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants. It also has several beautiful squares with historic churches, galleries and museums as well as many fine restaurants and open-air cafés. Further information about Herceg Novi can be obtained from the Tourist Organisation of Herceg Novi: www.hercegnovi.cc. 

Climate

This coastal region of Montenegro enjoys long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The mountains rise to a height of 1,894 metres above sea level, and conditons are correspondingly colder and windier at these altitudes. The mountains have high levels of precipitation during the winter months (November to March), and this often falls as snow but, for the rest of the year, rainfall is generally low. Snow patches may well linger on some northerly slopes well into May.

Wild flowers will be at their most plentiful from May to July. July and August are very hot in this region, and walkers will need to ensure that they carry plenty of water. Good winter walking conditions should prevail from December through to February.

Herceg Novi Weather Updated 06 February 2012 04:30 Cloudy 5°C High: 4°C Low: -4°C Wind: 0 kph Humidity: 93% Tuesday 2° / -6° Wednesday 4° / -6° Thursday 4° / 0° Friday 8° / 0° MSN Weather Data provided by Foreca

This climate guide for Herceg Novi shows historical weather averages for each month of the year. This gives the best indication of what to expect from the weather when on holiday in the Herceg Novi region. 

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum Daytime Temperature (°C)
Minimum Night-time Temperature (°C)
Hours of Sunshine
Hours of Daylight
Rainfall
Maximum UV Index
Sea Temperature (°C)

Geology

The Orjen Moutains of Montenegro are composed of Jurassic and Triassic limestone. This has been affected by glaciation to leave cirques, moraines and glacial lakes, and by dissolution by rainwater to leave a harsh karst landscape of vertical fissures, depressions, caves and sinkholes. In spite of the considerable annual rainfall that the area receives, there is almost no surface water - it rapidly disappears underground to flow as subterranean rivers, which often re-emerge as karst springs.

Flora

Due to their distinct location, with their foothills in a Mediterranean zone and their peaks in a Mountainous zone, these mountains possess a rich plant life. They contain numerous endemic species and several relicts that have survived from before the last ice age. Along the coast, typical species include Aleppo pine, holm oak, funeral cypress, wild olive and maquis. On the steep mountain slopes and karst areas above, these rapidly give way to species such as white oak, holly oak, hop-hornbeam and garrigue. Flowering species in these areas include thyme, common sage and several species of crocus.

Travel

The following airlines currently fly direct from Britain into and out of

Dubrovnik (Ćilipi) Airport (DBV) in Croatia:

EasyJet: www.easyjet.com

Thomson: www.flights.thomson.co.uk

British Airways: www.britishairways.com

Croatia Airlines: www.croatiaairlines.com

From some other European destinations there are also flights into Tivat Airport (TIV) in Montenegro.

Dubrovnik (Ćilipi) Airport is about 45 minutes' drive from the apartment. Tivat Airport is also about 45 minutes' drive away (using the ferry across the Bay of Kotor). Car hire is readily available at the airports or in Herceg Novi. This can be arranged through our associate company, Black Mountain: www.montenegroholiday.com. Alternatively, we can arrange transfers between the airports and the apartment. From Dubrovnik (Ćilipi) Airport this would typically cost €40.00 for up to four people, and from Tivat Airport this would typically cost €35.00 for up to four people.

There is a bus stop on the main road 100 metres from the apartment with Blueline buses running between here and Herceg Novi regularly throughout the day and evening. The cost of this is currently €0.70 per person. Alternatively, a taxi journey between the apartment and Herceg Novi typically costs €6.00-€7.00.