Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
An Adriatic Escape From Croatia to Montenegro
Croatia – Montenegro – Dubrovnik – Kotor – Sveti Stefan
Your journey kicks off in Dubrovnik, where honey-hued stone streets and medieval walls set the scene. Spend your days wandering the Old Town, strolling along the coast and sipping your way through its café culture.
Next, cross the border and head into a new country, Montenegro – an unsung gem where things feel blissfully under the radar. First stop: Kotor. Lose yourself in its maze of cobbled streets and hidden squares or climb up to sweeping viewpoints for those big bay views. From here, pick up your hire car and hit the road to explore the wider region, following winding coastal routes and mountain passes through a string of small towns. Next, set sail with a skipper across the Bay of Kotor, drifting past sleepy villages and quiet stretches of coastline.
Finally, your journey winds down in Sveti Stefan. Here, take a boat trip across Lake Skadar, gliding past fishing villages and waters alive with birdlife, before slowing things right down with refreshing swims and long lunches overlooking the sparkling Adriatic.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Your journey to Croatia begins with a two-and-a-half-hour flight to Dubrovnik. Head to the airport, breeze through security, pick up a new beachside read and settle into your flight (try to nab a window seat for those first shimmering views of the coastline).
When you arrive, a private transfer will whisk you away to your base for the next two nights.
Drop your bags and head out for some kava (coffee) and a bite to eat before wandering down to the beach, where Adriatic sunshine and rolling waves ease you into holiday mode. In the mood to stretch your legs? The shaded trails of the Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park make for an easy, pine-scented stroll, soundtracked by the hum of cicadas.
By the time evening rolls around, ask our Concierge for their favourite local spot for dinner before heading back for an early night – tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Meet your local guide this morning and set off on a private walking tour through Dubrovnik’s Old Town, where smooth limestone streets wind between honey-hued buildings. Within the medieval ramparts, discover architectural gems at every turn – from the 14th-century Franciscan Monastery, a Romanesque marvel, to the Old Synagogue, a Sephardic place of worship still in use today. Pause by the elegant Gothic-Renaissance Church of the Holy Saviour, admire the Baroque beauty of the Cathedral of the Assumption and dip in and out of the Maritime Museum and nearby art gallery.
Your guide will bring the city to life with stories that go far beyond the guidebooks, sharing local traditions and the history behind each stop.
Along the way, indulge in some Croatian-style Turkish coffee – a nod to the region’s Ottoman influences – and a few fritule (bite-sized sweet doughnuts), sitting al fresco as the locals do and watching the Adriatic sparkle just beyond the city walls.
Rise bright and early this morning – you're off to Montenegro. Sit back and enjoy the two-hour ride to Kotor as you’re privately transferred across the border, watching as the scenery shifts from coastline to rugged mountain landscapes.
When you arrive, settle into your home for the next three nights, with direct access to the fjord-like waters of the bay. The rest of the day is all about R&R, so take it slow with a dip in the pool before heading out for a relaxed dinner in Kotor.
Pick up your hire car this morning and hit the road to explore the Kotor hinterland at your own pace. The drive takes you through the small towns of Bouches, Herceg Novi, Risan and Perast, each a reminder of the region’s rich maritime past. It’s an easy, breezy ride, with plenty of spots along the way to pull over, take it all in and snap a photo or two – the views just keep getting better and better.
Stop for lunch along the way, tucking into local favourites like octopus salad, pomegranate juice and baklava (a syrupy pastry found across the Balkans). Then buckle up and continue towards Cetinje, the country's former royal capital, before heading into Lovcen National Park, where winding mountain roads open up to sweeping views of the Dinaric Alps and beyond.
Later, drive back to Kotor and head out for an evening wander as the town glows under soft lantern light.
The village of Perast was famously plundered by pirates in the 17th century, and today you’re headed there to find out why. Meet your private guide and set out to explore this medieval town, home to 19 Baroque palaces and 17 Catholic churches – all once a target for raiders drawn by its riches.
From here, set sail to the island of Our Lady of the Rock, an artificial island created in the 15th century and crowned with a Baroque church. Make sure to snap plenty of photos while you’re here – this is prime holiday album material.
Your guide will then take you on to Kotor itself, nestled between steep cliffs. Its UNESCO-listed old town tells the story of centuries of shifting influence, all of which have left their mark on the architecture and atmosphere. Stroll through cobbled lanes and sun-drenched squares, stopping at the Clock Tower, the Piazza of the Arms and the Saint-Tryphon Cathedral.
Fancy lingering a little longer on the water? We can also arrange a private sailboat trip across the Bay of Kotor.
Get back behind the wheel of your hire car today and drive towards Sveti Stefan, a one-hour journey along the dreamy Montenegrin coast. Roll the windows down, tune into our destination-specific playlist to set the vibes and pull over at viewpoints when the scenery demands it (which is often).
When you arrive, settle into your villa for the next two nights and admire panoramic views of the Adriatic. Opposite the town lies Sveti Stefan Island – a striking jumble of 15th-century stone houses, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway and surrounded by tempting turquoise waters.
As the sun sets, pull up a chair at a nearby restaurant, where simple coastal cooking and fresh seafood come as standard. Expect plate after plate of flavour-packed dishes, best enjoyed with a glass or two of local wine, then finish things off with a scoop of gelato – because you're on holiday, and why not?
Today, venture out on a guided boat voyage across Lake Skadar, the largest in the Balkans. Best known for its incredible birdlife, the lake is home to over 300 species, with herons, pelicans and eagles all sharing the spotlight. Cruise past hidden villages and follow the Moraca River towards the Manastirska Bird Reserve as your guide shares stories of the lake’s cultural significance.
Drift along to the village of Krnjice, where a freshly caught fish lunch prepared by a local family awaits. Next, it’s time for a refreshing swim in Radus, the deepest part of the lake – perfect for cooling off. Back on board, glide past the fishing village of Pristan and the small islet of Grmozur, once a prison and now a quiet landmark, before making your way back to Sveti Stefan.
For your final night (and a truly special send-off), ask our Concierge for one last restaurant recommendation to toast to your trip in style.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Montenegro. After a hearty breakfast, gear up for one last drive to Tivat Airport, around 50 minutes away. Return your trusty hire car, check in for your flight and settle in for the journey home.
You’ll spend around three hours in the air – plenty of time to start dreaming up your next European escape...
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
SET SAIL IN THE BAY OF KOTOR
If there’s one way to see Montenegro at its best, it’s from the water. Hop aboard a sailboat with a skipper and drift into the Bay of Kotor, a fjord-like stretch of shimmering waters framed by forested mountains and terracotta-roofed towns. Glide through the bay of Tivat, passing the Island of Flowers and the pine-clad shores of Sveti Marko, before reaching Our Lady of the Rocks. Set just off the coast of Perast, this island is home to a 17th-century church said to be the site of a miracle, and it remains a place of pilgrimage today. Continue onwards to the Verige Passage and towards the fjord near Herceg Novi, with stops at fishing villages along the way. Your skipper will know just the spot to drop the anchor, whether that’s a quiet cove for a swim or simply somewhere to pause and take it all in.
Why visit Croatia with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Croatia
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
Why visit Montenegro with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Montenegro
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
