Late February/ early March is a perfect time for winter trekking tours. Thanks to my friends Gisela and Bernhard Buhler from Switzerland, we spent a very nice week walking on snow shoes. Firs we spent a few days on Mount Durmitor, than Bjelasica and Kolašin and we ended on Mount Lovćen. These  were days of joy and learning more about the potential of this relaxed winter activity. There is enough snow in the mountains,so enjoy it, if you are in Montenegro. If not, let these picture invite you!

Late September and early October I had a honor to host a group of 15 people from Switzerland, led by mountain guide Bernhard Buhler, at a two - week tour around Montenegro. The tour was designed to go through the most beautifull parts, starting from the northeast all the way to the far south, covering the natural beauties of both mountains and canyons, and also visiting cultural and historical monuments. We spent the first nine days in the north, where we hiked almost each day between 4 to 7 hours on Prokletije, Komovi, Zijevo, Bjelasica, Mrtvica canyon and Durmitor, enjoying the beautiful weather, delicious local food and šljivovica! This part of the trip was physically more demanding. After that we moved to the south, where it was more relaxed and easier, but still beautifull, as we visited many cultural and historical monuments, ancient cities, museums, monasteries... we also walked several hours on Vrmac hill above Boka Kotorska bay, we enjoyed the autumn sun on the sandy beaches of Ulcinj and made a boat cruise by on Skadar lake. Many thanks to all participants for this great trip, especially to mountain guide Bernhard Buhler.


"As a Swiss mountain guide, I organize trips abroad and was looking for a leader in Montenegro. When I was in Montenegro last year, I knew emmediately that I was very lucky to meet Vanja. In September this year I was with the group of 15 people travelling with him, my impression has been confirmed. The cooperation with him was great and the group was enthusiastic about him. Experience in leading groups was very impressive for me. He's quite and very responsible. We have made hikes in Prokletije, Komovi, Zijevo, Durmitor and on the coast. The people and the fantastic areas made our stay to a great experience. Montenegro is close to my heart. I am looking forward to meet Vanja next year again. Thanks a lot!"
Bernhard Buhler,
Mountain guide,
 Switzerland

" To this tour I would give the name "the beauty of colors and variety", a real pleasure! Hiking through a shady, cool beech wood we arrived at a wide open plateau wich slopes lighted towards us in the brightes autumn colors. This was Indian summer in Montenegro! Far above us we spied the ridge wich we reached finally from time to rime on all fours. What a view! Far below us we saw villages in Albania, the ridhe on wich we walked along was the border: one foot in Albania and other in Montenegro, funny idea! With the next ascent we reached at the top of the ridge. And again a most fantastic view: far down below us a very solitary Alps and very close to us the next gigantic mountain chain, the "Monte negro" in the real meaning of the word "black mountain". Over white shiny rocks we reached again the slopes of Indian summer and with last melancholy look back we proceded into the forest back down into the valley. With good beer and "zivjeli" (prost)"
Silvia Hochstrasser,
participant, 
Switzerland

Once more I had the opportunity and honor to work together with my friend Heli Gargitter and to spend a great week with him and other people from Dolomites. The tour started in Durmitor National Park, where we made several tours. This spring snow conditions are good and safe, which enabled us to ski from several peaks in one day. For the second part of our trip we moved to Kolašin. The mountains around are not as high as Durmitor, but that does not make them less attractive for skiing. I would like to thank Mrs.Erminija from Brile hotel for the excellent food. We enjoyed it a lot, and that also applies to the last part of the trip - a unique experience of skiing, cultural, historical and natural diversity spiced with a delicious fish dinner on the coast and all in one day! Thanks to all participants and special thanks to Heli for the photos.

 

" To climb mountains in Montenegro with the touring skis was a special experience for all of us, because in the Alps you can hardly find such a beautiful landscape with no people at all! That mean, off course, to enjoy tranquility and untouched slopes with greasy, smooth snow. In some parts we were even the first to descent by skis. Thanks to Vanja, we also got to know a lot about daily life, culture, history and politics in Montenegro. A really unforgettable trip!"

Gunda Regensberger, journalist, RAI, Radiotelevisione Italiana