27 January 2019 - Montenegro has a large number of museums and galleries, all dotted around the country. This charming country has a rich history, so every region within the Montenegrin border has a museum with fascinating historical artefacts specific to the area.

The National Museum of Montenegro is a complex cultural institution which consists of different museums and many buildings, churches, and houses that comprise each museum, all of which are housed in buildings of utmost historical and cultural importance. This institution was officially founded in 1896, the year of enacting the Law on Royal Montenegrin Library and Museum.

The central “theme” within the National Museum is the material and spiritual history of the territory now known as Montenegro and the people that have lived there. This museum records the history of Montenegro chronologically starting with ancient ruins and findings and continuing through to the 18^th century. Everything from war relics to furniture, artworks and historical documents are on display in the museums.

Located in Cetinje, Montenegrin Old Royal Capital, the National Museum is composed of four museums: Museum of History (composed of the King Nikola Museum, Museum of Petar II Petrovic Njegoš, Njegoš`s birthhouse, Njegoš`s Mausoleum on Lovćen, the court church Cipur, the Mausoleum of Bishop Danilo on Orlov krš and the the Raised-relief Map Pavillon), the Art Museum with the Modern art gallery Dado Đurić, the Ethnographic Museum and the newly founded Archaeological Museum with Lapidarium.

The buildings which represent segments of the National Museum are all located in central Cetinje, with the exception of Njegoš's house of birth, which is in the village of Njeguši towards Lovćen National Park.

National Museum of Montenegro performs various professional services (such as conservation, documentation, information collection and others) and it contains archival and library departments with approximately 50.000 bibliographical and 100.000 archival units.

Collection of museum exhibits on the territory of present-day Montenegro can be traced back to the ancient past. In a modern sense, however, it is possible to record the traces as of late fifteenth century, the time when Cetinje was established as a political and spiritual centre of Montenegro. The exhibition items include book collections, written and printed documents, issues related to church history - holy paintings - icons, paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, installations; war relics, flags, weaponry, furniture and various types of ethnographic items covering the entire ethnographic subject matter of present-day Montenegro.

The museum departments dedicated to particular individuals that have left their marks within the history of Montenegro – Prince-Bishop and writer Petar II Petrovic Njegoš and the last Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrovic Njegoš - have special appeal to all visitors, local and foreign.  

The tour to the National Museum of Montenegro often includes a brief history on Cetinje, Old Royal Capital of Montenegro, which is a wonderful testimony to the past times, the foundation of Montenegrin identity and spirituality. Cetinje is perhaps the smallest European capital, but it is the city of the great history and charm, which will certainly attract you.

If you are interested in learning about Montenegrin history, or want to find out more about Montenegrin artists, be sure to explore the country's cultural capital, and set aside part of your time for the National Museum complex.

Source: National Museum of Montenegro Official Website

25 January 2019 - Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro has recently claimed the Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award at the Conventa 2019 in Slovenia.

The 11^th Conventa (2019), an international conference dedicated to the future of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and travel marketing, took place on the 23 and 24 of January at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Conventa has become the leading marketplace for the meeting industry of South East and New Europe. The trade show facilitates personal contacts between an international hosted buyer community and the wide choice of meetings supplier businesses from South East Europe.

This year, the conference included more than 400 people holding more than 3300 meetings! Exhibitors came from 15 different countries, while hosted buyers from 44. The meetings were held in Marmorna Hall of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Every year, Conventa rewards extraordinary achievements in the “meetings industry”. Thus, aside from the meetings, Conventa 2019 included the Meetings Star Award Ceremony, where the winners and finalists among the best meeting destinations, hotels, and convention centres were announced. Since its inception, the Meetings Star Award has become known among the circle of event organisers and in the profession as one of the few that is awarded by established standards and criteria. Kongress magazine and Conventa confers the awards for the best congress destinations, hotels, congress centres and events in New Europe.

The Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award went to Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel in Tivat. The Regent Porto Montenegro was awarded by the jury that visited the hotel in 2018 without prior notice.

In the overall score system, the Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro was awarded a rating of 4,96 out of 5 points. The sales director of the hotel Regent Porto Montenegro, Ivan Gajić, received the award on behalf of the hotel.

Regent Porto Montenegro is a beautiful luxury hotel with personal service on the waterfront of the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor in the heart of Porto Montenegro Village, the glittering residential and glamorous superyacht homeport. The hotel offers a superb choice of event venues. The 250 square meters of function facilities are ideal for events ranging from intimate private dinners to business conferences and weddings. The professional team of the hotel dedicates its attention to every single detail offering impeccable service according to the customers’ needs. Providing a perfect meeting spot with special conference packages prepared in advance, full conference and banqueting equipment and sophisticated luxury setting, Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro has proudly claimed its Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award.

24 January 2019 - The fifth Small Orange Festival will be held in Herceg Novi on Saturday, January 26 from 10 am to 2 pm at the pedestrian zone of Njegoševa street, with numerous exhibitors, a donor's table, an orange meal workshop, and a rich musical program. The organiser of the festival is NGO Ruke.

"A lot of exhibitors and guests have already shown great interest for the fifth Small Orange Festival. A total of 35 exhibitors have applied, who will present products and delicacies made out of bitter and sweet oranges. There is a lot of interest for the donors’ tables as well, and the funds that will be collected will be sent to children with special needs," Milina Kovačević from the NGO Ruke said for News Agency Boka News.

This unique festival that people from Herceg Novi can’t help but adore has been giving a new dimension to the promotion of creativity, handmade products, and good vibes for years and thus it became a traditional event.

In addition to 35 exhibitors, many participants will present their offer at the donor tables, such as restaurants, various associations, bakers, florists, and many others.

The visitors of this lovely small festival will be able to taste orange flavoured salty and sweet delicacies, but also to buy delicious food products, jams, cakes, cookies, as well as various handicrafts, souvenirs, jewellery etc.

This is the fifteenth festival organised by NGO Ruke and successfully managed by Maja Erenji Hare Braun and Milina Kovačević. The result of their long-standing persevering engagement of all members of the association to promote healthy lifestyles as well as creativity and entrepreneurship is branding products such as orange jam, fig jam and ginger jam, as well as and pomegranate juice. These products are often ordered as "edible souvenirs" from other cities, not only from Herceg Novi.

The Small Orange Festival is a beautiful and dreamy story of Herceg Novi that you just don’t want to miss! You can find more information on how Orange Flavour Will Spice Up the Jubilee 50^th Mimosa Festival at TMN’s dedicated page.

22 January 2019 - Danilovgrad is already a huge construction site. And the President of this Municipality, Zorica Kovačević, says it is going to be even more so. She announced numerous projects worth millions – from the construction of apartments for the citizens who mostly need it, 10-million EUR worth investment of the “Voli Trade” Company which plans to open a mall in this town, opening of the lounge and a service of the MAN company, as well as the construction of the main drain and construction of the new and reconstruction of existing roads. She claims that they are continually reducing the unemployment and that numerous investors are planning to move their business to Danilovgrad and thus create new jobs.

She adds that the existing sewerage system will be reconstructed. Also, the new one will be built.

“Reconstruction of the road across Martinići was planned to be undertaken. Also, the Government’s capital projects, such as the reconstruction of the old road Danilovgrad-Podgorica, go in our favor. Preparation works for the reconstruction of four lanes of the road Podgorica-Danilovrgrad are in progress. This year we will finish the project for the reconstruction of the “old road” Danilovgrad-Markovina and the tender for the reconstruction of the regional road Danilovgrad-Glava Zete will be called too,” says Kovačević.

Better supply of electric energy will the thanks to the reconstruction of low and high-voltage network.

“By the end of February, the project for the construction of apartments for retired persons will have been finished. The price of one square meter will be from 300 to 350 EUR, and that is a very reasonable price. We have provided funds for the reconstruction and construction of pipes and their removal,” says the President of the Municipality of Danilovgrad.

She proudly announces the opening of MAN lounge and service, an investment worth more than 3 million EUR, where around 15 persons from Danilovgrad will be employed.

“The construction of the new fire fighting brigade service has started as well as the reconstruction of the premises of Red Cross. Next week, the construction for the auxiliary field of FC Istra will begin. The construction of 50 apartments for the Armed Forces of Montenegro has begun too. “Bemax” company will build new grinder plant, where people will be able to find a job,” says Kovačević.

As she says, they are working hard on reducing unemployment.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

January 23, 2019 - We came to Skaljari. Our tour around the villages of Boka Bay has arrived at one of the most characteristic points when it comes to the typical culture of living through time. Skaljari was not a naval settlement, not even a fishermen village. It was, and on some points still tries to be, just an ordinary village, characteristic for agriculture and families living together and supporting each other in good and bad times. Also, its inhabitants were well-known craftsmanship. 

Today, unfortunately, Skaljari is best known for the criminal group "Skaljarski klan", but this is not one of the topics we will be dealing with in this story. We found ourselves a better company. Our host in Skaljari is Dolores Fabian, president of the NGO Ke Nova, who advocates preserving the local tradition of Kotor and Boka Bay through organising numerous events and programs focusing on the material and immaterial cultural heritage of this region.

Copyright: Dux Radio

 

Judging by the churches in Skaljari, the oldest church of St. Dujam dates from the end of the 12th century, this settlement started to develop even earlier. The name Skaljari comes from Skalja, a local expression for the stone that characterised the Skaljari landscape before the village became the suburban settlement. The church of St Dujam has recently been restored and re-dedicated to the saint, patron of the town of Split, and its additional cultural value, according to Dolores Fabian, lies in the fact that it is the sanctuary dedicated to St. Dujam on the most southerly point at all.

Copyright: Boka News

 

The so-called "Imperial Way", built on the project of Josip Slade from Trogir from 1879 to 1884, passes through the settlement. According to the local legend, the engineer Slade was so enchanted by the beauty of the Montenegrin princess Milena Petrović that he had designed a part of that road in a shape of the beginning letter of her name - large M.  Terrain configuration suggests that this path didn't need sharp curves, which makes this legend closer to the truth.

Skaljari and Kotor in 1929

 

"Times are changing, the way of life changes. New people are coming, the structure of the population changes, which all affect that old, traditional lifestyle loses. However, we are struggling through the manifestations and events that characterise our town to have Skaljari survive as it once was, recognisable above all by the women who worked in the gardens and then sold their vegetables on the Kotor's market and on," says our host, Dolores Fabian.

Skaljarice with one Konavoka at the Skaljarska Pjaca, Old Town of Kotor

 

"You know that one of the squares in Kotor carries the name “Skaljarska Pjaca“ (Skaljari's market). There once the villagers from Skaljari sold their agricultural products. As for every market, there was a characteristic "Susur" - a glance and overwhelming, averting, a lot of "cuddling". " Dolores with members of the organisation, through the various manifestations tries to save the sounds, smells and tastes of old times. In this sense, the most interesting is the tourist event "Kotor's Time Machine" which is held during the summer months by the squares of the Old Town of Kotor. One of the segments of this program is exactly at the square named by Skaljari where young girls perform the sketches prepared by Dolores, taking care that every detail of the young "Skaljarice", their folk costumes, the vegetables they "sell" on their booths, corresponds to what once was.

"The one who knows Skaljari from the story, if not out of life, when he is walking in a village, will not find what we have in our stories. It will be difficult even to notice the most important structures in the village, some house of an important family or a church of St. Luka, celebrated by inhabitants of Skaljari as their forefather. Formerly small dry stone walls that have kept the gardens are now being the supporting walls of some new buildings. So, the look of Skaljari is completely different. We strive to bring the old life of Skaljari and Skaljarice through the scene closer to all those who came to live with us. We want to inspire them to act at least for a moment as true Skaljari," explains Dolores, adding that the activities of NGO Ke Nova are held during the main tourist season as well as in the winter months:

21 January 2019 - Culture Trip, a global tech startup that inspires people to explore the world’s culture and creativity, has recently posted an article on the list of “Overlooked European Countries Not Enough People Visit” and listed Montenegro as a stunning tourist destination!

Montenegro's sparkling coastline seems to be drawing visitors more than ever since the tiny, picturesque island of Sveti Stefan was turned into a luxury hotel. This glamorous holiday destination appears to have become a hit with tourists from all over the world.

As explained by the Culture Trip journalist India Irving, tourists nowadays search for destinations that offer fewer crowds and less expensive flights. According to her guide, by visiting a country that isn’t as popular as, for example, France or Italy, you get an opportunity to “discover a place you haven’t already seen a million photos of”.

“Of course these destinations will be busy because this is still Europe after all,” Culture Club explains, but the “unpopular” destinations have their unique charms. The article suggests the most pristine beaches, amazing sceneries, majestic islands, dreamy villages, breath-taking castles and places known for hospitality and generosity. The list offers some picturesque locations that you need to plan your trip to ASAP!

Taking into consideration the luxurious resorts, seaside retreats and mountain getaways that make the small country a stunning place for a holiday, India Irving recommends that this year, you skip Croatia and head to Montenegro. “Its old towns will bring you back to another time, and its nightlife will be fun too, without sending you home needing another vacation. The sea is stunning, the people friendly, and the food healthy and delicious!”

Aside from Montenegro, the List of “11 Overlooked European Countries Not Enough People Visit” includes Austria, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland and Romania.

22 January 2019 - On January 22, Ambassador of Great Britain to Montenegro, Her Excellency Ms Alison Camp met with the Mayor of Herceg Novi Stevan Katić and his associates.

The focus of the first official discourse between Katić and Camp were the potentials for the development of Herceg Novi, the vision of local government, current and planned projects, the relationship between local and state authorities, and current investments in the field of tourism.

The Ambassador pointed out that Herceg Novi is a city of significant potentials, which development should be carefully planned. In this regard, the representatives of the Municipality informed Her Excellency about the adoption of the Spatial Plan of the Municipality, as well as about the activities and difficulties in that area.

During the meeting, Ambassador Camp explained that her communication with British tour operators led to the conclusion of what obstacles British citizens who want to visit Herceg Novi have to overcome - crowds at the Montenegrin border with Croatia and registration of residence. Bearing in mind that the majority of tourists from Great Britain arrive at Herceg Novi from the Dubrovnik Airport, Camp and Katić agreed that it is necessary to resolve the issue of summer crowds at the border with Croatia, to which the Embassy will strive to draw attention.

President Katić said that British tourists annually have between 15.000 and 20.000 overnight stays in Herceg Novi and hope that this number will increase in the coming years. During the meeting, he particularly focused on the opening of new luxury hotels and marinas in the territory of Herceg-Novi Municipality. These projects, which positively affect the reputation of Herceg Novi, make the city a more attractive destination for citizens of Great Britain.

President Katić introduced the Ambassador to the rich social and cultural life of Herceg Novi and invited Her Excellency to visit Herceg Novi during February and March and be the guest of the city during the 50th Mimosa Festival.

January 21, 2019 - The Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi scheduled a meeting with the workers in the tourist business of the city. The topic of the meeting to be held on Wednesday, 23 January, will be the presentation of the marketing system and the creation of city tourist offer for the 2019 season with a focus on the events.

January 20, 2019 - Ski Center Vucje near Niksic is a great ski destination in Montenegro if you are looking for a ski resort that will meet the needs of the whole family. Unlike the most popular ski destinations in Montenegro, the ski resorts Kolasin or Zabljak, where numerous facilities are out of walking distance, Vucje offers a program to enjoy for the whole family in one place. Once you arrive here and park your car, you will not need to use it again.

Ski Centre Vucje has two ski slopes. Apart from providing experienced skiers with an excellent 1200m long recreational trail, Vucje is an attractive destination for your children who are not yet experienced enough on skis. The Ciciban track, 120 meters long, equipped with a baby ski lift, is located on a gentle slope that is ideal for the first skiing steps.

Copyright: mladiniksica.me

 

"Vucje is 20 km away from Niksic, at an altitude of 1300 meters. The motel has an accommodation capacity of 104 beds, organized in comfortable apartments and rooms, equipped with a bathroom, cable television, and internet. We, above all, offer the warmth and strive to make our services as good as possible, to make our guests feel satisfied. As for children and beginners, we have our ski instructors, which are available to guests throughout the entire ski season. Instructors are here every day from 10 am to 4 pm, and the instruction fee is 15 euro/hour, but our instructors stay longer with their candidates if needed. At this pace of training, for every child, three or four days are enough to learn the basics of skiing, which they need to continue to enjoy themselves in the snow."

The winter tourism center Vucje developed gradually but with great care that every detail is in line with tradition. In addition to male and female Montenegrin folk costumes, in the restaurant and foyer area, you can see old pieces of furniture of a typical Montenegrin mountain house, among which the warmth and beauty of the fireplace built in the traditional style.

Copyright: travelmontenegro.me

 

"In cooperation with the Niksic Tourist Organization, in recent years we have organized free transport of guests from Podgorica and the coast, who come to spend one day with us, enjoy the snow and the winter fun. The weather did not go our way, because even though there was enough snow, there were strong crowds that set off the opening of the recreational trail. Now everything is in function, so we can plan a one-day excursion in our direction, which we will inform the public in time," announced the manager of Ski Center Vucje, Marija Lazovic.

As in previous years, the organizers will provide free transportation to Vucje from all the cities of Montenegro. Marija says this year, unlike the last year's edition, Snow Dance will be organized by late February or early March, to make sure that snow is enough to prepare challenging and dynamic snowboarding tracks.

18 January 2019 - The winter season is at its peak and favorable weather conditions have cheered up all those who intend to enjoy the tourism offer of central and northern Montenegro. The President of the Tourism Committee within the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Dragan Ivančević, reminded of the fact the weather certainly affects the number of tourists over summer, but the winter season has been something completely different.

“The fact this winter in Montenegro is going to be snowy allows us to be optimistic and proud to say that we are going to exceed expectations when it comes to the outcomes of this year’s winter season. But, if we want to seriously deal with winter tourism, we have to stop counting only on ‘God’s willingness’,” said Ivančević.

According to him, the greatest shortcomings of the tourism offer are lack of adequate accommodation capacities – high-end hotels with pools and wellness centers, infrastructure, qualified human resources etc.

However, good planning and promotion can open numerous possibilities for adequate development of mountain centers, he said.

From December 2017 to March 2018, Montenegro recorded 115,311 arrivals, which was by 30% higher compared to the 2016-17 season. In addition, there were 255,729 overnight stays, which was by almost 17% higher compared to 2016-17.

These figures, Ivančević added, have been quite impressive. According to him, all investments of over several million euros in the infrastructure of winter centers are pretty much cost-effective.