From Podgorica: Biogradska Gora NP & Moraca monastery&Canyon
Just 10 or 15 minutes after departure and leaving the city, we will immerse ourselves in another world, the canyon of the Morača river, which leaves you breathless with its cliffs and depth of over 1000 m. Driving for about 40 minutes with a couple of stops in the most interesting parts of the canyon, we will enjoy the view of the clear water of the river, and the canyon that the river have been carving through the limestone areas for centuries. After around 1 hour from the start of the tour, we will reach one of the oldest and most interesting monasteries in Montenegro, the Morača Monastery. Built in the middle of the 13th century, for centuries a religious but also an educational center of a part of the country, known for its significant role in the liberation of Montenegro from the Ottoman Empire, it will tell us a lot about the history of the country and the way of life in these parts. Built in a very interesting place, where the river flows, the stream, in the immediate vicinity of the waterfall, with a nice yard, surrounded by old forests is a wonderful sight to see. And the interior of the monastery is a story itself. Frescoes and icons made by the best artists will bring you closer to the aesthetic scope of Byzantine artistic expression. After visiting the monastery, we continue to the north of Montenegro, a region known for its high mountains, old forests, rivers, glacial lakes and the mountain lifestyle. We will enjoy a panoramic drive through the mountainous regions and along the banks of the famous Tara River until we reach the Biogradska Gora National Park and its pearl, Biogradsko Lake. The park is particularly famous for its old forest, one of only a few larger intact forests in Europe, rich flora and beautiful glacial lakes. We will enjoy walking along the easy path around the lake, admire the impressive examples of woody flora, discover other typical representatives and breathe fresh mountain air. The park is also a great place for a picnic or tasting local specialties in a nearby restaurant after a nice walk. In the end, before we head back to Podgorica, it would be a shame not to visit and get to know the Montenegrin mountain center, the charming town of Kolašin, famous for its ski resort, Bjelasica Mountain, tango festival, significant historical role in the struggle for the liberation of Montenegro, but also for quality alcoholic drinks and delicious homemade food.