About us

Hello and welcome (or should we say dobrodošli!) to Undiscovered Montenegro, your go to adventure travel specialist in the Balkans.

We’re Ben and Emma Heywood, the adventure-loving husband and wife behind this operation, and we’re thrilled to have you here with us in Europe’s most unexplored corner. 

When we landed in Montenegro in 2008 as frivolous travellers without kids, this beautiful country stopped us in our tracks. Its jagged mountains footed by blue and green lakes could easily be mistaken for the Canadian Rockies while miles of unspoiled wilderness resemble an African game reserve. 

Having visited more than 50 countries worldwide we’re not easy to impress, so you can trust we’ve selected only the most breathtaking locations for our holiday activities, with the help of our expert local guides. 

You won’t find big, brash resorts and double decker tour buses on our trips. We do small group travel, community tourism and family-run establishments – including our very own Villa Miela, where it all began. Sitting at the heart of Lake Skadar National Park, it’s the base for several of our holidays, from yoga retreats to kayak safaris.

Like our family, our holiday offering has expanded. We now run tours in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia through our sister site Undiscovered Balkans.

We pride ourselves on being a small business and we personally handle all bookings, so rest assured you will never be on hold to an operator when you get in touch. 

When you travel with us, you’re officially part of our ever expanding Balkan family and as a family, we take care of one another. That’s why a percentage of our takings go back to the communities we work with. You can learn more about that here.

We look forward to seeing you in the Balkans soon!

Ben and Emma

Meet the team

 


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Heard of the Alps? No, not those ones. 😉We mean the Balkan Alps crossing Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. Much less known , just as extraordinary!We reckon the 'Accursed Mountains' offer some of the best hiking to be had in Europe, so we're excited to confirm an exclusive week-long expedition there this August that's guaranteed to run. 🙌Jump aboard our small friendly group of adventurers for:🥾 The chance to follow the epic Peaks of the Balkans trail with a local expert, crossing borders by foot from Montenegro into Albania with special permission🥾 Breathtaking scenery with majestic 2,000m plus peaks, lush pastures and crystal clear alpine lakes🥾 Fascinating culture, from remote villages time forgot to Ottoman-era mosques and some pretty unique traditions (chances of being offered a shot of strong spirits to start your day are excellent!)🥾 A challenging adventure that rewards – exhilarating hikes, steep ascents, rocky paths, narrow mountain passes, views to knock your socks off🥾 Wildlife encounters – eyes peeled for chamois, eagles or even an elusive wolf!🥾 Hut-to-hut stays that benefit the community – our accommodation partners, all locals, will welcome you with open arms and be only too happy to share their culture and stories with you.Book your spot now! We only have a limited number of spaces on this trip, so message us or visit the link below for full details. 👉 undiscoveredbalkans.com/tours/via-dinarica-hiking-montene#undiscoveredbalkans##undiscoveredmontenegrod#peaksofthebalkanso#montenegroe#albania##hikingadventuresia #hikingadventures See MoreSee Less
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1 week ago

The sounds of nature are all around us in the wilds of Montenegro, and we love to hear them! 🐾Now guests can see more of our wildlife thanks to the new trail camera we've installed at @villamiela, our Lake Skadar base.Among our first nocturnal captures – fox 🦊 hedgehog 🦔 and of course Nora, our rescue dog. 😍We're going to be keeping our 'Miela-cam' eyes peeled though – because Golden Jackal, Wild Cat, Pine Marten, Badger and Wild Boar are all species that inhabit our patch of paradise.As part of our mission to help our guests better connect with nature, we're also asking them to help us track ‘wildlife spots of the week' on a shared blackboard. Our last group really got into it, logging 'snake', 'lizard' and'hoopoe', and not forgetting our resident wild tortoises. 🐢 We'd love to hear in the comments what creatures fascinated any of our former guests reading this. We still have some limited availability to join us our activity holidays at Villa Miela this Spring and Autumn.Get in touch to book your stay at the link below. 👉🏽 undis#undiscoveredmontenegroo#VillaMielactivity-holiday-lake-skadar/#undiscoveredmontenegro #villamiela See MoreSee Less
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3 weeks ago

Our first adventurers of 2024 just left us after an incredible week exploring Lake Skadar by foot, fork, and paddle. 😎 Now, it's your turn!Imagine yourself on a spring hike surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, or quietly kayaking across a vast pool of tranquil water in the company of majestic dalmatian pelicans and graceful grey herons. 🛶 Our lucky guests have been basking in perfect weather all week, with warm, sunny 20°C days that made the wild swimming easy. ☀️Don't miss out! We have a few coveted places left on our lake adventures for this May. Visit the link below to find out more and secure your spot! 👉🏽 undiscoveredmontenegro.com/tours/multi-activity-holiday-lake#undiscoveredmontenegromontenegro See MoreSee Less
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3 weeks ago

Last Chance: Yoga Retreat with a Twist this May! 🧘🥾💦Do you love yoga, nature and outdoor adventures? Join us this May for a very special retreat in Montenegro at the spectacular Lake Skadar National Park. Led by the UK&#0Yoga with FionaFiona, this is your opportunity to unwind and explore, with just 5 spots left. Bring your partner or friend, or join our friendly group as a solo.🌿 What's Special?– Expert Guidance: Daily hatha/vinyasa sessions with Fiona, a 200hr RYT certified instructor.– Scenic Serenity: Practice yoga on a hillside terrace with breathtaking mountain/lake views.– Outdoor Adventures: We'll take you hiking, wild swimming, and kayaking.– Gourmet Vegetarian Cuisine: Feast on delicious, nourishing meals crafted by our expert cCooks of Kotor Cooks of Kotor.📅 Departure Date: May 5th, 2024🏡 StayVilla Miela Lake Retreatla Lake Retreat, a stone's throw away from the pristine lake.This is more than a retreat; it's a journey towards self-discovery and new friendships. With only 5 spots remaining, secure your place now and be part of an intimate group of 10 guests.DM us or visit our website to book your spot.👉 undiscoveredmontenegro.com/tours/montenegro#undiscoveredmontenegro#VillaMielar#montenegroo#yogaretreat ##yogawithfionagaRetreat #YogaWithFiona See MoreSee Less
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4 weeks ago

What a great beginning to our season yesterday! 🥳Our first tour of 2024 was absolutely wild – we spotted so many incredible animals along the way, from snakes to yellow-bellied toads and a giant emperor moth! But our real highlight? Nine fearless guests jumping into the freezing cold water at a swimming hole near Lake Skadar 💦 (Wim Hof would be proud 😄). From the youngest to the oldest, every single one of us enjoyed a quick dive in the crystal clear river. Ken, our Landrover Defender, turned into an effective clothes dryer for wetsuits during our well-earned lunch👙 (the freshest of trout, thanks to our dear friends Duško and Ljubica)The week is far from over, and there's still a whole world of exploration awaiting us#undiscoveredmontenegronegro See MoreSee Less
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Holidays

Man enjoying Multi activity holiday swimming in a crystal clear, bright blue rock pool near Lake Skadar
£200pp off!

7 Day Activity Holiday at Lake Skadar

Our original adventure loved by everyone! Kayaking, hiking & wild-swimming…
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Moderate
Winter holiday guests snowshoeing through winter landscape to camp
£50pp off!

7 Day Winter Activity Holiday in Montenegro

Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing on the alpine slopes of Montenegro!
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Moderate