7 independent reviews for Painting holiday in Montenegro
Reviews for Painting holiday in Montenegro
Ruth Kirkby review 27 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I honestly couldn’t say, there was so much. Breathtaking scenery, great accommodation, excellent tuition, wonderful hosts, delicious food.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take something warm to wear in the evening, and stout footwear for some of the trips out. Don’t forget to take swimming gear as there as some wild swimming opportunities.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - we dined on locally produced food, and ate at a local farmhouse one day. Recycling facilities were available at the villa. Emma & Ben the owners are heavily involved in the preservation of the Dalmatian pelican, which has increased pelican numbers enormously. The whole emphasis was on preserving the wonderful environment in which the villa sits, we were surrounded by wonderful wildlife and wildflowers.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An excellent holiday. I really enjoyed the lovely villa, the painting opportunities and the great company. We visited some lovely places and really had a taste of the real Montenegro. Emma the host spoke fluent Montenegrin which was extremely helpful. I would highly recommend this holiday!Helen Laycock review 25 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The scenery and the pelicans- amazing2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take binoculars3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
100% in every aspect4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentDenise de Pauw review 25 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The beautiful scenery around lake skadar2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Contact the hosts if you need clarification about anything, as some instructions about equipment don't apply to all holiday types3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the hosts work with local families and businesses, and also are actively involved in conservation, e.g. of the pelican colony and keeping the countryside clean and garbage free.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, lovely location, food, people, art teacher and generally would recommend!Catriona Gibson review 23 Sep 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The landscape2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take your swim things3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people benefited from our custom in cafes, buying souvenirs and boat trip4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was amazingMargaret Stevens review 22 Sep 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Adel and Tobi, our hosts who worked so hard to look after us all and made everything run so smoothly. Karen, the art tutor was excellent and very generous in her sharing of techniques and skills and knowledge. The itinerary (programme) was very varied and enabled us to see and experience so much of Montenegro’s beauty whilst also getting the opportunity to sketch and paint our many glimpses with expert advice on hand whenever we needed it. It was suitable for beginners as well as those with a lot more experience. The outings were varied and enabled us to really start to discover Montenegro’s beauty which was a lovely surprise for me. The food was good, both the meals cooked by Elaine in the house as well as the variety of meals we had out in restaurants and in the home of a village family who made wine. There was freedom to make the most of the opportunities of staying close to the mountains and Lake Skadar.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Some of us had to stay in another guest house ten minutes further up the road which meant you couldn’t just pop back into your room to get something or clean your teeth after breakfast. Tobi and Adel were very kind about driving us to and from the house when it was raining. You need walking shoes/sandals with good grips and waterproofs. There is only one small shop (supermarket), with very limited supplies, in the village about 15 minutes walk down the hill. WiFi is not always very reliable. The pre-holiday information was sometimes a bit lacking and/or inconsistent - not everyone got the same information. If you have questions, do ask.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We used local people and facilities quite often and were taken to homes and farmhouses where we could buy a variety of home produced products.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend this painting holiday which also offers enough activities and interest for non-painting partners or friends (at a reduced price on request).Judith Dawson review 24 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Waking in the morning to the most beautiful view through my window of Lake Skadar in the distance, framed by mountains, was unforgettable. Also the short trek across the river to the natural pool of icy water fed by two waterfalls was well worth the effort - despite the water's temperature. My first view close up to the lake where we settled for a morning's sketching brought me to tears; it was so lovely, peaceful and a balm for the soul.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with an open mind, travel light, take insect repellent and cream for use after the inevitable bites (I attract any flying bitey insect), cozzie (or two) and a lightweight travel towel. All listed in the pre-holiday info but essential. Depending on your painting ability, a good quality double-page water-colour sketch pad and small paint box with the essential colours (primary) plus anything else recommended, but I used these the most, and of course your camera or good photo-taking 'phone. Rubber shoes for stoney beaches and a decent pair of walking shoes for uneven surfaces. You won't climb a mountain but you could walk on some challenging tracks; be prepared!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We spent half a day on a local small-holding owned by a friend of our host. She prepared us a prolific and tasty Montenegrin lunch. We bought locally sourced products; honey, liqueur made from local pomegranates, figs, jam etc . We ate at local restaurants if we weren't eating at the villa where our chef Elaine conjured up delicious meals every day; never the same breakfast! And all made with local produce. Recyling was carried out rigorously, the lovely salt-wate swimming pool was a delight and so healthy for the skin.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
PERFECT! The best of all my art workshops, and I've attended a few - all great. The other guests were delightful and our artist/tutor, Karen Pearson was friendly, talented, fun AND an inspiring teacher. Finally the in-house team who welcomed us warmly, took care of our every need and request eagerly and efficiently, was superlative. The only complaint I have is that Rosy, the house black cat, would never come to my lap - I LOVE cats and have two - she always went to the one guest who was NOT a cat-lover. It was amusing. I recommend the holiday whole-heartedly - thank you again to all who made it so memorable.Carolyn Dixon review 24 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I loved the Villa and its scenic location overlooking the expansive valley vistas which changed in each light. The owner Ben and his young international support team were always upbeat and kind. I miss the mournful calls of the golden jackals down in the valley.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I have some mobility problems but I was enabled to join all activities except one- a walk into a waterfall area that I declined.Outstanding support and an enjoyable and instructive inaugural painting holiday.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used a local taxi driver for return trip to Dubrovnic..The day spent painting at a local farm and the accompanying lunch provided by the owner was memorable.The food at the villa was outstanding, healthy, varied and locally purchased.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was a memorable painting holiday. The other participants were delightful,adventurous folk and the staff were very considerate.We learned a lot from our teacher, Karen who catered effortlessly to all painting needs and levels.Holiday Reviews
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