Food tourism is an increasingly popular travel trend with many tourists keen to include gastronomic experiences in their holiday. Food and travel go naturally hand in hand and sampling a country’s traditional food and local produce offers an authentic insight into its culture and people.
Abundant local produce
Montenegro’s traditional cuisine is influenced by its natural landscape. Free range sheep roam the mountain pastures in the north, where a hearty meal of slow cooked lamb is the speciality. Highland villages also produce some of the finest smoked ham and cheese in the country, notably Njeguski prosciutto. Lake Skadar is well-known for its carp and eel which is served fried or smoked and the freshest shellfish dominates menus in the coastal regions. Food Fact: There are over 400,000 olive trees along the Montenegrin coastline, a small handful of which are over 1,000 years old.
Wine tasting opportunities.
Montenegro’s climate is ideal for wine production and the country is dotted with vineyards, most of which are family run. Passionate winemakers produce a diversity of wines from classic Merlots and Chardonnays to indigenous specialties such as Vranac: a full-bodied red wine. Many of the wineries are open for tastings. Even if the winemaker doesn’t speak any English there’s often someone in the family who can.
Wine Fact: Cemovsko Field, one of Europe’s largest vineyards, is located beside Lake Skadar. It covers almost 2,300 hectares and proudly champions the indigenous grape varieties.
Top gastronomic experiences.
Njeguši village visit
Njeguši is Montenegro’s food capital, and a village visit should be on every foodie’s must-do list. An unassuming traditional village located on the slopes of Mount Lovcen, Njeguši is famous for its melt-in-the-mouth prosciutto. This highly prized dry cured ham takes an incredible six months to produce, following a salting, hanging, and smoking process that hasn’t changed for centuries.
Wine tour in Lake Skadar
The surrounds of Lake Skadar are dotted with small family-run wineries producing the country’s best-known indigenous wine: Vranac. It’s easy to combine a visit to a local vineyard (or two) with a boat trip on the lake, or even cycle between vineyards and villages. A lakeside BBQ of fresh carp accompanied with a glass of local wine is a must.
Top gastronomic experiences.
Cheese farm visit in Durmitor National Park
Cheese lovers should head to Durmitor National Park, a region of sheep farmers and family-run cheese producers. It is possible to visit a small cheese farm, learn the secrets behind cheese production and what makes the Durmitor produce unique. There will, of course, be the opportunity to sample the farm’s cheese.
Homestays.
Staying overnight in a family home in a rural village is an excellent way to experience Montenegrin hospitality and sample authentic local cuisine. These carefully selected families are willing to share their culture and way of life with travellers and one of the best ways to do this is to prepare and share a homemade meal of traditional specialities.
For more information on Montenegro and the range of food and wine focused experiences on offer please get in touch with The Adventure Connection team: miskola@theadventureconnection.com