Kolasin is an official winter tourist center, but in summer it can offer much to the most demanding guests, as claimed by the locals who love and know their hometown.
Less or more affirmed natural beauties, cultural-historical monuments and quality gastronomic offerings, they explain, are the reasons why Kolasin should be visited.
Mountain guide Zeljko Pejovic says that the five top destinations of this region are - the canyon Mrtvica in the spring, the source of the River Moraca, the rainforest Biogradska gora, the Regional Park Komovi and the canyon Bogutovski potok.
"These are all places all tourists love. There are plenty of woods and water, and these are the best factors for relaxation and enjoyment. I have been a guide for a long time and I have been convinced that these places are more interesting to tourists and are beginning to be known on the tourist map of Kolasin and Montenegro."
The beauty of Bobutova canyon, he says, has long been unknown. The canyon is abundant and the breathtaking part is a vast gallery where both sides of the canyon are almost united.
Journalist Drazen Draskovic offered an original recommendation to tourists, claiming that Kolasin’s top-tourist story has several "lesser-known addresses".
Mountain scenery (Photo: Željko Pejović)
First of all, a sports hall, where, for days, temperatures have been 18 to 20 degrees. Ideal for training, for sports tourism, tourists can enjoy watching Montenegro national team training, European league team Asvel and Buducnost Voli. They will all have training this summer in Kolasin. Then, there is the main street in Kolasin. It is not known when it is more attractive during the summer - in the morning when you go for a coffee, around noon, or in the evening when everyone goes to take a stroll on the promenade.
Kapetanovo lake is also his recommendation for the "blue water as a rock in Rovci", as well as the inn Tresnjevik, on the border between Kolasin and Andrijevica.
Lesser known to the public is the magic of the Bogutovo stream (Photo: Zeljko Pejovic)
In this inn in the mountain, Draskovic says, interesting stories about meetings with Czech and Polish hikers can be heard, while the view is taken up in Stavna and Komovi.
The "tourist circle", he says, which would mean leaving Kolasin and going to the mountain Bjelasica, via Bendovac, Dolova Lalevic, Biogradsko lake and then by the Adriatic highway would be attractive to tourists.
Pesica lake (Foto: Željko Pejović)
He also recommends obligatory breaks in the restaurants "Dobre vode" or "Paradise on Tara". Kolasin is more interesting in summer than in winter, says the head of the Cultural-Art Society "Mijat Masković" Davor Sedlarevic. The city would be best shown to tourists if they would allow them to see Biogradska gora, the monastery Moraca and Cirilovac, walk to the ethnic houses on the mountains and enjoy the summer offers of two ski-centers.
"With its spiritual, historical and cultural value, the monastery of Moraca is one of the symbols of the whole region, and Cirilovac is relatively newer, but well positioned with its recognizable, little and mystical, spiritual content. Our mountains are not too big and are therefore more accessible to tourists who are not physically prepared for various efforts. There is an increasing number of qualified guides, and walking tours can be organized along with camping, horseriding and the like.
A lot of obstacles await in the canyon (Foto: Željko Pejović)
For those who like a bit more adrenaline, the canyon Mrtvica is recommended. The founder of the sport fly-fishing club "Maniro" Mile Lazarevic says that in summer one should not miss Pesica Lake and katun Jecmen do in Sinjavina.
"I recommend Pesica lake because of its unusual beauty and legends related to it. Nearby are also katuni and villagers, who know a lot about the history of this area. Katuni in Sinjavina is special in many ways, and tourists may find them interesting because of the traditional way of life of the cattle breeders. "
From kacamak and cicvara to blueberries from their own hands. It is unfair that the gastronomic offer in Kolasin is linked only to kacamak, the leafy cheese. Pejovic explains that the quality and diversity of food in this area always delights tourists. In addition to kacamak and cicvara, tourists prefer trout, lamb, veal “ispod saca”. Draskovic would offer guests a "bite or a slice of the mountain", in addition to a rich offer at the restaurants.
"On the mountain, everything is different, more delicious, more unique."
Lazarevic argues that tourists should not leave Kolasin until they taste the lamb cooked in milk or priganice with honey.
The canyon is easy to reach, followed by an adventure
Pejovic says the advantage of the canyons in Kolasin is that the entrance to them is easily reached by car.
They meet the demands, he argues, of the most demanding canyoning enthusiasts. Among the fans of this sport in the world, explains the guide, is a division into canyons with and without water.
There are many obstacles, ranging from large waterfalls to strong currents, large boulders of rocks that have fallen and hindered the road, trees that closed the canyon, etc. The challenges are the most interesting part of canyoning. It is a sport that, albeit less physically demanding than mountaineering, requires continuous mental engagement - concentration and problemsolving. "
Text by Dragana Scepanovic, on July 7th, 2019, read more at Vijesti
