Meet Ana, tour leader for our Montenegro Family Adventures

Given that Undiscovered Balkans started life in Montenegro, it feels only right to introduce you to the woman leading the way on our Montenegro family adventure. Meet Ana; a true local, and the kind of companion who knows every bend in the road, hidden trail and story worth telling.

We chat with Ana in winter when she’s in Podgorica resting and recharging before the busy months ahead (which seem to start earlier every year). Ana has spent years guiding travellers through Montenegro, first on cultural tours, and now on active family holidays that take in Via ferrata, kayaking through the Tara Canyon or hiking Montenegro’s wild terrain. In summer she bases herself in Kotor.

When guests arrive, Ana always tells them: “By the end of this trip I want you to teach me something I didn’t know. I’m local here, but you’re local somewhere else. Let’s swap stories.”

Tell us a little bit about you. What inspired you to become an adventure guide?

I trained as an ambassador in Podgorica, but I started working as a culture tour guide because I love Montenegro and wanted to share this love. In many ways, I’m still an ambassador.  Then, I leapt at the chance to work on Undiscovered Balkans’ adventure tours because it offered so much variety. One day I’ll be on the coast, the next in the mountains, the day after watching pelicans on Lake Skadar. I still try to teach Montenegrin culture along the way. I tell stories linking to the nature, geography and history around us, or whatever fits the journey we’re on.

What is your favourite thing about being an adventure guide?

I love the 7-day structure because I get to stay longer with a group and we see more places together. Family trips are always fun because they already have a team dynamic which I can build on. Plus, working with kids keeps me in touch with the next generation. One time, I asked a family with young girls to make me a wedding playlist. For the rest of the trip, they showed me all their music and the car was a moving party! 

What’s your favourite place in the region and why?

Durmitor. These mountains are so timeless and powerful. You have to be strong to climb them – they demand respect. No matter from which angle you approach Durmitor, there’s always something spectacular to see: the Tara Canyon, glacial lakes, hiking, zip-lines or wild swimming.

I know the roads through these mountains by heart. I can always predict the exact bend where guests will have their first ‘wow’ moment.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time (if you have any!)?

In winter, I rest, reset, get back into fitness and find a routine. I still love spending time outdoors, especially at the end of October or early November. This is my favourite time of year in Montenegro because the light and colours are so incredible.

Related:

• Meet our co-founder Emma 
• Meet Aurora, our Albania adventure guide
• How fit do you need to be for an active holiday? (plus 8-week training plan)

What Montenegrin food & drink should people try?

Our food is pretty healthy; even though there’s alot of meat and cheese and meals are big, it is still very organic and not processed. On my tours we often go shopping to a local grocery store or green market so guests can see what novel produce is on offer that they can’t get back home. Then we cook something together with fresh ingredients. 

That said, on days out, I always bring classic Balkan snacks (while being mindful of allergies): Plazma biscuits, ajvar, Eurokrem ‘nutella’ spread, Smoki peanut snacks and Bananica chocolate bars. They’re what we grew up with so I can tell stories using these as props.

What’s one myth about Montenegro that you’re keen to bust?

“That Montenegrins are lazy! It’s not true – we’re very active people! Our turbulent history plays a role. This region has seen so much change that deep down we’re always ready to move, to survive. You’ll notice how early we get up for example. Montenegrins are at heart brave, heroic and it only takes a small amount to activate us.”