Family Multi Activity holiday at Lake Skadar
“We had a perfect time at Villa Miela! Tobi and Adél were the perfect hosts – so sweet, welcoming and attentive and very knowledgeable about everything local. The vibe was very relaxed and just felt like being on a big family holiday. The villa is absolutely gorgeous, overlooking a lush green valley and even spotting Lake Skadar between the mountains. We had so much fun on the activity days, and saw so much wildlife! Tobi and Adél made sure that everyone could be involved…great food with local families, unbelievable wild swimming spots and an absolutely delightful group of fellow guests.” Frix Rode, June 2024
2025 departure dates: Any Sunday late-March to end-Oct.
It’s the holiday which started it all! In 2008, a young and child-free Ben and Emma were sitting in their home admiring the surrounding natural beauty of Lake Skadar National Park, baffled that nobody had heard of it and even the locals doubted anybody would want to visit. Good job they didn’t listen and decided to launch a holiday there! This same holiday then evolved along with their growing family (three children of their own!).
Step inside Villa Miela, a beautifully restored farmhouse in the sleepy village of Virpazar, and prepare for a week of adventures – from hiking to wild swimming, kayaking to wine tasting, and everything in between.
The itinerary includes four activity days with one of our expert guides and two days free to explore more of amazing Montenegro by yourself, whether that’s with a day trip to Podgorica, a cycle ride around the national park using our complimentary bikes, or a dip in the Villa Miela pool overlooking the lake.
The exact agenda for the week is decided by all families together at our welcome dinner but you can get an idea of what you will be up to during your stay with our sample itinerary.
Is this holiday suitable for me?
A reasonable level of physical fitness and adventurous spirit is required for our 7-day multi activity holiday in Montenegro, but beyond that it’s suitable for everyone, from ages 5 to 82 (our youngest and oldest participants, respectively!).
Your Tour Leaders will of course adapt the itinerary to suit the group’s wants and needs.
Read more about our activity levels.
Book to Give Back
We’re big on keeping destinations as beautiful as they were when we found them. So when you book with us, a percentage of the money you pay will be donated to our chosen local environmental or community causes for the year.
Learn more about our Book to Give Back scheme and other responsible tourism initiatives here.
Your Hosts:
Tobi and Adel are the managers of Villa Miela Lake Retreat! Nature lovers and veteran travellers in the Balkans, they make all the magic happen at our Lake Skadar activity base, whether guiding tours, preparing healthy guest breakfasts, managing the retreat or researching new outdoor experiences. They speak fluent English, German and Hungarian and are learning Montenegrin!
British husband and wife Ben and Emma are the founders of Undiscovered Balkans and its sister company Undiscovered Montenegro. Both born and raised in the UK, Montenegro is their adopted homeland and they speak fluent Montenegrin/Serbian. Read their story.
Want to see more? Watch our video!
Sample Itinerary (there are LOADS of options!):
Day 1 – Arrival
Arrival at Virpazar from your chosen airport. There is a 3-course welcome dinner on Villa Miela’s terrace around 7pm so that we can all get to know each other and agree on the activities we’ll be doing during the week.
Day 2 – Explore & Discovery
An unforgettable car and hiking combination tour. We will drive past breathtaking views, hike to rock-pools for wild swimming, visit bat-inhabited caves before lunching at a locally run restaurant. We then jump back in the 4×4 for more stunning views, sometimes some bridge jumping, wild river swimming and then head off-road across a magnificent plain that would not look out of place in Africa. The breathtaking view from the ancient fort of Zabljak Crnojevića is our final stop before returning to Virpazar.
Day 3 – Kayaking safari
Suitable for all levels of fitness, this 4-5 hour kayak trip will take you across stunning mirrored waters from Murići on the southern shores, (also home to the lake’s best freshwater beach), with views up to the fabled peaks of Albania’s Accursed Mountains. You’ll have the lake all to yourself as you swim in crystal clear waters and visit the lake’s renowned 14th century island monastaries, all the while taking in the awesome views, varied bird-life and glorious solitude.
Beginners are welcome!
Day 4 – rest day
There’s so much to discover at Lake Skadar National Park! Take the complimentary bicycles out for a spin, try out some of the self-guided walking trails, head out to see the coast (only 30 minutes away) or chill out and play some boules in Villa Miela’s gardens.
Day 5 – Wild Swimming Lake Trip
Lake Skadar is a vast, beautiful body of water where the summer temperatures can reach a sultry 25C! Whether you love leaping off boats and diving platforms, chilling on nearby lake-side beaches or just soaking up the beauty of it all with a refreshing drink in hand, this is the way to see the parts of the lake we can’t reach by kayak!
Day 6 – Walnut Valley hike
Our favourite hike – this circular trail passes through ancient woodland, across arched Ottoman bridges and along riverside trails and old Roman caravan paths as it winds its way through one of Lake Skadar’s most beautiful valleys. We stop for wild swimming in natural spring-fed pools before hiking to the beautiful hillside village of Dupilo for lunch with a local family (extra cost applicable) – and then we top it all off with a visit to an amazing plunge pool and waterfall! This is unspoiled and undisturbed nature, with wild figs, herbs and tortoises in abundance! Best of all, you won’t have to share them with other tourists; this is our secret!
Day 7 – rest day
Day 8 – Departure
Prices are in GBP per person per week and include 7 nights’ self-catering accommodation at Villa Miela, a welcome dinner, four standard activities, some meals and complimentary use of mountain bikes. Flights are not included.
| ROOMS | April/October | May/June/September | July / August |
| En-suite double / twin / triple | £845pp | £895pp | £945pp |
| Double / Twin shared bathroom | £745pp | £745pp | £795pp |
| Single supplement | £150 | £200 | £250 |
Please note that all parties may share Villa Miela with other independent bookings. We can on occasion accept shorter stays pro-rata (eg, 3 nights, 2 activities for 50% of the normal price), but this is usually limited to late availability or special circumstances. We don’t offer accommodation-only stays – sorry!
The four activities run by us include all transport, translation, equipment and packed lunches where offered. Please note that all third party providers of food/wine are to be paid direct by the guests as part of our “no commission” policy to support the local economy.
Villa Miela
A beautifully renovated farmhouse with swimming pool, Villa Miela is the ideal base for guests on our Lake Skadar multi-activity holidays. With panoramic views and a prime location offering easy access to the lake’s southern and northern shores as well as Virpazar’s restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect place to stay for families, couples and groups of friends.
Make new travel buddies as you share the well stocked kitchen, gorgeous outdoor terrace, gas BBQ and swimming pool, or take over the whole complex if your group number is six or more (a supplement may be charged).
At a glance
- Sleeps 8-10 with 2 double rooms, 1 twin and one 4-bed dorm room, each with private bathroom
Modern kitchen with all amenities
Free WIFI
Open-plan living room with TV, DVD player and library of books and films
Large terrace with gas barbecue, loungers, hammocks, boules court, swimming pool; incredible views over lake, valley and mountains
Extensive grounds with natural orchard and wild tortoises
Two minutes from the lake shore, 30 minutes from the Adriatic coast
Free use of mountain bikes
Exposed stone details and wooden ceilings and floors add to the charm, with locally produced, handmade bedspreads and bathroom soaps also handmade from olive oil. Stunning views are offered up by each bedroom and the open-plan living area.
The modern kitchen comes equipped with washing-machine and dishwasher.
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