Montenegro, with its dramatic mountain landscapes and a history shrouded in mysteries, rises as a hidden gem in the heart of Southeastern Europe.

Amid its picturesque peaks and valleys lies a charming chalet that welcomes travelers from around the world. Here, you can discover the riches of nature in a truly special way. In this article, we venture into the heart of Montenegro to unveil the story and charm of a mountain chalet that brings joy and peace to all who enter its doors. Step with us into the world of this chalet, where friendship is greeted with open arms and nature reveals itself in all its splendor.

The chalet I’m telling you about is called Joleva Koliba, located in the village of Virak, 5 km from Zabljak. For those who haven’t heard of it, Zabljak is a cute resort, serving as the base for trips to Durmitor. That’s pretty much the entire village of Virak 👇

Why have we chosen Joleva Koliba three times already? The first time we chose it, Alex was only 3 years old, and we were looking for a cottage in the heart of the mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of the resort, with plenty of space for him to run around and see some animals: goats, chickens, ducks, pigs… It turned out to be the perfect choice, as we returned two more times. Here we found a wonderful family, consisting of Vanja, her husband, and their three children, whom Alex played with, even though none of them understood what the other was saying. We also found a table full of traditional food, a welcome surprise after the long journey from Romania! The second time we arrived, we sadly learned that Vanja’s husband had passed away, but she and her boys welcomed us with the same warmth (and good food) as the first time. By the third time, it already felt like coming home. It’s a wonderful feeling to return to dear places, to see people you’ve become close to, and who always make sure you have all the comfort you need.

But let me tell you about the chalet as well, shall I? Joleva Koliba is a splendid cottage, built only from natural materials: stone, wood, straw, clay, sheep wool. If it looks charming from the outside, wait until you see the interior! You enter a small hallway, where shoes are left. On the right is the bathroom, beautifully arranged, also with natural materials, but equipped with all the necessities: hot water, soap, shampoo, towels, slippers.

From the hallway, you enter the very spacious living room, where you simply don’t know what to look at first. On the right is the kitchen, but it’s all covered in wood. The cabinets contain everything you need: plates, cutlery, pots, electric oven, kettle, refrigerator. On the left is a large table with a corner sofa, and in front of it, there’s a large stone fireplace, as well as a smaller iron stove. I think it’s great to sit by the fire on cool spring or autumn evenings.

Upstairs we find the bedroom, with three beds, one single and two joined together. But we fit well, Mihai is still quite small and fits between us 🙂 On the walls there are all sorts of ornaments, details, and authentic pieces, which made us deeply appreciate the work this family has done here, especially since we know that they made everything themselves or found them in the barn, forgotten by time, and knew how to give them a new life. See for yourselves!

Another important aspect of any journey is the food, right? Well, here we have the opportunity to dine at the chalet. They don’t have a restaurant, but they have a gazebo in the courtyard, where you can enjoy your meal with a view of the peaks. Vanja cooks excellently, preparing traditional dishes for tourists with care, but you need to notify her in advance, preferably at the time of booking. Additionally, they have a vegetable garden, so the food truly tastes delicious. They also sell jams, natural juices, dried fruits, and teas made by them, at home, from local fruits. Or wool slippers, for those who feel chilly 😀

And if you’re staying at this lovely cottage, you should also visit something, otherwise half of the charm of the trip will be lost. Don’t think there’s nothing to see here. There’s plenty of wonderful places! Here I’ll list them briefly, because I’ve written a separate article about them, which you must read before planning your trip, so you know how many days to schedule.

So, in winter, we have the ski slope, and in summer, we have the chairlift that takes us up to the Savin Kuk peak, from where we can see the entire plateau and the Durmitor Mountains. We have the Tara River, which forms the deepest canyon in Europe. Here, we can go rafting on the Tara or ziplining near the famous bridge. We have the Durmitor Mountains, where we can go hiking. We have Panoramic Roads, routes designed for cars or bicycles, which take us on the most picturesque roads in the area. We also have lakes, each one more beautiful than the other. But I’ll let you discover them all in this article.

Joleva Koliba operates from May 1st to November 1st, but if you arrive before or after that period, get in touch with Vanja, and you might work something out. You can find Vanja on Facebook here, via email at vkrgovic@t-com.me, and on the phone at +382 69 494 601.

If you’re in search of peace, relaxation, and a dreamy landscape, you’ll find them all abundantly at Joleva Koliba!

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Happy exploring!