Outside Mass Tourism Areas

[KARL]

We are toying with a holiday taking in Montenegro and Northern Macedonia. A number of questions arise, such as how to travel within/between the two (hired car seems on the face of it to be the most promising), in the surface travel mode a likely need to avoid Kosovo but go through Albania (in principle not an unwelcome option), understanding how easy/difficult it would be to cross the borders by road in a hired car, etc., etc. Are there flexible yet practical options available at a reasonable price for travel, other than hiring a car at one point and doing all the travel in it ?

Does anyone know where/who is the easiest source for comprehensive information/advice on this sort of thing for that area of Europe ?

[237SJ]

I would ask on the appropriate Tripadvisor forum.

[Zacs-Master]

I was in Montenegro earlier this year. Stunningly beautiful but public transport is v limited (It's the mountains you know) so I'd deffo hire a car. I would think that the Rough Guides series would be a good start:
https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/montenegro/
https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/albania/

Some really great Albanian white wines. I mean REALLY great.

[KARL]

One of the principal spark for this travel idea is the excellent red wine we have been drinking for well over a decade - it's from Northern Macedonia so comparing the Albanian you like will be interesting. Info obtained from Albania so far is that it is realistic not only to hire a car there and drive into the other two countries but Kosovo is actually strongly recommended. So much for cautionary advice on the net, incl. Foreign Office.

[KARL]

*sparks

[Zacs-Master]

I'd be careful about what your insurance covers you for in the 'less touristy' areas. Kotor in Montenegro is worth a visit (but not between May and August - too many cruise ships).

[puzzled54]

Have you looked at bus travel? There don’t seem to be any trains in the areas you mentioned but long distance busses instead. Try the site Rome to Rio, I have used that and also getbybus.com. I am going out now but will look in later as I have booked a holiday taking in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and north Macedonia and travelling by bus

[KARL]

Puzzled54, that is most interesting and I look forward to receiving any and all advice, comments and observations on your experience.