Lake Skadar Boat Tour Review: Grmozur Fortress & Drinks

Lake Skadar, which is straddling Montenegro and Albania, seems to be this stunning natural beauty. It’s known for its unique wildlife and those breathtaking landscapes. I think that a boat tour should be high on anyone’s list visiting this region, particularly a trip to the intriguing Grmozur Fortress. Let me share a rundown of this boat experience, so that you’ll get a solid feel for what it’s actually like.

Setting Sail on Lake Skadar

The adventure begins from Virpazar, a bit of a quaint town right on the lake. Virpazar actually comes across as quite charming, that is with its little shops and inviting cafes. Then again, it also seems like a spot perfect for gearing up for a boat trip. I boarded this comfy boat with a handful of others, and the captain appeared quite welcoming. So that instantly put everyone at ease. The moment the boat pulls away from the dock, too it’s almost as if you enter this totally different realm. The sense of peace out on Lake Skadar is truly something. As you float further, anyway you see more and more of the landscape.

The lake is actually framed by those dramatic mountains and then lush greenery, anyway it just kind of unfolds around you. The water seems still and reflective, so that mirroring the sky, and every now and then a bird zips by. These tour boats actually tend to be rather comfortable, by the way, usually fitted out with things like sun decks for soaking up some rays, and shaded areas in case you want to cool down. The boats aren’t very luxurious or something, so that they are well-maintained, and also very safe. Seating can be somewhat cozy though, you know particularly when the boat is packed, anyway keep that in mind, especially when you are traveling during what is known as peak season.

Grmozur Fortress: A Glimpse into History

One of the most exciting things is actually approaching Grmozur Fortress, that sits right smack-dab in the middle of the lake. So that this old fortress is known as the “Albanian Alcatraz”. Then again it’s rich with tales from when it was in operation as a prison way back during the rule of King Nikola. Our guide seemed pretty full of cool historical facts and some genuinely captivating stories surrounding its former inmates. It could be said, so that the fortress ruins, so that they might be battered a bit, and weathered too, are a photographer’s dream, too it’s almost a perfect subject.

As a matter of fact it stands boldly against that open water. Getting the full rundown on its story seems a good way of just understanding this area’s rather complicated past. As a matter of fact, it’s a unique insight and rather thought-provoking to view how locations shift in purpose, anyway what they might come to symbolize throughout differing times.

The onboard experience: Drinks and Relaxation

Most tours will offer a selection of beverages that usually comes with that package, anyway I feel it definitely contributes to how satisfying that experience is. I took advantage of a chilled local wine while appreciating all the scenery which seemed amazing. So that some tours tend to offer local snacks that, to me, add to it by presenting you with tastes of Montenegrin customs. I think you should allow some time for just complete chilling too it’s almost an advantage.

So that take in all the calming ripples from the water and, too it’s almost, let that sun warm up your skin. By the way this cruise actually can turn out very relaxing and really refreshing. Then again it’s what gives this experience something more than simply sightseeing; anyway it presents a possibility to honestly just unwind and immerse yourself in the gorgeous surroundings.

Wildlife Encounters

Lake Skadar is regarded as being quite an abundant location regarding its wildlife, as a matter of fact you will very often encounter a lot of birdlife on one of those boat trips. Then again this lake is regarded as being amongst Europe’s largest bird reserves. So that providing a lot of the viewing chances, especially regarding keen bird watchers, is very fortunate. Very commonly one would catch sights from the Dalmatian Pelican. I mean it’s a somewhat spectacular and majestic bird as such as well as a whole load of additional species too, you know depending on what season it is.

Besides avians so that you might see fish swimming around clear waters, too it’s almost even a sporadic sighting from a snake near that shoreline. Lake Skadar’s ecosystem appears very much alive and I would argue thriving. To get all those glimpses with such an unspoiled wildlife as such makes each trip unique; also too it’s almost adds yet more appreciation for just why conservation efforts here matter.

Making the Most of Your Boat Tour

Booking the tours is doable either through what seems to be many local agents right in Virpazar, or of course through many online portals, you know, when it’s a case of planning in advance. As I was saying if one wants to go at what’s termed a peak time such in summer so then I really think that booking ahead turns very advisable. Checking what exactly turns included with those packages like that duration from a trip and any of those included drinks turns something pretty key.

Don’t you think that wearing sunscreen is actually quite important? As a matter of fact bringing plenty more is something you will be very thankful about, just as also wearing a hat because of what appears pretty solid exposure to sunlight. Don’t you think that having one of those lightweight jackets tends to be beneficial actually regarding those early morning trips. Then again those can turn rather chilly to start. Having local currency actually turns a really great option such as regarding things such as just tipping those boat captains, actually for excellent tours.