Albania

This new, extensively revised eighth edition of Bradt's Albania remains the most authoritative and detailed standalone guidebook to what is still a relatively little-known part of Europe. This Balkan country has much to offer almost everyone - from hiking in unspoilt mountains to gawping at Byzantine churches or plentiful birds, from homestays in traditional villages to backpacking around beaches. Many visitors rave about spectacular alpine scenery with stellar hiking and cycling opportunities. Others laud the country's cultural heritage, which reaches back two and a half millennia. Must-sees include the Ottoman cities of Gjirokastra and Berati (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), many outstanding archaeological sites and early mosques, Venetian castles dotting hilltops and coastal promontories, and Byzantine religious art in medieval churches and the museums of Tirana, Korça and Berati. For city slickers, lively Tirana offers shopping malls, fine dining, art galleries and historic buildings. Beaches such as Dhërmiu and Jali in the south are popular with younger travellers attracted by strandline festivals. Tourists seeking a return to a simpler, traditional way of life can find it in Albania's alpine villages, where residents still live much as did their grandparents, tending goats and sheep, hand-spinning wool and making cheese and yogurt. Many villagers have opened up their homes as guest houses, offering visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience local culture first-hand. Birdwatchers have long been attracted to Albania, even during the Communist period when the country was all but closed to most foreign visitors, thanks to its many different habitats and the fact that it lies on several migration routes; those interested in other wildlife might seek out Europe's largest population of brown bear, plus grey wolf, European wildcat and Eurasian lynx. Visiting Albania is increasingly easy, with more airlines flying from western Europe and fast highways now connecting main cities. Such developments infuse this new edition, whose coverage of natural history, beach festivals and museums has also been strengthened as part of a thorough update. With its unparalleled wealth of practical advice for the independent traveller, Bradt's Albania remains the ideal companion for a rewarding trip to this fascinating country.