Search results for ""Bradt Travel Guides""

Bradt's Dordogne & Lot, with Bordeaux & Toulouse is the most detailed guide to the entire region, with coverage that includes the Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne in addition to Dordogne, Lot and Bordeaux. Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls (authors of the original Cadogan guide to the area) have lived in the Lot valley for over thirty years and are the perfect guides to the region's landscapes, towns, food, art, architecture and, of course, wine: Bordeaux's 8,800 wine châteaux produce on average 650 million bottles a year! Their guide starts with Bordeaux, the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region as well as the world capital of wine, along with the départements of the Gironde, Dordogne, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, and Tarn-et-Garonne in between. This is a land of great wines and stunning rivers, encompassing long sandy beaches along the Côte d'Argent (with Europe's biggest sand dune on the south end), forests and rolling hills. Here, too, are the UNESCO-listed Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley, and extraordinary Palaeolithic masterpieces (Lascaux, Font de Gaume and Pech Merle). History has been made here, evidenced in medieval castles and bastides, and beautiful old cities such as Sarlat, Périgueux, St-Émilion, Cahors and Figeac. Hundreds of unspoiled villages dot landscapes that are among the most idyllic in France, while Romanesque churches, including the great abbey at Moissac, are a feast for art lovers. Outdoor activities are well covered, too, including cycling, sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking and walking the numerous Grand Randonnées (including three main routes of the Camino de Santiago) that pass through here, along with scores of other paths. And last but not least, the food is good: think truffles, oysters, duck, saffron, strawberries and melons, walnut groves and orchards. The weekly markets are gorgeous, and the summers are filled with wine, music and theatre festivals. All of this and more is covered by expert authors Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls in this new title from Bradt, offering all the information you need both prior to departure and while on the road.

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Smitten by Scotland since childhood, travel writer Rebecca Gibson moved to Moray and started exploring her new home region on foot to produce this new title in Bradt's award-winning series of Slow travel guides to UK regions. Walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers, families, history and folklore enthusiasts, and foodies are all catered for, with coverage of a wide range of attractions. As the only comprehensive guidebook to North East Scotland in print, it also contains all the practical information you could need to plan and enjoy time in this thrillingly diverse yet largely under-explored part of Britain. This region of mountains and coasts, ancient Caledonian pine forests and salmon-rich rivers harbours much to enthral and surprise. Long famous among hillwalkers, mountaineers and nature lovers, the Cairngorms is the UK's largest National Park and holds five of its six tallest summits - but also abounds in fairy folklore. Balmoral Estate has been a royal residence since Queen Victoria's reign, while Aberdeenshire - with its unique language, Doric - has Scotland's highest density of castles and numerous Pictish stone circles among an astounding 30,000 sites of historical and archaeological interest. Between Inverness and Aberdeen lies the less-familiar region of Moray, which hosts the world's most northerly population of bottle-nosed dolphins, Scotland's oldest independent museum, and Forres, where Shakespeare's Macbeth met the three witches. Here the Scots language and culture are celebrated through gatherings such as fire festivals. This guidebook's Slow approach to travel fits with a growing ethos of sustainability in this part of Scotland, from Findhorn Ecovillage to a celebration of locally sourced, artisan and organic food alongside the well-known products of whisky, Aberdeen Angus beef and River Dee salmon. Key heritage attractions are described in intimate detail - but so too are opportunities to see some of Scotland's most special wildlife, from pinewood-dwelling crested tits to high-altitude specialists like ptarmigan. Whether you are keen to visit castles or indulge in whisky-tastings amid Britain's highest concentration of distilleries, to hike among Cairngorm's remote mountains or to stride boldly along miles upon miles of coastline, discover North East Scotland with Bradt's unique Slow guide.

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You don't need to be ultra-fit or highly experienced in the outdoors to enjoy outdoor guru Patrick Kinsella's selection of 30 activities across Britain. 'A sense of adventure and an explorer's heartbeat' is all that's required, he says, and he should know, having spent two decades walking, running, riding, paddleboarding, swimming, canoeing, kayaking... and more besides, in all corners of the country. Bradt's Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering... is both an atlas of adventure and book of secrets, enticing readers out of their comfort zone to explore the often-unseen elements and quieter corners of Britain, where the wild experiences live. Some of the activities described take place on the very edges of large urban centres, easily accessible for anyone, yet even many locals don't know about them. Others happen in far-flung corners of the country - places people may never have considered exploring. 'This title will take you on a highly adventurous tour of Britain's extraordinary cliffs, caves, canyons, coasts, forests, fells, beaches, Munros, moors and tors, via a range of outdoor pursuits - many of which were conceived and pioneered on this island' says Kinsella. 'It's all about wild time spent in wonderful places, from the mysterious depths of the labyrinthine limestone underworld beneath the Mendip Hills to the top of ice-clad arêtes and snow-dusted peaks of monstrous Munros in the Scottish Highlands, via seascapes and sub-aquatic environment in Devon and Cornwall, tumbling streams and ghylls in the Lake District, and cascade-concealed caverns in the waterfall-soaked world of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) in Wales. It's not for the faint of heart, but there are escapades here to excite everyone.' Whether you're an experienced outdoor type or someone who's new to the outdoors but seeking guidance on where to go and what to do, a wildlife and fresh-air enthusiast or an armchair traveller, a lone adventurer or family with young children, Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering... is brimful of ideas. And if the adrenaline gets too much, you'll even find advice on the sedate Japanese art of forest bathing.

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A new, updated version of the celebrated 1968 title, Galapagos: Islands of Birds, by the renowned late ornithologist Bryan Nelson, with additional, previously unpublished reminiscences and lively and irreverent memories from his wife June. This timely reissue breathes new life into a classic work of natural history that will appeal to bird-lovers and Galapagos-lovers alike. It is as memorable for its groundbreaking descriptions of Galapagos wildlife as for June's naked appearance in the News of the World accompanied by a quote from the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1964 the late Bryan Nelson, a zoologist, and his wife June spent a year living on two uninhabited, waterless Galapagos islands studying the three species of booby ('we couldn't resist also studying the great frigatebird and waved albatross, too' says June). Bryan's book, Galapagos: Islands of Birds was published in 1968 and, although by necessity a scientific study, his light touch and the extraordinary hardships and delights of living in total isolation with no means of rescue should things go wrong, make it an exceptionally good read. Now, nearly 60 years later, June Nelson has extracted the story of that extraordinary year and complemented it with her own recollections. The couple's research and findings remain relevant and interesting, so plenty of wildlife descriptions are retained, but it is the mischievous mocking birds and friendly sea lions which will captivate the reader as much as the famous blue-footed boobies and waved albatrosses. At the end of their stay on Hood, when their clothes were literally in tatters and they went barefoot, they had news of the imminent visit of The Duke of Edinburgh and the Royal Yacht Britannia. June's description of this visit and their lunch on board with Prince Philip, make a surreal ending to a year of deteriorating food: 'Now our flour had around 50 maggots or beetles per pound... Dried beans would have three or four beetles per bean... In spaghetti a black shadow meant beetle, a grey one maggot. It took a long time, breaking out each shadow, to make a meal.'

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Holidays are a precious time of nourishment for families and this book will lead parents to a whole host of wonderful experiences for all ages across Britain that focus on the local, the authentic, the sustainable, the educational and the damn good fun. It's also a little black book of the most authentic, interesting and child-friendly places to stay and eat. Seasoned family travellers and travel writers Jane Anderson and Holly Tuppen present their hand-picked selection of places to go, things to see and activities to do across the country, from wildlife and star-gazing on The Scilly Isles, Guernsey and Sark to foraging and wild swimming in the Cairngorms. Stomps and bike rides in the New Forest, organic farming in Somerset, ranger-led tours in Kent, canoeing and steam train rides in Devon, a street art tour in Bristol, baking in Wales, city regeneration in Liverpool, Swallows and Amazons in the Lake District, Dracula in Yorkshire and wildlife photography in Northumberland are all included. In Scotland experiences cover Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh, the Cairngorms and the Isle of Lewis and the Outer Hebrides, with everything from forest adventure activities to dolphins, whales and basking sharks on offer. There is a longing amongst parents to take their children on UK holidays that are nourishing for the soul, that take children out of the digital world, slow down and appreciate nature, culture, arts, history, food and fellow human beings. This may be a 'slow' guide but it lacks nothing in excitement!

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Connecting with nature. Back to the real world. That's what this book is all about. From island-hopping in the Isles of Scilly to wild camping along Scotland's Whale Route, Family Wildlife Adventures is full of inspiration for exploring Britain's amazing wildlife with your children. Family travel expert and father of two William Gray has your weekends and school holidays sorted with exciting ideas for adventures by canoe, bike, campervan, boat and more. From time travel along Dorset's Jurassic Coast to canoe-camping in the Norfolk Broads or sea kayaking in the Hebrides, you'll find 50 experiences in this book guaranteed to fuel any child's love of wildlife and adventure. Some of them might reward you with sightings of puffins, otters, eagles or seals. Others may reveal small wonders, like dragonflies, blennies and lizards. But no matter which adventure you choose, you and your family will be transported to one of Britain's special wild places. Armed with all the practical information you need to plan a fun and safe day out, week or weekend away, this Bradt guide has something for all families keen to discover the natural wonders of Britain - and have unforgettable adventures along the way.

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This new Bradt guidebook is the first solely dedicated to a specific part of Wales, encompassing the country's southern third. Covering Monmouthshire, Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Brecon Beacons National Park, this guide provides in-depth coverage of a broad range of attractions. Catering for walkers, heritage aficionados, wildlife lovers, families, mountain bikers, foodies and city-lovers, it furnishes all the practical information you need to plan and enjoy time in South Wales. The region boasts 400 miles of coastline, along which some of Britain's finest beaches nestle between comely resorts and traditional fishing villages, including in the dramatic Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Inland, The Valleys encompass a former powerhouse of the British coal-mining industry where abandoned collieries have become thriving tourist attractions in a World Heritage landscape. Alternatively, enjoy peace and quiet in the Brecon Beacons, one of few British International Dark Sky Reserves, characterised by high peaks, wild moorland and thrashing waterfalls. From here, mountains extend east to the renowned book town of Hay-on-Wye. In South Wales, you can embrace history, landscape and culture in quick succession. Hikers come from all over to walk the Wales Coast Path, the first footpath worldwide to extend the entire length of a country's coastline. Bike Park Wales in Merthyr is Britain's leading mountain-bike centre, while St David's Peninsula offers thrilling coasteering and the Gower Peninsula exciting surfing. The region's special wildlife ranges from puffins and deer on offshore islands to porpoises and dolphins powering across sheltered bays. Urbanites will love the Welsh capital of Cardiff, fast becoming one of Britain's most dynamic cities, following exciting regeneration crowned by the Millennium Centre. Wales is nicknamed the Land of the Castles, with more fortifications per square mile than any European country: South Wales boasts twenty where your imagination can run riot. Unexpected treats gather here too: visit Europe's second-tallest sand dune (The Big Dipper in Merthyr Mawr), the UK's smallest city (St David's), or even vineyards and whisky distilleries. Whether you are an adrenaline-seeker or culture-lover, a wildlife watcher or beach-goer, foodie or hiker, discover South Wales with Bradt's comprehensive guide.

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It's time to take to the road with this selection of stunning handpicked trips throughout France and Germany. The trips are suitable for campervanners, motorcaravanners, long-distance cyclists. basically anyone on a set of wheels, especially those who like to go camping, wild or otherwise (although details of finding alternative accommodation are also included). Whether you're a novice motorcaravanner or experienced road tripper, solo adventurer or family group, these self-guided tours will provide the inspiration to set out and explore - as slowly and leisurely as you like - the less obvious regions of France and Germany. There are routes of all distances, from day/weekend trips of no more than 30 or 40 miles to routes of 1,000 miles and more for those enjoying a longer holiday. Collectively these routes explore the very best scenery that France and Germany offer - from coastal views and mountains, forests and national parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, vineyards, lakesides and riverbanks, islands (including parking up and visiting car-free islands), to pastoral idylls, wilderness and vibrant cities brimming with architectural heritage. No end of adventures await! Travel the Route Napoléon (France's first ever signposted route following Napoleon's trek through the Alps on his return from exile) or the Bertha Benz Memorial Route (named for the wife of inventor Carl Benz and the first person ever to make a long-distance road trip). Explore the Gorges du Verdon, the Grand Canyon of France, visit Dorgogne's annual Strawberry Festival, or walk into Poland along an eight-mile seaside promenade at the seaside resort of Heringsdorf. Packed with practical advice, tempting photographs and inspirational itineraries, Camping Road Trips: France & Germany is the essential handbook to your European adventure.

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This brand-new guide to the Isle of Wight forms part of Bradt's top-selling, award-winning series of Slow travel guides to UK regions. Written by expert author and journalist Mark Rowe, who has visited the island over 30 times since first spending childhood holidays there, it is the perfect companion to help you get the most out of your visit, replete with not just all the practical information you could need, but also all the descriptive detail, anecdote and insider tips to make time spent there truly enjoyable and memorable. The Isle of Wight is an island that is astonishingly - and unexpectedly - rich in food producers, wildlife, natural beauty, history, archaeology and dramatic landscapes. This is all the more remarkable for it being so close to the densely populated southern edges of England. At just 25 miles x 13 miles, in no other equivalent-sized area of Britain is there such a variety of landscapes (downland, estuaries, hills, saltmarshes, meadows, riverine, beach) or such a concentration of food producers (50+ independents at the last count). Here there is a real Island culture, a creative spirit that is quite quirky and independent. Bradt's Isle of Wight includes where to go to see red squirrels, where to hire e-bikes, where to go foraging and where is best for families. It also covers historic and present quirks, curiosities and attractions, including Jimi Hendrix's unusual love affair with the island, a day in the life of a ferry master, tree climbing, World War II history, night-time wildlife, the annual walk at low tide to explore the wildlife underneath Ryde's grand Victorian pier, the island's award-winning wines and its dinosaur fossil-rich beaches - of which it has more than anywhere else in the UK! With 20 maps, including regional, walking and cycling maps, you'll be well placed to navigate your way from one point of interest to another. Whatever your interest, Bradt's Isle of Wight will help you to plan and enjoy a visit to remember.

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From the world's most adventurous travel publisher, a colouring book like no other. Over 50 illustrations of people, buildings, wildlife and landscapes from amazing places around the world, produced on elegant 140gsm paper - so no show-through! Each illustration is accompanied by an informative caption from one of our acclaimed travel guides. After that, it's up to you. Whether you're stuck in an airport lounge, sunning yourself on an isolated beach or fighting the lockdown blues at home, The Traveller's Colouring Book is the perfect antidote to wanderlust. Mindfulness has never been so enriching, inspirational - or colourful.

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For the UK This new tenth edition of Bradt's Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia remains the most in-depth guide available to these exotic and alluring islands. Thoroughly updated following extensive on-the-ground research, accommodation listings are near comprehensive, with over 300 properties spanning all budget levels featured, many newly built and the vast majority not featured in other guides. Bradt's Zanzibar also offers for more detailed coverage of the islands' cultural, historic and environmental status than other guides, and the authors make a point of featuring more ethically- minded hotels, tour operators and activities, from fair- trade shopping opportunities to marine awareness guidelines. All maps have been accurately updated with every property, major attraction, eatery and road recorded using GPS. No other guidebook provides this level of guidance. Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia have become increasingly accessible dream destinations. All offer some wonderful beach resorts catering to most styles and budgets, but they also offer superb diving and snorkelling, while Swahili-related cultural highlights range from the history-steeped alleys of Zanzibar Stone Town to a scattering of evocative ruins spanning several centuries, and the more low-key fishing villages that line the coast. Bradt's Zanzibar is the most frequently updated book on the islands: the authors are personally known in the region for their face-to-face research methods and this is the book of choice for hoteliers and expatriate workers/residents on Zanzibar. The guide also includes a dedicated section on southern Tanzanian safaris in the Selous/Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks, making this the ideal choice for a bush and beach combination.

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This new, thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt's Tajikistan is the most practical guide dedicated exclusively to this breathtaking country, central Asia's smallest, but home to the biggest tea house in the world! Bradt's Tajikistan caters for all interests, whether you're a nature lover, explorer, just want to soak up the stunning surroundings, or a wildlife enthusiast in search of eagles, elusive snow leopard or extraordinary Marco Polo sheep. Locals call Tajikistan 'Bam-i-Dunya', the Roof of the World, and travelling the Pamir Highway you can understand why. With first-hand descriptions of everything from Sogdian ruins to playing the traditional sport of buz kashi, trekking on the Murgohab Plateau and eating shashlik in garden tea houses, the authors bring the country alive. This latest edition covers all the most recent developments, notably the significant increase in hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and homestays, along with improvements to travel and transport, all following the government's investment in tourism. New attractions are also featured, including the new cable car in Khujand over the Syr Darya Sirdarya river and new trekking destinations, festivals and exhibitions. There are also details of which sites require additional permits and permissions and how much they cost, and where border crossings have been closed or have become more accessible. Mountains, crystal clear lakes (including Lake Sarez), wildlife and epic trekking routes are all here, as well as ancient Buddhist sites, Silk Road trading posts, medieval shrines, and planned Soviet cities. The modern population continues to draw upon its diverse heritage from Persia, China, Afghanistan, and Russia, creating a complex and intriguing culture. Bradt's Tajikistan covers every corner of the country, from the Wakhan Corridor to the Fann Mountains and Garm Chashma springs, Dushanbe to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sarazm and Tajik National Park, making this comprehensive guide an ideal companion for a perfect trip whether travelling independently or on an organised tour.

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A new, thoroughly updated edition of the first and only English-language guide to the epic 750 km hiking route through the mountains of Austria, Slovenia and Italy, from the foot of the Grossglockner (at 3,798m, the highest peak in Austria and the Eastern Alps) to Muggia near Trieste on the Adriatic coast. Detailed maps and route descriptions for all 43 stages of the route are included, with a clear breakdown of time, distance and ascent for each stage. Published in a small, handy-sized format which is easy to pack and carry, it is written by an expert who has authored over half a dozen hiking guides and who specialises in Eastern and Central Europe. He has been a regular visitor to the borderlands of Slovenia, Austria and Italy for over 15 years, as well as living for two years in neighbouring Croatia. The Alpe-Adria route is well marked, relatively easy to walk and is suitable for hikers of all abilities as well as families - a point which is emphasised in the guide. The route takes in spectacular, unspoilt mountain scenery, alpine lakes, rolling coastal hills, beautiful villages and several national parks and nature reserves. An introduction covering the history, wildlife, flora and geography of the area is included, along with accommodation details for each stage and information on local public transport, culture, food and language.

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This new, thoroughly updated sixth edition of Bradt's Bosnia and Herzegovina remains the only full-length English-language guide to this cultural and outdoor adventure Balkan crossroads. Written by an expert who came to volunteer during the war and ended up staying almost thirty years, it offers a unique first-hand account combined with practical information that goes beyond any other guide available. New for this sixth edition are updated maps, contacts and detailed visitor information not easily found online, insider knowledge on the ever-changing hotel and restaurant scene in Sarajevo, details of new attractions such as cable cars and museums, new rural and eco-accommodation around the national parks, and new coverage of the Green and Blue trails of the Via Dinarica, which has been further developed, particularly around Sarajevo and in Herzegovina. Up-and-coming tourist hubs such as Banja Luka, Tuzla and Mostar are also covered, while a new Eastern Bosnia chapter expands on what to see and do in the main towns and includes details of new outdoor adventure offerings along the Montenegrin/Tara border. This edition also includes a complete run-down of all the wineries in Herzegovina. A rich history, great food scene, outdoor activities, nature and hiking make Bosnia and Herzegovina popular with all age groups and the Bradt guide provides all the information needed for a successful trip, from hostels to boutique hotels, cheap eats to fancy restaurants, wilderness adventure to business travel.

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This new eighth edition of Bradt's Malawi remains the only standalone practical guidebook to this magical East African destination, long known as the 'warm heart of Africa' (and the first country outside Denmark to have a Carlsberg brewery). Malawi is a small country with a big lake - accounting for around a third of its territory - and a big welcome. Written by Philip Briggs, arguably the world's most experienced guidebook author, this new edition benefits from a thorough country-wide update of all the practical information, with the addition of significant new game park accommodation. Dedicated chapters on background information, health and flora and fauna are complemented by a 19-chapter breakdown of the country and 37 maps, making this an ideal companion for backpackers, over-landers, wildlife spotters, birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Included in the guide are the many outstanding adventure opportunities: kayaking on the vast lake amongst dug-out canoes; hikes from tea estates up to the heights Mount Mulanje; and watching the 'big five' animals in wonderful natural surroundings. There's also a resurgent music scene, intriguing monuments built by former colonisers and compelling village culture to discover. With the reintroduction of species including lions - and the recent translocation of large numbers of elephants to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve - Malawi is a wildlife destination to savour. From luxury camps to local guesthouses, from rhino trekking to cycle tours and from crafts to cultural tourism, Bradt's Malawi covers every aspect of your trip.

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This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's award-winning guide to Liguria is the essential companion to getting the most out of a visit to this beguiling Italian region. Author Rosie Whitehouse has spent thirty years exploring Liguria and in her comprehensive guide introduces you to not just the glitz of the Riviera but also to the delights of the wild unknown hinterlands and mountain valleys, including in-depth coverage of local gastronomic delights - a key part of any Ligurian visit. This new edition includes new maps, a focus on of the growth of small, 'Slow Food' businesses, restaurants and hotels, in-depth coverage of Genoa as a cultural and weekend-break destination, the latest developments in Savona and La Spezia, more walks and bike-riding advice plus new suggested routes, revised hotel and restaurant listings and all the latest transport information. Liguria is a mountainous region of dizzy passes and breathtaking views, where the mountains plunge down into the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean. The narrow strip of coast includes the gems of the world-famous Italian Riviera, the great port city of Genoa, the glitzy resort of Portofino and the charms of the Cinque Terre. Yet in the hinterland there are many beautiful villages and mountain walks that have yet to be discovered by tourists. With a strong regional identity all of its own, Liguria is almost a country within a country. Whether you're a gourmet traveller in search of pesto, trofie and freshly baked focaccia, a history buff on the hunt for Roman remains, culture addict dazzled by Genoa's glittering palazzi and top-class museums, or a family heading for a well-earned break, Bradt's Liguria is the ideal guide for travellers of all ages and all budgets. It is also particularly suited to adventurous travellers looking for the Liguria that lies beyond the beaten track and who want a taste of the real Italy.

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This new guide to Northern Greece, written by Greece expert and long-time travel writer Dana Facaros, is the only guide available to the region and includes the areas of Epirus, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace, complete with their five dramatically beautiful national parks, the country's highest peaks and mountain lakes, rushing rivers and the world's deepest gorge, and (this is Greece, after all) long sandy beaches. Sections on background and practical information are followed by an easy-to-follow breakdown of the area offering detailed coverage in 12 chapters, from Greece's second city, Thessaloníki, to Chalkidikí, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Western Macedonia, Epirus (including Ioánnina), Thessaly and Magnesía, the Pelion Peninsula and the Islands, plus a short chapter on Athens, the gateway for many visitors to Greece. Greece is becoming more popular by the year and this area in particular offers the more natural, authentic experience that many travellers seek. Bradt's Northern Greece focuses on just this relatively unknown but up-and-coming region and is an ideal companion for travellers of all ages, budgets and interests, from culture lovers to wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs to archaeologists, foodies to wine connoisseurs. Holidays in the great outdoors are covered, too, including mountain climbing, skiing, white water rafting, rock climbing, sailing, canyoning and sea kayaking, not to mention those who just want to sit on a sandy beach and dance the night away.

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The pioneering first edition of this guidebook was the first dedicated entirely to Somaliland, and this second edition, fully updated and with a foreword by Simon Reeve, continues Bradt's groundbreaking tradition of publishing highly specialist guides to newly emerging destinations. Significantly, this new edition also covers Addis Ababa and eastern Ethiopia - the main gateway into Somaliland. Also included is a detailed historical and archaeological background to a region whose wealth of rock art, ancient burial sites, ruined cities and historical ports stretches back 5,000 years and has links with ancient Egypt and Axum as well as the more recent Ottoman and British empires. Comprehensive birdwatching and wildlife sections include details of where to look for of the region's endemic and near-endemic birds and mammals, while the guide also contains the only proper maps available for the capital Hargeisa and other large towns such as Burao, Berbera and Borama, compiled from scratch using GPS. Somaliland ranks among the world's most obscure and uncharted travel destinations. It comprises the former colony of British Somaliland, which merged with its Italian namesake to form the Somali Republic upon attaining independence in 1960, but unilaterally seceded from the rest of war-torn Somalia in 1991. Now a peaceful and fully functional self-governing democracy, Somaliland still awaits official recognition by the UN AU and most other such organisations more than quarter of a century later. Yet despite its obscurity, this ancient and largely arid land has much to offer the truly intrepid traveller, and the low-key, low-rise capital Hargeisa Is easily reached by air or overland from neighbouring Ethiopia. With this unique guide, discover Las Geel, the most alluring rock art site on the Horn of Africa; the charmingly decayed Ottoman port of Berbera, which provides access to some splendid beaches and offshore reefs; the spectacular Daallo Escarpment, swathed in fragrant evergreen forests that support several endemic bird species; and the abandoned city of Maduna, the most impressive of several mediaeval Islamic ruins dotted around the arid interior.

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This new title from Bradt tells the inspiring and emotional story of Ishbel Holmes, also known as `World Bike Girl', a Scottish-Iranian woman who became a champion racing cyclist in spite of having been abandoned by her family, and who set off on the adventure of a lifetime despite her lack of experience, money or equipment. Ishbel Holmes was determined to cycle the world but her journey took a completely unexpected turn when, despite her initial instincts not to, she rescued a street dog in Turkey. Ishbel was lost and alone when she started on her epic trip, but in Lucy found a companionship never previously known. Between the two there formed a deep bond and their relationship was followed and supported by thousands of readers online, before becoming a media sensation overnight when Ishbel put out a plea for help to transport Lucy to an animal shelter three hundred miles away. This heart-rending tale is about more than just the relationship between a woman and her dog. It is a testimony to the human spirit, overcoming present-day challenges and churning up long-buried and painful memories from Ishbel's earlier life. It is also a tale of adventure, one person's determination to cross an unfamiliar country by bike and the unforgettable scenes that greet her on the Turkey-Syria border and into Syria itself. And it is a loving portrait of Lucy, the street dog that was determined not to let Ishbel go and whose dogged persistence helped to break down the barriers around her heart and in so doing change her life in ways she had never imagined. Ultimately, this is a tale of love and healing, a modern fable that touches the soul and reminds us all of the need to belong.

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This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Outer Hebrides: The Western Isles of Scotland, from Lewis to Barra by experienced writer and journalist Mark Rowe is the only full-size guide to focus solely on the islands of Lewis, Harris, St Kilda, Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. Masses of background information is included, from geography and geology to art and architecture, with significant coverage of wildlife, too, as well as all the practical details you could need: when to visit, suggested itineraries, public holidays and festivals, local culture, plus accommodation and where to eat and drink. Walkers, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, beach lovers and genealogists are all catered for, and this is an ideal guide for those who travel simply with curious minds to discover far-flung places of great cultural, historical and wildlife interest. The Outer Hebrides is an archipelago of 14 inhabited islands and more than 50 others that are free of human footprint. Huge variations in landscape are found across the islands, from Lewisian gneiss, which dates back almost three billion years, to rugged Harris with its magnificent sands running down its western flanks and the windswept, undulating flatness and jagged sea lochs of the Uists. This is a land where Gaelic is increasingly spoken and ancient monuments abound, where stunning seabird colonies and birds of prey can be watched, and where the grassy coastal zones known as the machair are transformed into glorious carpets of wildflowers in late spring and summer. Whether visiting the Standing Stones of Callanish, the Uig peninsula, Barra's Castlebay, or historic St Kilda, or if you just want to experience the romance of the Sound of Harris, one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world, Bradt's Outer Hebrides: The Western Isles of Scotland, from Lewis to Barra has all the information you need.

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This thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt's Lapland is the only standalone guidebook in English to this wintry wonderland, a region spanning the northernmost fringes of Norway, Sweden and Finland where there are as many reindeer as people, it never gets dark in summer and never gets light in mid-winter. In this new edition, expert author James Proctor covers all the latest developments, including the most up-to-date information on where to see the Northern Lights (Lapland is the best region in the world for Northern Lights viewing) and where to go husky sledding, reviews of the treehouse hotels which have sprung up across the region, the latest details of how to fly directly to one of the Europe's most far-flung destinations from the UK and USA, plus information on a wide range of summer and winter adventures, from hiking and wild swimming to snowmobiling, wilderness stays and staying in the Icehotel. Everybody has heard of Lapland. Everybody knows it's the home of Father Christmas. Yet remarkably few people can accurately pinpoint Lapland on a map. Bradt's Lapland lifts the lid off this little-known, enigmatic region and shows that there's much more to Lapland than the man with the long white beard and the red suit. This is a land of elemental beauty with plenty to offer anyone who's looking to explore the great outdoors without the great crowds. Lapland is vast and empty, a place of indigenous villages, sweeping forests, mighty waterfalls - the raw side of nature here is the region's defining and inescapable characteristic and no visit is complete without leaving the creature comforts of the nearest town well behind. Whether on an organized tour or travelling independently, Bradt's Lapland is the essential travel companion.

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This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Chile: the Carretera Austral is written by resident expert Hugh Sinclair and remains a unique guide to this stunning and remote part of the world, complete with information which in some instances has taken over a decade of experience to compile. This is the only guidebook focussed entirely on the magnificent and historic road uniting northern and southern Patagonia. The few hardy travellers that embark on this journey struggle to find even basic information about the region. The book provides visitors to the often-visited Bariloche and Chilean Lake District with a spectacular alternative means to reach the southern extremes of Patagonia. Completing three entirely new traverses of the Carretera Austral and speaking to countless visitors encountered along the way, the authors have updated the guide comprehensively while offering an expanded suggested itineraries section to aid in planning. Meanwhile increased focus on conservation is helping to preserve the region's pristine beauty. Packed with everything you need for a successful trip, from practical advice such as accommodation and eating options en-route to history, culture, trekking and rafting, new features and information including the Route of the Parks, details of new ferry services, coverage of islands previously not included, an expanded section on micro-breweries, new maps and further details on parks and reserves. Increasingly established as one of the definitive road-trips worldwide, the Carretera Austral continues to evolve, firmly placing it as the definitive means to travel between northern Patagonia and the deep south. Bradt's Carretera Austral offers everything you need to plan and complete a successful trip from the high Andes to the remote Pacific coast.

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Expert railway enthusiast Ben le Vay returns with a new edition of his much-acclaimed guide to discovering Britain from the rails. This latest edition adds new lines and destinations in Britain's fast-changing railway, while updating the guide to the classic greats. Thoroughly updated, it includes a full, fascinating guide to the new Borders Railway in Scotland, plus details of the new route from London to Oxford and expanded coverage of the eccentric Jolly Fisherman line in Lincolnshire and the charming Cotswold line from Oxford to Hereford. Also included are more details of the Far North line from Inverness to Wick and Thurso. 'Now, finally, the network has a book to be proud of!' So said one reviewer of the first edition. Branch lines and 'secret railways' are covered, and so too are the popular routes such as the glorious East Coast main line to Scotland and the Great Western to Penzance. Regional treats include the famed West Highland Line in Scotland, the Settle and Carlisle railway in the north of England, and entire chapters dedicated to 'Wales Rails' and 'East Anglia: A Circular Tour'. Additional information ranges from the practical - such as a guide to the layout of some of the country's main termini - to the 'Inside Track: a window-gazer's guide to stuff to look out for on your journey' and intriguing train trivia. The best historic and preserved railways are also included, as are Ben's Top Ten Rail Journeys. Ben le Vay says: 'There are endless books about trains, about the history of the railways, about stations, signal boxes, carriages, wagons. as specialist as you like. There are also myriad books about British cities and countryside, about what is wonderful and fascinating about different patches of our unique island. But there were none that successfully combined the one type of book with the other (after all, you look at the country while sitting on trains) until now. And this is I do with deep knowledge, love and enthusiasm for both parts.'

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This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's Suriname remains the only dedicated English-language guidebook to this emergent and largely unspoiled ecotourism destination and offers by far the greatest depth of coverage available. It is also the first guidebook in any language with a comprehensive section on the Upper Suriname River, an exciting and remote area serviced by around 20 small lodges. Detailed coverage of all accessible parks and reserves is included, including the three main marine-turtle viewing sites and the Central Suriname Nature Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), with information geared to people joining organised tours as well as those who prefer the independent travel approach. Also included are detailed maps and town plans - many of which are unavailable in any other resource and have been drawn by the author using GPS specifically for this book. Peaceful and politically stable, Suriname is one of the world's most thinly populated countries. Its Caribbean coastline is famed for its peerless turtle-watching opportunities, while the interior is swathed by a vast tract of pristine Amazonian rainforest,rich in wildlife and accessible only by air or along the tropical waterways that incise it. The guide includes a detailed introduction to the diverse wildlife and intriguing history of the only former Dutch colony in South America, along with detailed regional coverage of the tropical coastline, the Historic Inner City of the culturally diverse capital Paramaribo (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the thrilling opportunities for exploration afforded by the jungle-swathed interior.

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Bradt's Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir remains the only standalone guide in English available to this stunning region of mountain wilderness and lush valleys. Although Ladakh is becoming an ever more popular destination, Zanskar, the Kashmir Valley and Jammu are still off the beaten path and full of wonders waiting to be discovered. This book is the ideal companion to these contrasting and spellbinding regions whether you want to white-water raft on the Indus, travel in a jeep along nerve- wracking mountain roads, relax on a houseboat, explore Buddhist culture in tucked away Ladakhi monasteries or hike over the high passes. Fully updated, this new edition includes chapters on background and practical information and a dedicated chapter on trekking, with nine easy-to-follow chapters covering the whole area, including Leh, The Suru Valley and Zanskar, Srinagar and Gulmarg, The Kashmir Valley and Jammu amongst others. New for this edition are additional trekking information and trekking maps, plus new travel routes. Ladakh, Zanskar and the Kashmir Valley have long astounded visitors with their epic Himalayan beauty. Marvel at the views from the roof of the world at the breathless Khardung La mountain pass, stroll through Eden-like Shalimar gardens, trek remote mountain trails through Ladakh and Zanskar, take a shikara ride across the lotus bedecked lakes of Srinagar and join the Buddhist monks at Thiksey Monastery for early morning prayers by candlelight. Other highlights include, the Buddhas of Kargil, the Mughal Road, Mubarak Mandi and the houseboats of Srinagar. Whatever your interest, Bradt's Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir is an indispensable guide.

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Written and updated by expert authors who have extensive experience of living and working in Central Asia, this new, fully updated third edition of Bradt's Uzbekistan remains the definitive and only standalone practical travel guide to this increasingly liberal destination - central Asia's most populous country and the heart of the Silk Road. Offering more detail for independent travellers than any other guidebook, it includes first-hand descriptions of everything from UNESCO world heritage sites and the world's best collection of Russian avant-garde art, to riding across deserts by camel and cooking plov. The quintessential Silk Route destination, Uzbekistan is opening up to tourism, easing visa regulations, encouraging family-owned guesthouses, building new railways (including a tunnel to the Fergana Valley) and introducing high-speed trains. With the passing of the post-Soviet strongman Islam Karimov and the election of a more reformist leader, there is an air of change about the country. This new edition includes expanded coverage of hiking, details of new entertainment such as the sound and light show in the Registan in Samarkand, and lots of new practical information, ranging from the increasing availability of ATMs to efforts to develop tourism, visa requirements, availability of SIM cards, haggling for taxis, access to museums and booking accommodation. New maps have also been added and existing maps revised and expanded as appropriate. Whether you're interested in culture, trekking, historical sites, archaeology and architecture, seeing endless deserts or the majestic mountainscapes of the Tien Shan range, or simply fascinated by the golden road to Samarkand and the equally famous Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Khiva, Bradt's Uzbekistan is the ideal companion.

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This new, thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt's Malta - written by an expert who has been visiting for more than a decade - remains the most comprehensive guide available and has built a reputation for being the essential guide for getting beneath the surface of this island nation and discovering what lies beyond the beaches. Sun, sand and sea there may be, but Malta boasts so much more, and this new edition is packed with historical and archaeological insights, from the Stone Age to the Romans, the Knights Hospitaller to World War II. It also showcases the islands' wildlife and bird-watching opportunities, summer festas, and the less commercialised islands of Gozo and Comino. Malta has been changing at the rate of knots, with Valletta's year as European Capital of Culture accelerating restoration and renovation. Copious openings - of historic sights, key fortresses, a new national gallery and boutique accommodation, particularly in Valletta - are covered, while the culinary scene continues to thrive, with notably greater choice for vegetarians and vegans. Malta has recently become much more socially accepting and is now considered one of the top places for LGBT travellers, while the offering for younger travellers has expanded, too. The Isle of MTV festival is going strong, Annie Mac now has a spring festival in Malta and a host of bars and clubs has sprung up. There is also lots on offer culturally, with festivals, concerts, exhibitions, theatre and opera all contributing to a full programme. Bradt's Malta contains all the information needed for a successful trip. Whatever your budget, it is the ideal guide for everyone from culture aficionados to history and archaeology buffs, foodies, war veterans, families and couples escaping for a romantic break.

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This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's Tibet encompasses the wider region of ethnic Tibet with more detailed coverage of the Amdo and Kham regions than is found in other guides. It also includes essential information on new border openings and is particularly strong on map data, which is extremely difficult to find in Tibet itself, including new theme maps covering a range of topics, from Tibetan regions to the Three Parallel Rivers UN World Heritage Sites, sacred landscapes, permafrost and major river sources. Bradt's Tibet benefits from years of consistent research. Michael Buckley has been visiting and researching Tibet for more than 30 years and has a raft of books to his name. Thanks to his knowledge and expertise, Bradt's Tibet offers a more extensive language appendix than is found in other guidebooks, plus essential guidelines on cultural etiquette (including a special section on hand gestures to use), local customs and travelling with minimum impact on Tibet's culture and environment. There is also an appendix on fauna and an extensive list of recommended further resources, including books, music, films and even virtual reality Exploring ethnic Tibet independently is a challenge. The 'land of snows' possesses the world's highest peaks (including Everest) and its deepest gorges as well as some of the wildest and roughest road routes in high Asia. Bradt's Tibet provides all the practical information you need to explore ethnic Tibet independently, whether motoring, mountain-biking or trekking. Tibet has always fascinated travellers and armchair travellers because it is so difficult to access due to its remoteness and extreme altitude. Now, under Chinese rule, Tibet is a sensitive destination for Westerners. Visitors needs all the information that they can lay their hands on-and this guidebook provides plenty. With flight routes and rail access to Tibet expanding, and new border crossings opening, Michael Buckley and Bradt's Tibet provide all of the information you need to make the most of a trip.

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Since Bradt first published a guide to Benin over 10 years ago, the country has become more popular with visitors to West Africa. Bradt's Benin remains the original and one of the only comprehensive guides in English to this French-speaking country, arguably the region's best wildlife destination and the birthplace of the much maligned and little understood religion of Vodou (voodoo). This new edition includes coverage of the growing range of eco-travel and community based tourism options that have sprung up in recent years. Also included is more information on the wildlife and national parks of the north which are becoming more popular with general safari tourists, including the Parc National de la Pendjari (now under African Parks Management), increasingly recognised as the closest place to Europe easily to see lions and elephants. A dedicated chapter on Cotonou ensures the capital is covered in full detail, including up-to-date recommendations for places to eat and stay, while the rest of the country is divided into five easy-to-follow chapters, each replete with listings, hotels and restaurants, background and historical text, as well as recommendations on what to see and entertainment. Bradt's Benin also includes a field guide to gods, ghosts and dead people: after all, it's easy here to arrange to have a cup of tea with a wizard and buy spells to make someone love you. And what makes Benin so special from a visitor's perspective is that such characters are a visible part of day-to-day life and encounters with them may well form the backbone of a Benin adventure. But there is more than just storybook magic to this country. It has a huge and varied array of birdlife and two of the finest parks this side of the continent and it is a place in which heart-in-the-mouth encounters with buffalo, elephant and lion are day-to-day events. Whatever your interest, whether it's wildlife, culture, golden sand beaches or tracing your ancestral roots, Bradt's Benin offers comprehensive and extensive travel information for all price bands and is the perfect companion for a successful visit.

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