Albania (Bradt Travel Guide)

About this book

This new thoroughly updated sixth edition of Bradts Albania remains the only standalone guide to this dynamic and rapidly modernising eastern European country from the capital Tirana a lively European city with shopping malls cycle paths museums galleries and historic buildings to remote outposts where traditional ways of life prevail. Updated by expert author Gillian Gloyer it includes all developments since the last edition reflecting changes such as continued investment in the road network and construction of fast highways connecting main cities improved hotel provision and new museums dedicated to Albanias communist history. Despite such modernisation Albania is one of very few European countries where it is still possible to immerse yourself in traditional lifestyles and culture and Bradts Albania provides details of where to experience this for yourself. In highland villages people tend their livestock and gather their crops with little or no mechanisation; they milk their cows and goats by hand they make their own cheese and bread they distil home-made spirits from local fruits and berries. In addition many villagers have opened up their traditional homes as guest-houses offering a wonderful opportunity to experience their culture first-hand. Bradts Albania also includes details of watching the countrys rare wildlife such as wildcats lynx wolves and bears and of visiting its three World Heritage Sites: the archaeological site and national park of Butrint and the Ottoman cities of Berati and Gjirokastra. Iso-polyphony the traditional music of the south-west is also listed as part of World Heritage by UNESCO. With rigorously researched historical and archaeological background information detailed notes on popular and less well-known hiking routes and other outdoor activities specialist contributors on wildlife military history and other topics and an unparalleled wealth of practical advice for the independent traveller Bradts Albania is the ideal companion for discovering this intriguing country.