Kosovo

This new fully updated 3rd edition of Bradt's Kosovo is the only full-length English guidebook to this land rich in cultural heritage, generous hospitality and stunning scenery which is celebrating its 10th anniversary of unilateral independence from Serbia.

Updated by two resident tourism experts, this new edition is an ideal companion for all visitors, offering maps, contacts and detailed information not easily accessible online, insider knowledge of one of Europe's last unspoiled destinations, and comprehensive detail on sites, attractions and practical information. What was once a hub for adventurous backpackers and international organisations has become an outdoor adventure destination in its own right with a compelling buzz thanks in part to a vibrant and dynamic young population: the average age here is 26. Mega-hiking trails like the Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans have brought attention to the country's unmatched scenery and multitude of 2500+ meter peaks. New via ferratas - climbing routes - in the country's north and west appeal to the adventurous set, while newly restored archaeological sites offer a haven for history buffs as well.

This third edition contains a wealth of new tour operators and fully-updated maps to key cities, regions, and hiking trails that make it easier than ever to explore Europe's youngest country. Ringed by high mountains and recovering from a turbulent past, Kosovo is enjoying a tourism renaissance. Following this guide, visitors can ski over pristine snowfields and hike among saw-toothed mountains, explore the ebb and flow of Islam and of Orthodox Christianity at beautiful shrines such as Gracanica Monastery or Prizren's Sinan Pasha Mosque, sample raki at one of the vineyards, visit a traditional stone kulla, and be initiated into Pristina's coffee-drinking culture.

Bradt's Kosovo caters for all travellers. With detailed descriptions of the country's lively cafes and wide-ranging restaurants, as well as the thriving outdoor adventure scene, plus accommodation to suit all budgets, this new edition is the ideal companion for tourists, NGOs and long-term visitors.

About the Author

Verena Knaus is a founding member of the European Stability Initiative (ESI), a non-profit think tank with offices in Pristina, Istanbul, Brussels and Berlin. Before joining ESI, she studied modern history at Oxford and international relations and economics at The Johns Hopkins University. She first came to Kosovo in summer 2001 to set up a Lessons Learned and Analysis Unit, a joint project of ESI and the UN administration in Kosovo.

Gail Warrander was a lawyer in the City of London and then for Reuters. On a commuter train she was drawn by an advert in The Economist and left 'the big smoke' to help with the EU-funded economic reconstruction effort in Kosovo. After three years working on infrastructure and privatisation projects she switched to working directly for the business community of Kosovo, running her own commercial law firm in Kosovo and working extensively with foreign and local investors. This edition has been updated by Bridget Nurre Jennions and Larissa Olenicoff.

Bridget Nurre Jennions is an Emmy Award-winning former network news producer who worked as a communications expert for international development projects in Kosovo from 2013 to early 2017.

Larissa Olenicoff is an established travel blogger and consultant for destination marketing and tourism development with a Master of Arts in European Studies from Lund University in Sweden.