Product Description

Experience the best of this diverse region with our 2nd edition: you'll shiver with Mostar's bridge divers as they plunge into the icy waters below; listen for the saint's heartbeat at the tomb of Sveti Naum; and cast off your clothes - and your cares - when you swim off Dubrovnik's Lokrum Island.

Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip.

In This Guide:

Includes chapters on Kosovo and Montenegro
Unique color sections highlighting the best of the Balkans
Fascinating interviews with winemakers, archaeologists, a bar owner and a historian

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #257149 in Books
• Brand: Lonely Planet
• Published on: 2009-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 452 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781741047295
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

covers a lot of ground in a little space
Travelled last summer to Croatia, Montenegro and Albania. The main benefit of this book is that it covers a large and complex region in a concise way. There really aren't many other travel books available on this part of the world. In addition to the usual list of attractions, restaurants, etc, the book offers a brief overview of history and languages of the various countries. I especially liked the cultural insight sidebars. I enjoyed reading them out loud to my friends from those countries and hearing their perspectives. The main drawbacks are what you would expect from a multi-country book: descriptions of many places are too brief to get any idea at all of what they are like, and even large cities are not treated in enough detail to really make plans, espcially if the author did not like the city. I spent a lot of time online before my trip making supplemental notes in the margins so I would really know where to stay and what to do. The other drawback is that the maps can be very misleading. To be fair, there may have been a disclaimer about this in the book--if so take it seriously. Just because a place is 30km away on the map, and there is a road shown, does not mean you can actually drive there on that road, or get there in less than 2 hours. Overall I would recommend this book in the interest of travelling light, but plan on supplementating a lot from other sources. And I definitely recommend the Balkans!

For an extremely helpful, well organized, and brief history lesson, check out the following book:
The Balkans: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles)

Macedonia/Western Balkans
Chris Deliso has done a great job capturing the mood and the sites in the ancient and beautiful country of Macedonia, which is waiting to be "discovered" by discerning travelers, who aren't afraid to step off the beaten paths of Europe to find new adventures. After living in the Bitola, Macedonia region for almost three years, I highly recommended all of the places and events Chris describes in that area and in nearby Ohrid. The rural village of Dihovo is a special and very inexpensive treat, as is the village of Elshani near Ohrid. In both locations you will slip into the past while staying with warm and friendly people, who are as interesting as they are hospitable. There are all sorts of new wine tours offered in central Macedonia that I really enjoyed, and the ruins near Bitola and Ohrid are must sees. And, Macedonian food is fresh, delicious and inexpensive - so indulge yourself.

You cannot miss when traveling with a Lonely Planet Guide, and all of the sections that Chris has authored include those easy-to-miss, but oh-so-rewarding places to eat, stay and hangout. His travelogue "Hidden Macedonia "offers even more information about this small and tourist friendly country for those planning a trip or for those, who prefer armchair travel.

I cannot wait to get back to Macedonia to enjoy the rich European atmosphere at budget prices.

Macedonia in the new 2009 Western Balkans Guide
The new 2009 Western Balkans Lonely Planet guide book chapter on Macedonia is a very much needed piece that contributes to our understanding of the Republic of Macedonia.

While the book covers 7 countries in the region, what might be the most interesting and exciting revelation for many travelers is the special attention given to Macedonia, still little visited by tourists. Not only does it provide extremely useful information about the "where," "how much," "when" and even "why" questions we might all ask about such a place, but it also provides helpful suggestions regarding people, places and things in Macedonia that might not be on our radar screen. Wine, the Mariovo region, carnivals and festivals and, importantly, the history that has helped to shape the Macedonian psyche, are all presented here, which help both the first-time traveler and the seasoned one to better appreciate, understand and of course, enjoy, Macedonia, her people and their warm and hospitable spirit.