Dana Facaros – författare

This thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Northern Greece guidebook, written by Greece expert and long-time travel writer Dana Facaros, remains the only guide available to a region that includes Épirus, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace - complete with their five dramatically beautiful national parks, the country's highest peaks, mountain lakes, rushing rivers, the world's deepest gorge and (this is Greece, after all) long sandy beaches. Northern Greece is an up-and-coming, year-round destination that provides the more natural, authentic experience that many travellers seek from this increasingly popular country. Thessaloníki, the country's vibrant second city, is packed with ancient and Byzantine monuments. Three-pronged Chalkidikí has two peninsulas lined with hedonistic beaches and resorts, while the third comprises silent, holy Mount Athos. Central Macedonia is Alexander the Great country, offering ample archaeological sites, Mount Olympus and Greece's top vineyards. The handsome port city of Kavála lies near the beach-fringed island of Thássos and ancient Philippi, visited by St Paul. To the east, multi-ethnic Thrace has traditional towns, spectacular birdwatching and the island of ancient mysteries, Samothráki. Western Macedonia, meanwhile, is full of surprises: charming small cities nobody has heard of, such as Édessa, Véria, Kastoriá and Flórina, which neighbours the haunting Prespa lakes. Further west, northern Épirus is home to the breathtaking Víkos Gorge and the Zagorachória's enchanting stone villages. Beaches dot the coast, if you can drag yourself away from ancient Roman Nikopolis, Dodona or the Necromanteion, where the living consulted the dead. Fringing Thessaly's great agricultural plain are Metéora's pinnacle-topped monasteries and beautiful Lake Plastíra. In Magnesía, Vólos provides the gateway to the Pélion Peninsula and the islands of Skiáthos, Skópelos and Alónissos. This new edition of Bradt's Northern Greece serves as an ideal travelling companion for visitors of all ages, budgets and interests, from culture lovers to wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs to archaeologists, foodies to wine connoisseurs, mountain climbers to sea kayakers - not to mention those who simply want to relax on a sandy beach before dancing the night away.

New from Bradt is Northern Spain, the most detailed guidebook available to a unique, compelling part of Iberia - a deep dive into a hitherto under-rated region. Incisive context covers modern history and environmental, social and economic issues, enabling the reader to take well-informed decisions about how best to experience a region extending from Galicia, in Spain's far northwest, east through the Basque Country to Navarra. Northern Spain offers enormous variety. In a single trip, you could explore Celtic heritage in Asturias, feast on Atlantic octopus in Galicia, enjoy pintxos snacks before a traditional asador barbeque in the Basque Country, surf breakers in the Bay of Biscay, walk and watch wildlife in the mountainous Picos de Europa National Park, travel along the winding Feve narrow-gauge railway or the luxurious Transcantabrica Gran Lujo train and enjoy a gentle bike ride along a 'Via Verde' (a disused railway line converted into walking and cycling routes).And northern Spain's delights do not stop there. Hikers and pilgrims alike tread along three ancient trails that comprise the Camino de Santiago, with the shrines of Santiago de Compostela as their ultimate destination. La Rioja is Spain's most renowned wine region, where wineries include the mind-bending Marques de Riscal - designed by Frank Gehry, who designed Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. Northern Spain is also a genuinely surprising region. Bagpipes are just as important a part of musical culture in some parts as they are in Scotland. In summer, homes in the wine-making region around Pontevedra are transformed into pop-up restaurants, with visitors invited to dine in garages, living rooms and homely kitchens - a traditional way of selling excess wine. Some medieval churches defy expectations, being decorated with sexy scenes that would be at home in the Kama Sutra. And if you're up for a challenge, why not try to speak Euskera, the unique Basque language with no known linguistic relatives. With heatwaves increasingly characterising Spain's popular Mediterranean coast in summer, the country's north (known as 'Green Spain') offers more clement conditions for a rewarding holiday. And what better travelling companion can you have than Bradt's Northern Spain?

New from Bradt is France: Languedoc-Roussillon, which celebrates in intimate detail the Occitanie, a charming region full of easily accessible contrasts in southwest France. Three local residents share their extensive, in-depth knowledge of the area, covering both well-known attractions and off-the-beaten-path delights. Expertly researched and with exemplary attention to detail, engaging writing and great ideas blend to furnish the perfect travel companion.From exploring Cathar castles to drifting down the Canal du Midi, from a bustling city break in vibrant Montpellier, Perpignan or Narbonne to an entrancing wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon offers ample destinations for anyone looking for a slick cosmopolitan adventure, with the endless delights of regional food, wine and culture thrown in liberally around every corner. If slow travel, sustainable tourism and the call of the wild are more your scene, you'll find plenty to enchant you, from looking for wolves and bison, or going white-water rafting, to hiking along 'Grand Randonnée' routes through the mountains up to Mount Canigou at 2,784 m altitude. For tranquillity, wide-open spaces and dark skies, you can't beat Parc National des Cévennes, whose nearly 3,000 square kilometres stretch across the sparsely populated Lozère and Gard regions. An almost endless choice of beaches is yours for the taking along the Mediterranean coast, backed by one of France's richest wine regions, which provides opportunities to taste and discover a true French treasure.Those so-minded can follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey on the Chemin de Stevenson, trace the Da Vinci Code trail, which celebrates locations associated with Dan Brown's novel, or visit Perpignan train station - deemed the "centre of the universe" by Salvador Dalí. Roman history and architecture abound: the Pont du Gard aqueduct is France's most-visited ancient monument, the exceptional Maison Carrée is a 1st-century BC temple, and Nîmes boasts the best preserved of Europe's 70 remaining Roman amphitheatres. Or you can go boating or canoeing along the Canal du Midi, the world's oldest navigable canal. Whatever your interests, and however you travel, Bradt's new guide to France: Languedoc-Roussillon has you covered.

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.

Bradt's Umbria & the Marche is the most detailed guide to combine these two small central Italian regions, which offer all the beauty, history and culture of neighbouring Tuscany only without the crowds, the traffic or eye-popping prices. Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls (authors of the original Cadogan guide to the area) lived in Umbria in the 1980s and have been returning regularly and writing about it ever since. They are the perfect guides to the region's landscapes, hill towns, food and wine, and art and architecture.The superb art cities of Umbria and the Marche steal the limelight - Perugia, Orvieto, Urbino, Assisi, Spoleto, Loreto, Todi, where art fills every church and palazzo. But never far from these centres wait unspoiled countryside of rolling olive groves, forests and meadows, long walks and towns and tiny villages, nearly all with a masterpiece or two to show off and a great little family-run restaurant. The Bradt guide covers them all, along with the republic of San Marino.The Apennines rule here. The Marche's geography is dominated by a series of east-west river valleys - the Metauro, Esino, Tronto, etc - twisting down to the Adriatic and often ending in long sandy beaches, from the historic towns of Senigallia and Fano through Ancona's Cornero Riviera to the Riviera delle Palme at San Benedetto del Tronto. Landlocked Umbria, where rivers flow into the mighty Tiber, has exceptional water features as well: Italy's fourth largest lake, Trasimeno; the Tiber Valley; Clitunno springs (once sacred to the Romans); and Italy's most beautiful waterfall, the Cascata delle Marmore. Featuring superb photography and expert recommendations to suit all budgets, Umbria & the Marche - the fifth in Bradt's increasingly highly regarded series of Italian regional titles - is a timely guide to a more authentic corner of Italy.

This new title continues Bradt's coverage of lesser-known but increasingly popular Italian regions and is the only guide available to Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region that forms the major part of the hinterland of Venice (but does not - despite the name - include Venice itself), and which is a convenient and fascinating place to spend time on the beach, in the Alps or relaxing in the country. It is notable also for its wines and distinctive cuisine, which, with touches of neighbouring Austria and Slovenia stirred in, are starting to attract attention around the world.Written by long-time travel authors and Italy specialists Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, background and practical information are complemented by ten easy-to-follow chapters, covering Trieste, its coast and the Carso, the Friuli coast, Gorizia and the Collio, Udine, Pordenone and Western Friuli, and the mountains: the Friulian Dolomites, Carnia and the Julian Alps. Set in Italy's northeastern corner, Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse parts of the country - and also one of the least known.With Bradt's Friuli Venezia Giulia, explore this small but varied region in detail, from the Alps of the north to the coastal resorts, unspoiled wetlands and lagoons, and from medieval towns like Cividale del Friuli to the strange desert steppe called the Magredi and the lovely wine region of Il Collio. Discover the regional capital, caffeine-mad Trieste, where there are 67 different ways of ordering a cup of coffee, and Gorizia, one of the biggest battle fronts of World War I, which survives almost intact, with miles of trenches and fortifications open for exploration. Bradt's Friuli Venezia Giulia offers everything you need for a successful trip.

Written by expert travel-writers with more than 40 titles to their name, Bradt's Gascony & the Pyrenees is the only current English-language guide to the entirety of this fascinating, relatively under-visited and consequently affordable region of southwest France. Offering advice on where to stay and eat with what to do and see, this new guide provides everything you need for an enjoyable, fulfilling visit. In Gascony, everyone can find their own adventure. Surfers can ride Atlantic waves at Hossegor and Mimizan. Sun-seekers can loll on the Landes' beaches, then stretch their legs by climbing Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat. Hikers can trek high into the Pyrenees to gawp at majestic cirques, while those less energetic can go on a donkey-backl. Families can bike along numerous backways, while cycling buffs cheer on the professionals during the Pyrenees stage of the Tour de France. Activity enthusiasts aside, the region will delight anyone who craves a slower-paced holiday in beautiful natural landscapes. Culture buffs can linger in the coastal art havens of Collioure, Port- Vendres and Céret, or discover Palaeolithic cave art at Niaux and Le Mas-d'Azil. Pilgrims can follow the path to Lourdes. Fans of the bizarre can visit Salvador Dali's 'centre of the universe' (Perpignan train station) or La Pourcailhade, the pig festival of Tri-sur-Baïse. Urbanites can enjoy the splendours of Perpignan, Bayonne, Biarritz and Auch, or take it down a notch at medieval Catalan villages. For quirky retail therapy, shopaholics can browse the espadrilles for which Mauléon is famed or the berets synonymous with Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Gourmets will delight in the quality of local cuisine, from cèpe mushrooms and poulet au pot to a flock of duck-based dishes. Cocooned within quiet, natural settings, yoga practitioners can calm mind and body with various wellness therapies. And whatever floats your boat, everyone can relax in some of the hundreds of personally recommended places to stay - from charming inns and spas to restored medieval stables, and even the astronomers' dormitories at the Pic du Midi. All conveyed through the intimate expert insights that characterise Bradt's Gascony & the Pyrenees.

The new, extensively updated second edition of Bradt's Emilia-Romagna is the most thorough and in-depth guidebook available to this entire north Italian region (not just Bologna and the main cities). This region blends the best of Italy: a gastronomic hub, elegant cities with vibrant cultural offerings and a coastline favoured by the Italians themselves. Emilia-Romagna combines the rich farmlands of the Po plain with dazzling cities strung like pearls along the straight-as-a-die Via Emilia. The regional capital, Bologna, is home to the world's oldest university, while the smaller cities are strikingly different, year-round destinations. Parma (the town of Correggio) has opera at its heart and prosciutto to delight the palate; Modena, with its stupendous medieval cathedral and world-famous balsamic vinegar, once home to Pavarotti and still to Ferrari; Ferrara boasts the House of Este's spectacular Renaissance architecture; Ravenna glitters with Byzantine mosaics; and Rimini - immortalised by Fellini in Amarcord - offers the hedonistic attractions of the coast. Then there are the Apennines along the Tuscan border, where you can venture beyond the flatlands of the Po to go trekking, cycling and skiing. Here lie some of the region's prettiest villages and towns, including Vignola, famous for cherries, and lovely medieval Castell'Arquato and the beautifully preserved Brisighella (famed for its olive oil and Moretto artichokes). Meanwhile, to the east, Romagna holds long sandy Adriatic beaches, wildlife-filled lagoons around the Po Delta, and the world's smallest republic, San Marino. Written by expert authors Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, possibly the world's most experienced travel writers on Italy, and updated by Italy aficionados Andrew and Suzanne Edwards, Bradt's Emilia-Romagna is the definitive guide to this diverse, authentic area. A strong focus on historical context, art and culture is complemented by extensive practical detail for travelling around - from restaurants and accommodation to shopping and the FICO Eataly food theme park. New coverage in this edition includes literary tourism near Rimini and Ferrara, the Fellini Museum, the Fondazione MAST technology museum, the Via Romagna cycle path, birdwatching in the Po Delta, and Po Grande Reserve. With Bradt's Emilia-Romagna you can discover all of this and more.

New from Bradt is Afghanistan, the first travel guidebook to the country from a mainstream publisher in almost 20 years. Afghanistan is a paradox: a nation so well-known internationally, yet one so infrequently explored that it has been effectively untouched by tourism since being a key stop on the hippie trail four decades ago. The Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, China and the ex-USSR 'stans collide in Afghanistan. It is both the graveyard of empires and one of the world's most hospitable countries. From the searing deserts of the south to the high peaks of the Hindu Kush, any trip here is challenging - but one that is now eminently possible with the right preparation. Cue expert travel advice from Bradt's authorial team, comprising an adventure-tourism specialist and a prolific guidebook-writer who cover all the practicalities needed to travel securely and rewardingly - from how female travellers should best enjoy the country to where to stay in Kabul, the sprawling capital.Even the most well-travelled visitor will find their soul stirred and their blood pumping from spending time in Afghanistan. Visit iconic locations such as the Khyber Pass, the Minaret of Jam (14 hours' drive from the nearest paved road!) or the Buddha Niches of Bamian (even if the Taliban have destroyed the statues once found there). Go trekking with Kyrgyz nomads in the Pamir mountains. On the vast steppe, watch buzkashi, a sport where riders attempt to place a goat carcass in a goal. Stay in chaikhanas, communal tea houses that have changed little from the time of Silk Road traders. Enjoy Herat's Timurid architectural gems. Visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali, Afghanistan's pre-eminent pilgrimage site, in Mazar e Sharif. At Band e Amir, experience the country's first national park, and take a swan-shaped pedalo across the lapis lazuli blue waters of its lakes. Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo in the Wakhan Corridor. Or hike among the forested peaks of Nuristan, where non-Afghan visitors so rarely tread. With Bradt's Afghanistan to inform and inspire you, the off-beat holiday of a lifetime beckons.

Bradt's newly published Catalunya & Barcelona has the most extensive coverage of any travel guidebook to the whole of this fiercely independent region (both French and Spanish sides), which is proud of its strong identity and packs a huge amount of fascination and contrast into a conveniently small area – from the Pyrenees mountains and sparkling Mediterranean coves to crisp cava and world-renowned cuisine. Although Barcelona, with its Gaudí architecture, may be the best-known destination, the rest of Catalunya generates the identity of which local residents are so proud. Although officially a semi-autonomous comunidad, Catalunya feels like a separate country – as arguably befits its history as a medieval kingdom that ruled parts of southernmost France, the Balearics and even what is now the Italian island of Sardinia. Written by long-time travel authors Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, and Mary-Ann Gallagher, who has lived in Barcelona since the mid-2000s, Bradt's new guidebook furnishes detailed background and practical information in eight easy-to-follow chapters, providing in-depth guides to Barcelona plus the provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragon and Lleida, alongside sections covering the Costa Brava (where charming fishing villages and isolated beaches offset mass-tourism resorts), the Pyrenees (including Andorra) and French Catalunya (including Perpignan). Written with a light, deft touch that conveys a genuine passion for Catalan culture and people, Catalunya & Barcelona provides manifold reasons to get off the beaten path and explore areas that offer outstanding natural beauty, great food, history and culture. In this region of contrasting landscapes, it is eminently possible to ski in the Pyrenees in the morning, then sunbathe on a Mediterranean beach in the afternoon. Discover Catalunya's strangest festivals, from pet blessings and silent choirs to dancing eggs and human castles. Bring history to life by visiting Iberian villages, Roman walls and washtubs, haunting Romanesque frescoes, medieval hamlets where time seems to have stopped. Explore blissfully uncrowded nature reserves and mountain ranges, smuggler paths on rugged coasts, valleys scented with almond and cherry blossom. And savour the best Catalan cuisine, considered one of the world's finest, from traditional country towns to avant-garde culinary fireworks in globally renowned restaurants. AUTHORS: Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls spent a year in Spain and for the last two decades plus have lived in southwest France, only three hours from the Catalan border. They first visited the region in 1980, when the food was awful and parts of Barcelona were still very dodgy, but you could buy a flat for a few grand (unfortunately they didn't!) They go back as often as possible. Originally from the UK, Mary-Ann Gallagher is a writer, translator and editor who has lived in Barcelona for the past 20 years and has contributed to more than two dozen guidebooks on Catalunya and Spain. She's explored every nook and cranny of the region over the years, gaining a deep understanding of its unique culture, traditions and landscape. It's hard to resist a place which builds human castles that are ten storeys high, unleashes fire-spitting dragons at every festival, and where food – from humble pa amb tomàquet to the fanciest foams – is always front and centre of every gathering. A long-time friend and collaborator of the extraordinary Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls writing duo, she is thrilled to be a part of this book's journey. 40 colour photos, 23 maps

This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Friuli Venezia Giulia continues Bradt's coverage of lesser-known but increasingly popular Italian regions. Forming much of the hinterland of Venice (but not - despite the name - including Venice itself), Friuli Venezia Giulia is a convenient and fascinating destination for spending time on the beach, in the Alps or relaxing in the countryside. It is celebrated also for its wines and distinctive cuisine, which are attracting worldwide attention.Written by long-time travel authors and Italy specialists Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, and updated by Mediterranean afficionado Julian McDonnell, detailed background and practical information about this ethnically and culturally diverse region are complemented by ten easy-to-follow chapters, providing in-depth city guides to Trieste and Udine, alongside covering the Trieste coast and the Carso, the Friuli coast, Gorizia and the Collio, Pordenone and Western Friuli, and the mountains: the Friulian Dolomites, Carnia and the Julian Alps. With Bradt's Friuli Venezia Giulia, explore this small but varied region in detail, from the Alps to coastal resorts, unspoiled wetlands and lagoons, and from medieval towns like Cividale del Friuli to the Megredi, a strange desert steppe, and the lovely wine region of Il Collio. Discover the regional capital, caffeine-mad Trieste, where there are 67 different ways of ordering a cup of coffee, and Gorizia, one of the biggest battle fronts of World War I, which survives almost intact, with miles of trenches and fortifications open for exploration. New elements of this edition include itineraries covering food, wine and culture - so prepare to eat authentic cured meats in San Daniele del Friuli or Montasio cheese in the natal region of celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich. For something different, enjoy antiquities such as the Lombards Temple, marvel at the Roman ruins of Aquileia, explore the karst caves and numerous villages of the Carso plateau, board a boat to go birdwatching on the Grado lagoon, cycle through the green wilderness to Magredi Natural Park or ski in the Dolomites. Whatever floats your holiday boat, Bradt's Friuli Venezia Giulia offers everything you need for a successful trip.

New from Bradt is France: Languedoc-Roussillon, which celebrates in intimate detail the Occitanie, a charming region full of easily accessible contrasts in southwest France. Three local residents share their extensive, in-depth knowledge of the area, covering both well-known attractions and off-the-beaten-path delights. Expertly researched and with exemplary attention to detail, engaging writing and great ideas blend to furnish the perfect travel companion.From exploring Cathar castles to drifting down the Canal du Midi, from a bustling city break in vibrant Montpellier, Perpignan or Narbonne to an entrancing wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon offers ample destinations for anyone looking for a slick cosmopolitan adventure, with the endless delights of regional food, wine and culture thrown in liberally around every corner. If slow travel, sustainable tourism and the call of the wild are more your scene, you ll find plenty to enchant you, from looking for wolves and bison, or going white-water rafting, to hiking along Grand Randonnee routes through the mountains up to Mount Canigou at 2,784 m altitude. For tranquillity, wide-open spaces and dark skies, you can t beat Parc National des Cevennes, whose nearly 3,000 square kilometres stretch across the sparsely populated Lozere and Gard regions. An almost endless choice of beaches is yours for the taking along the Mediterranean coast, backed by one of France s richest wine regions, which provides opportunities to taste and discover a true French treasure.Those so-minded can follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey on the Chemin de Stevenson, trace the Da Vinci Code trail, which celebrates locations associated with Dan Brown s novel, or visit Perpignan train station deemed the centre of the universe by Salvador Dali. Roman history and architecture abound: the Pont du Gard aqueduct is France s most-visited ancient monument, the exceptional Maison Carree is a 1st-century BC temple, and Nimes boasts the best preserved of Europe s 70 remaining Roman amphitheatres. Or you can go boating or canoeing along the Canal du Midi, the world s oldest navigable canal. Whatever your interests, and however you travel, Bradt s new guide to France: Languedoc-Roussillon has you covered.

New from Bradt is Northern Spain, the most detailed guidebook available to a unique, compelling part of Iberia - a deep dive into a hitherto under-rated region. Incisive context covers modern history and environmental, social and economic issues, enabling the reader to take well-informed decisions about how best to experience a region extending from Galicia, in Spain's far northwest, east through the Basque Country to Navarra. Northern Spain offers enormous variety. In a single trip, you could explore Celtic heritage in Asturias, feast on Atlantic octopus in Galicia, enjoy pintxos snacks before a traditional asador barbeque in the Basque Country, surf breakers in the Bay of Biscay, walk and watch wildlife in the mountainous Picos de Europa National Park, travel along the winding Feve narrow-gauge railway or the luxurious Transcantabrica Gran Lujo train and enjoy a gentle bike ride along a Via Verde (a disused railway line converted into walking and cycling routes).And northern Spain s delights do not stop there. Hikers and pilgrims alike tread along three ancient trails that comprise the Camino de Santiago, with the shrines of Santiago de Compostela as their ultimate destination. La Rioja is Spain s most renowned wine region, where wineries include the mind-bending Marques de Riscal designed by Frank Gehry, who designed Bilbao s Guggenheim Museum. Northern Spain is also a genuinely surprising region. Bagpipes are just as important a part of musical culture in some parts as they are in Scotland. In summer, homes in the wine-making region around Pontevedra are transformed into pop-up restaurants, with visitors invited to dine in garages, living rooms and homely kitchens a traditional way of selling excess wine. Some medieval churches defy expectations, being decorated with sexy scenes that would be at home in the Kama Sutra. And if you re up for a challenge, why not try to speak Euskera, the unique Basque language with no known linguistic relatives. With heatwaves increasingly characterising Spain s popular Mediterranean coast in summer, the country s north (known as Green Spain ) offers more clement conditions for a rewarding holiday. And what better travelling companion can you have than Bradt s Northern Spain?

This thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Northern Greece guidebook, written by Greece expert and long-time travel writer Dana Facaros, remains the only guide available to a region that includes Epirus, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace - complete with their five dramatically beautiful national parks, the country's highest peaks, mountain lakes, rushing rivers, the world's deepest gorge and (this is Greece, after all) long sandy beaches. Northern Greece is an up-and-coming, year-round destination that provides the more natural, authentic experience that many travellers seek from this increasingly popular country. Thessaloniki, the country s vibrant second city, is packed with ancient and Byzantine monuments. Three-pronged Chalkidiki has two peninsulas lined with hedonistic beaches and resorts, while the third comprises silent, holy Mount Athos. Central Macedonia is Alexander the Great country, offering ample archaeological sites, Mount Olympus and Greece s top vineyards. The handsome port city of Kavala lies near the beach-fringed island of Thassos and ancient Philippi, visited by St Paul. To the east, multi-ethnic Thrace has traditional towns, spectacular birdwatching and the island of ancient mysteries, Samothraki. Western Macedonia, meanwhile, is full of surprises: charming small cities nobody has heard of, such as Edessa, Veria, Kastoria and Florina, which neighbours the haunting Prespa lakes. Further west, northern Epirus is home to the breathtaking Vikos Gorge and the Zagorachoria s enchanting stone villages. Beaches dot the coast, if you can drag yourself away from ancient Roman Nikopolis, Dodona or the Necromanteion, where the living consulted the dead. Fringing Thessaly s great agricultural plain are Meteora s pinnacle-topped monasteries and beautiful Lake Plastira. In Magnesia, Volos provides the gateway to the Pelion Peninsula and the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. This new edition of Bradt s Northern Greece serves as an ideal travelling companion for visitors of all ages, budgets and interests, from culture lovers to wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs to archaeologists, foodies to wine connoisseurs, mountain climbers to sea kayakers not to mention those who simply want to relax on a sandy beach before dancing the night away.

Bradt's newly published Catalunya & Barcelona has the most extensive coverage of any travel guidebook to the whole of this fiercely independent region (both French and Spanish sides), which is proud of its strong identity and packs a huge amount of fascination and contrast into a conveniently small area - from the Pyrenees mountains and sparkling Mediterranean coves to crisp cava and world-renowned cuisine. Although Barcelona, with its Gaudi architecture, may be the best-known destination, the rest of Catalunya generates the identity of which local residents are so proud. Although officially a semi-autonomous comunidad, Catalunya feels like a separate country as arguably befits its history as a medieval kingdom that ruled parts of southernmost France, the Balearics and even what is now the Italian island of Sardinia. Written by long-time travel authors Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, and Mary-Ann Gallagher, who has lived in Barcelona since the mid-2000s, Bradt s new guidebook furnishes detailed background and practical information in eight easy-to-follow chapters, providing in-depth guides to Barcelona plus the provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, alongside sections covering the Costa Brava (where charming fishing villages and isolated beaches offset mass-tourism resorts), the Pyrenees (including Andorra) and French Catalunya (including Perpignan). Written with a light, deft touch that conveys a genuine passion for Catalan culture and people, Catalunya & Barcelona provides manifold reasons to get off the beaten path and explore areas that offer outstanding natural beauty, great food, history and culture. In this region of contrasting landscapes, it is eminently possible to ski in the Pyrenees in the morning, then sunbathe on a Mediterranean beach in the afternoon. Discover Catalunya s strangest festivals, from pet blessings and silent choirs to dancing eggs and human castles. Bring history to life by visiting Iberian villages, Roman walls and washtubs, haunting Romanesque frescoes, medieval hamlets where time seems to have stopped. Explore blissfully uncrowded nature reserves and mountain ranges, smuggler paths on rugged coasts, valleys scented with almond and cherry blossom. And savour the best Catalan cuisine, considered one of the world s finest, from traditional country towns to avant-garde culinary fireworks in globally renowned restaurants.

This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Friuli Venezia Giulia continues Bradt's coverage of lesser-known but increasingly popular Italian regions. Forming much of the hinterland of Venice (but not - despite the name - including Venice itself), Friuli Venezia Giulia is a convenient and fascinating destination for spending time on the beach, in the Alps or relaxing in the countryside. It is celebrated also for its wines and distinctive cuisine, which are attracting worldwide attention.Written by long-time travel authors and Italy specialists Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, and updated by Mediterranean afficionado Julian McDonnell, detailed background and practical information about this ethnically and culturally diverse region are complemented by ten easy-to-follow chapters, providing in-depth city guides to Trieste and Udine, alongside covering the Trieste coast and the Carso, the Friuli coast, Gorizia and the Collio, Pordenone and Western Friuli, and the mountains: the Friulian Dolomites, Carnia and the Julian Alps. With Bradt s Friuli Venezia Giulia, explore this small but varied region in detail, from the Alps to coastal resorts, unspoiled wetlands and lagoons, and from medieval towns like Cividale del Friuli to the Megredi, a strange desert steppe, and the lovely wine region of Il Collio. Discover the regional capital, caffeine-mad Trieste, where there are 67 different ways of ordering a cup of coffee, and Gorizia, one of the biggest battle fronts of World War I, which survives almost intact, with miles of trenches and fortifications open for exploration. New elements of this edition include itineraries covering food, wine and culture so prepare to eat authentic cured meats in San Daniele del Friuli or Montasio cheese in the natal region of celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich. For something different, enjoy antiquities such as the Lombards Temple, marvel at the Roman ruins of Aquileia, explore the karst caves and numerous villages of the Carso plateau, board a boat to go birdwatching on the Grado lagoon, cycle through the green wilderness to Magredi Natural Park or ski in the Dolomites. Whatever floats your holiday boat, Bradt s Friuli Venezia Giulia offers everything you need for a successful trip.

New from Bradt is Afghanistan, the first travel guidebook to the country from a mainstream publisher in almost 20 years. Afghanistan is a paradox: a nation so well-known internationally, yet one so infrequently explored that it has been effectively untouched by tourism since being a key stop on the hippie trail four decades ago. The Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, China and the ex-USSR stans collide in Afghanistan. It is both the graveyard of empires and one of the world s most hospitable countries. From the searing deserts of the south to the high peaks of the Hindu Kush, any trip here is challenging but one that is now eminently possible with the right preparation. Cue expert travel advice from Bradt s authorial team, comprising an adventure-tourism specialist and a prolific guidebook-writer who cover all the practicalities needed to travel securely and rewardingly from how female travellers should best enjoy the country to where to stay in Kabul, the sprawling capital.Even the most well-travelled visitor will find their soul stirred and their blood pumping from spending time in Afghanistan. Visit iconic locations such as the Khyber Pass, the Minaret of Jam (14 hours drive from the nearest paved road!) or the Buddha Niches of Bamian (even if the Taliban have destroyed the statues once found there). Go trekking with Kyrgyz nomads in the Pamir mountains. On the vast steppe, watch buzkashi, a sport where riders attempt to place a goat carcass in a goal. Stay in chaikhanas, communal tea houses that have changed little from the time of Silk Road traders. Enjoy Herat s Timurid architectural gems. Visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali, Afghanistan s pre-eminent pilgrimage site, in Mazar e Sharif. At Band e Amir, experience the country s first national park, and take a swan-shaped pedalo across the lapis lazuli blue waters of its lakes. Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo in the Wakhan Corridor. Or hike among the forested peaks of Nuristan, where non-Afghan visitors so rarely tread. With Bradt s Afghanistan to inform and inspire you, the off-beat holiday of a lifetime beckons.