Bradt Travel Guides

The new fourth edition of Bradt's Seville, thoroughly updated by a long-term resident of the Andalusian capital, celebrates everything that this seductive, romantic, hedonistic and culturally rich Spanish city has to offer. Visitors find that stereotypical tropes of this larger-than-life city add to, rather than detract from, its multiple charms: the mesmerising rhythms of flamenco, and in spring - the best time to visit, with comfortably warm days - the aromatic blossom of the bitter orange trees and the haunting hooded figures of Semana Santa (Holy Week). Few visitors fail to be seduced by the fun-loving sevillanos, the magical architecture and the fabulous food. Surrendering to the high-octane passion of the Feria, where flirtatious dancing is as essential as your frilly frock, is a must. Going back in time, trace this compact city's long history from the Roman mosaics of the Antiquarium to the intricate plasterwork and coloured azulejo ceramic tiles of King Pedro's Alcazar (Europe's oldest continuously occupied royal palace), and the minaret-turned-belltower of the world's largest Gothic cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is buried. Alternatively, gaze at works by Golden Age painters like Velázquez and Murillo at the Fine Arts museum, contemplate contemporary art at CaixaForum, take in a flamenco show, or track down places or scenes from famous operas set in Seville, including Carmen, the Barber of Seville and the Marriage of Figaro. Located on the River Guadalquivir ('mighty river' in Arabic), the city sits in a fertile valley bursting with first-class culinary ingredients - juicy tomatoes, tangy olives, delectable Iberian ham, revived grape varieties - meaning that Seville offers outstanding gastronomy. Whether you prefer traditional tiled tapas bars (tapas was allegedly invented here), experimental, industrial-chic restaurants, food trucks, riverside gastro festivals or markets where owner-producers proffer their own local wine and olive oil, eating in Seville is a joyful voyage of discovery. New elements of this edition include insights into lesser-known areas, itineraries for Triana and La Macarena, a focus on experiences such as cooking classes and sherry tastings, plus an expanded section on shopping - all of which help make Bradt's compact Seville guidebook the indispensable companion for visitors.

In 1968, aged 21, John Western left England, not realising that he might never bother to return. The boy who had always loved maps, trains and travel to new places was posted by Voluntary Service Overseas to a missionary school in rural Burundi, Central Africa. From the world's longest-industrialised country, he pitches into what was probably then its least industrialised nation. For two years, Western experiences life in an 'overwhelmingly illiterate subsistence economy of material poverty' - realities that provide the foundation for his fourth book, An Africa Ago. Two years after he leaves to study in the United States, Burundi's Tutsi ruling minority massacres 100,000 Hutus after an attempted coup against the military dictatorship. In 1975, Western - by this time, living in South Africa to research a doctoral thesis about apartheid in Cape Town - revisits Burundi to assess the aftermath. What he encounters will haunt him for ever. Of the schoolboys he taught, many have vanished into mass graves - carted off in lorries, still alive, then layered face down under rocks. 'The little mission hill,' he finds, 'is now a place of desolation, of widows and orphans and injustice'. Meanwhile, at the southern tip of this complex continent, Western's inside stories of the lives of Cape Town's 'Coloured' (mixed-race) residents, under the heel of 1970s apartheid, reveal an attempt to dominate, oppress and humiliate - not merely to racially segregate. But Western's memoir is not all darkness. There is adventure too - tales of overlanding 7,500 miles in barely two months, most by hitchhiking, Western's route taking in Botswana, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Zambia, Tanzania, and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). And there are accounts of strong bonds forged with working-class Afrikaners utterly removed from any political or racial disputes, the unexpected point of connection being a shared love of locomotives as the era of the steam engine was drawing to its close. And it is trains with which An Africa Ago closes - a luxurious journey on a Namibian 'sealed hotel-on-wheels' from which the author offers us a self-conscious, 21st-century return to the era of white settler colonialism in southern Africa.

'Nairobi enchants, like the eyes of a loved one, like their smile, like their kisses, like their caresses, like their very thought.' Thursdays in Nairobi is a personal account of an expat's life in Nairobi, related through a unique collection of vignettes about Kenya´s capital city. Written by Mexican journalist, foreign correspondent and former diplomat Diego Gómez Pickering, and translated from the original Spanish by Aaron Rosenberg, this unique travel narrative offers testimonies about the city's characters, history, neighbourhoods and atmospheres. Writing with affection and intensity, Gómez Pickering reveals Nairobi to be a cosmopolitan, vibrant, unequal and contrasting place where life becomes an addictive, exhilarating experience for both the chronicler and its readers. Join Gómez Pickering in exploring this Equatorial African city, sitting on his shoulder as he peers behind the scenes of diplomatic gatherings and keenly observes political life. Become a fly on the wall during Gómez Pickering's intimate interview with Sarah Onyango Obama, the third wife of Barack Obama's grandfather - and the woman that the former US President calls 'Granny Sarah'. Enjoy safaris within spitting distance of skyscrapers or brave a first-hand account of interethnic violence in East Africa. For something different, venture with the author into Kibera, the continent's largest urban slum, or head out after dark to experience Nairobi's offbeat nightlife (and, vicariously, the sex life of its inhabitants). This unprecedented collection of real-life stories celebrate the beauty, diversity, intrigue and visceral reality of one of Africa's most famous cities. Compelling, authentic and wide-ranging, Thursdays in Nairobi is a portrait of a capital where life is saturated with vitality, where emotions run high, where life is deeply felt. 'In Nairobi, one misses more, loves more, suffers more, laughs more. In Nairobi, questions that have never been asked are answered. In Nairobi, opposites meet; in Nairobi, halves unite.'

With a year-round tropical climate and relaxed atmosphere, Barbados is the ideal Caribbean destination for some fun in the sun. This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt's Barbados - still the only standalone travel guidebook to this Lesser Antilles island - offers extensive coverage of famous and lesser-known sights, from the glamorous celebrity-studded Platinum Coast to the wild, untamed remoteness of its Atlantic shoreline. The easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles is English-speaking and has a distinctly British vibe - both colonial legacies. Today the sun-drenched isle is especially popular with Europeans and North Americans. In-depth advice on accommodation features strongly, from luxury villas and multi-starred retreats to local guesthouses and family-friendly resorts, as do informed perspectives on where and what to eat, from gourmet beachside restaurants to Barbados street food and rum shops, where gossip is shared over a speciality tipple. Also covered are events that capture the culture, music (notably Caribbean jazz and calypso), food and drink of Bajan life, such as a Friday night 'lime' or 'fish-fry', plus sports and the much-loved Barbados carnival. Alongside excelling at toes-in-the-sand relaxation, Barbados richly rewards those who explore by bus, on day tours or by rental car - and doing so is straightforward, inexpensive and safe. The wilder east and north coasts are pounded by Atlantic waves: here you will find surfing, intriguing caves, coastal rambles, and charming and colourful villages comprising wooden chattel houses. Dotted amidst the sugar-cane fields of the interior are stately plantation houses, pretty botanical gardens and traditional rum distilleries. In the sleepy capital of Bridgetown, there's fine sightseeing around the Garrison Historic Area, in particular. You can even venture both underwater and underground - respectively gawping at nocturnal marine life on the Atlantis Submarine Night Tour or taking a tram through limestone caverns at Harrison's Cave - or trek through the tropical rainforest of Welchman Hall Gully. So whether you crave white-sand beaches fringed by an emerald-blue sea or duty-free shopping along Broad Street, fancy indulging in vibrant nightlife or clifftop hikes, or visiting traditional villages or local rum distilleries, this fifth edition of Bradt's Barbados has got you covered.

This thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt's Kazakhstan remains the only guidebook dedicated solely to the world's ninth largest country - a thrillingly fresh destination that even well-seasoned travellers will find unfamiliar and exotic. Geographically, this Central Asian state is impressively varied: choose from snow-covered peaks with excellent skiing opportunities, hiking trails through valleys, secluded lakes in the Tian Shan Mountains, endless semi-desert steppes and the Caspian Sea's blue waters. Culturally, Kazakhstan is similarly diverse, enabling visitors to enjoy authentic local hospitality from 130 ethnic groups. Kazakhstan is a modern country with a profound appreciation of its nomadic roots; petroglyph sites with ancient rock art plus the remains of Silk Road settlements testify to its varied history. Politically and socially, Kazakhstan now oscillates between east and west - a vibrancy reflected in its architecture, lifestyle and national ambitions. The small Caspian city of Aktau served as the cultural capital of the Turkic world during 2025, while the country's capital (Astana) is a statement of western-inspired modernity. Leafy Almaty, meanwhile, with its fountains and parks, remains by far the most charming (and somewhat nostalgic) city. Where you venture depends, in part, on when you visit - and every season offers something special. Late summer is best for mountain hiking, particularly in the Altai Mountains, sleeping on the shores of the Kolsai Lakes, or exploring the Caspian Sea coast. Winter is idyllic for skiing and skitouring. Spring and autumn are optimum for southern cities of Shymkent and Turkestan (where the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassaui is unmissable). And Baikonur Cosmodrome, of course, is best visited during a spaceport launch. Safe and politically neutral, Kazakhstan is also more accessible than ever: tourist visas are no longer required, and there are numerous direct flights from Europe. Tourist infrastructure has also significantly improved, with faster trains, more comfortable buses and efficient internal flights making it easy to get around. The new edition of Bradt's Kazakhstan covers all recent developments, including more practical information to make independent travel easier. Bradt's guidebook provides the perfect companion for all travellers, from nature lovers to cultural explorers, teenage backpackers to family groups.

This thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt's Suriname remains the most detailed English-language guidebook - and the only standalone guide from a major travel publisher - to this exciting and emerging ecotourism destination. With an unrivalled nine-tenths of the thinly populated country comprising unspoilt rainforest, Suriname has much to offer wildlife enthusiasts, adventurous travellers and anyone who delights in non-mainstream destinations. A true one-off, Suriname is geographically part of South America, but politically looks mainly towards the Caribbean and is inexorably tied, linguistically and historically, to the Netherlands, its former coloniser. Peaceful and stable, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence in 2025. Its forested interior is swathed by pristine Amazonian rainforest, rich in wildlife - from monkeys to macaws, tapirs to sloths - and accessible only by air or by motorised dugout along the tropical waterways that incise it. On the coast, the capital Paramaribo is a lively, culinarily rewarding, ethnically diverse city whose historic old quarter, lined with Dutch-Creole architectural gems, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby beaches offer some of the world's finest turtle-viewing sites, as well as superb aquatic and marine birdwatching, plus several impressive forest reserves. The longer you stay, the deeper you can delve. Explore various sites, including Peperpot Nature Park, along the Commewijne Plantation Loop. Marvel at 350 elaborate petroglyphs engraved into the walls of the Werehpai Caves, undiscovered by outsiders until 2004. Or visit the ruins of Jodensavanne ('Jewish Savannah'), Suriname's second-most important settlement until the early 19th century, and now its most important and intriguing historical site. Written by prolific guidebook author Philip Briggs, Bradt's Suriname offers detailed coverage of all accessible parks and reserves, gearing advice to visitors joining organised tours as well as those who prefer independent travel. It is also the first guidebook to provide a comprehensive section on the Upper Suriname River, an exciting and remote area serviced by around 20 small lodges. Despite such riches, however, tourism to this safe and friendly country remains in its infancy, making it a fabulously rewarding travel destination for those who relish the truly wild and offbeat.

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.

This new, tenth edition of Bradt's USA by Rail guidebook remains the pre-eminent source of information for exploring North America via its ruggedly charming, unabashedly romantic, reassuringly eco-friendly and pleasingly inexpensive train network. The grandeur of North America's scenery - from its never-ending prairies, the Joshua trees of the Mojave Desert and the saw-toothed peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the pounding surf of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans - is one of its greatest attractions, and there is no better way to enjoy it than by train. Pampered by helpful attendants, you can travel from coast to coast, explore the Rocky Mountains and ride alongside two oceans. You can cross rivers, lakes and deserts, often seeing places that cannot otherwise be visited. Rarely suffering from weather delays, trains keep travellers relaxed and in touch with an ever-changing landscape. You can choose your companions, read a book, let your thoughts unfurl, take a snooze and enjoy most of the comforts of home. Through 30 chapters, 35 maps and 40 colour photos, Bradt's USA by Rail showcases 26 long-distance train journeys across the United States plus 12 in Canada. These are complemented by sightseeing highlights for 38 major cities among 500 featured destinations. World-renowned locations such as Disney World, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls nestle alongside regional hidden gems, a history of North American railroads, and details of current steam train operators, tourist railways and museums. Originally written by the late John Pitt, who travelled 80,000 miles by train in North America, this extensive update from train-travel expert Jill Dutton reflects the latest developments in rail travel across North America, including the new Rocky Mountaineer route in the US, new high-speed sections of major routes, and changes to Amtrak routes and services. Throw in route plans, advice on onboard amenities, suggestions for accommodation options from cheap to chic, and help navigating unfamiliar train stations, and this unparalleled guidebook offers all the practical information required to make the most of a rail pass. In short, Bradt's USA by Rail remains the essential companion for smooth and successful train travel across North America.

This is Not My Land is award-winning travel writer Caroline Mills' enchanting narrative about life on a small farm in the heart of the English countryside. In 1995, when Caroline and her partner Paul were in their early 20s, they bought 65 acres of land on the edge of the north Cotswolds. Initially, they regarded it innocently as just land - something, hopefully, from which to make a living. Then they gave the land a name, and it became something. In almost 500 years, Caroline's land has had just four owners, including King Henry VIII. Walking repeatedly around the same five meadows and woodland, she witnesses how the farm and the surrounding landscape evolve across three decades. Realising that five fields and a wood is a big world in a small space, Caroline's nature writing exemplifies slow travel in its most microcosmic form. This is Not My Land brings the English countryside to life through a series of vignettes or 'journeys'. Learn how Caroline and her partner learn to manage and expand a designated wildlife site, how they build an eco-house and how they interact with nature. Join Caroline in finding enjoyment in wildlife: the barn owl that tracks up and down the meadow at dusk, the plumes of chimney sweeper moths that feed on the pignuts in spring, the migrant redwing flock that she awaits every autumn, and the ecstatic excitement of a skylark's arrival after 20 years of waiting. This is Not My Land recounts 30 years of living on and with the land, discovering an extraordinary 1,000-year history, transitioning to organic certification before it became fashionable (again), raising a family that becomes integral to the farm's identity, and learning its sense of place. Ultimately, Caroline realises that what she once regarded as merely 'land' is an increasingly rare and exceptional mosaic landscape - one with which she falls in love so deeply that it becomes unthinkable to her that anyone would wish to harm it, least of all those that with the power and duty to protect.

This extensively updated fifth edition of Bradt's Arctic is an engagingly written and beautifully illustrated full-colour guidebook to some of the world's most exciting wildlife. Designed with expedition-cruise passengers in mind, it is an ideal companion both on board and ashore, providing fascinating accounts of the most likely animals and plants to be seen - from polar bears and beluga whales to snowy owls and snow buttercups. Only a small number of hardy and evocative creatures - including narwhals, walruses and Ross's gulls - call the Arctic their year-round home. But come summer, the region explodes with life as plankton and plants flourish to support a massive population of fish, seabirds and whales, all taking advantage of seasonal abundance before retreating south to avoid the ice. For these few short months of almost endless daylight, the coastal Arctic - from Greenland to Svalbard, Alaska to the Bering Sea - offers a parade of wildlife delights. On a typical Arctic expedition cruise, you might marvel at walruses lounging on rocks or scan for harp seals bobbing in icy water. Watch Arctic foxes sniffing out goose eggs or gawp at the torrent of little auks flooding to cliffside breeding colonies. Keep your eyes peeled for polar bears and ivory gulls on ice floes, for the bushy blow that heralds a humpback whale or for a flash of white that signifies a beluga whale. Packed with fascinating natural histories that bring to life star species, and freshly updated throughout, Arctic is a timely celebration of polar nature in an era when climate change is profoundly affecting extreme northern latitudes. Written by the late Tony Soper, expedition leader and founder of the BBC Natural History Unit, illustrated with full-colour watercolour paintings from award-winning wildlife artist Dan Powell, and updated by naturalist and award-winning travel writer James Lowen, this new edition is packed with fascinating insights into the natural history of Arctic wildlife, its narrative bringing to life the creatures that visitors are likely to encounter. An eminently portable guidebook, Bradt's Arctic is the ideal companion for anyone exploring the far north.

In 2009, while the US Government is hunting down Osama bin Laden in the Middle East, Helen Watson and her husband Ed set off on a cycling expedition from Glasgow to China. Driven by a desire to understand the world beyond the media portrayal of George W. Bush's 'Axis of Evil', the couple pedal 15,000 km along the Silk Road - ancient trade routes that were undergoing rapid modernisation. Crossing deserts and mountains, minefields and military zones, they reach Muslim China via Syria, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. Plagued by sandstorms, overzealous officials and endless punctures, Helen and Ed camp with Bedouin, sleep in farmers' houses, and are hosted by students and local dignitaries. They are waylaid with hundreds of cups of tea and interrogated about Western culture. and marriage. Soon after the couple return home, the Arab Spring breaks, and the world Helen and Ed have visited is plunged into war and unrest. Memories of the hospitality the pair received lead them to welcome refugees to Scotland through the UK's first community sponsorship scheme - and to Helen writing about their adventure. Tea and Grit: a Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road illuminates places rarely visited by Western travel writers. Through Helen's evocative prose, visit Homs, the most embattled city of the Syrian War; Raqqa, the former capital of Islamic State; the Kurdish heartland of Eastern Turkey; the Islamic Republic of Iran; the secretive state of Turkmenistan; and Kashgar in Uyghur China. Through Helen's eyes, gain privileged glimpses into the lives of women in parts of the world characterised by the oppression of female liberties. Join Helen and Ed as they forsake the white noise of everyday British life to focus on real decisions: where to sleep, what to eat, how to stay safe. Rich in insight and compassion, Tea and Grit is a book about the rich and poetic cultures of the Silk Road, which have become imperilled by the aftermath of 9/11. Above all, Tea and Grit is a book about why it is more important than ever before to drink tea with the people we fear as strangers.

This new, fourth edition of Bradt''s Colombia has been thoroughly updated to include all the most recent developments in this emerging South American destination and to bring to the fore the country''s fast-developing ecotourism offering. After decades of trouble, Colombia now offers one of the most exciting new travel experiences in South America: following the 2016 peace accord, tourism is rapidly reviving as a key economic driver. Ranked the world''s third most beautiful country by Forbes Magazine, the country has nature at its heart. By some estimates, Colombia - being blessed with Andes, Amazon, coast and more besides - houses a staggering 10% of the planet''s animal and plant species: pink river dolphins swim in the Amazon near Leticia, ocelots slip between trees in vine-tangled rainforest and birdwatchers marvel at avian riches in the vast savannah of Los Llanos and various mountain ranges.In historic Bogotá, the capital, you can gaze in awe at the shimmering pre-Columbian treasures in the Museo de Oro that eluded the gold-greedy conquistadors, get a taste of fine dining at one of the best restaurants in the Americas and tour the city''s Instagram-friendly street art. Elsewhere, discover Mompós, a colonial backwater undergoing a renaissance with its traditional silver jewellery shops and international jazz festival, and explore the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve in the San Andrés Archipelago - where Providencia is the least developed and visited island in the entire Caribbean. Alternatively, why not go stargazing amid lunar landscapes in the Tatacoa Desert, cruise the Magdalena River from Cartagena to Barranquilla, watch humpback whales along the Pacific Coast, learn to wrangle cattle during the Coleo festival in Villavicencio, visit ancient rock paintings in unexplored Guaviare, try the traditional fermented tipple of the original Muisca people, admire the rainbow river of Cano Cristales or explore the untouched jungles of Chiribiquete National Park.New elements of this edition - updated by Latin American specialists who have worked on dozens of guidebooks - include coverage of Yopal, San José del Guaviare, Caqueta, Vichada, Guainia and Palomino. Whatever floats your boat, Bradt''s Colombia 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 pinxtos 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 Transcantabrico 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 Ponte Vedra are transformed into pop-up restaurants, with visitors invited to dine in garages, living rooms and homey 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 Euskarri, 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 new, comprehensively updated sixth edition of Bradt''s Lithuania remains the only full-length standalone guide to the largest and southernmost of the three Baltic states. Insider insights and intimate depictions - from authors steeped in the country''s tourism industry since 2000 - characterise this new guidebook to an exciting, relatively under-the-radar destination.The old town of Vilnius (the capital, where grand Gothic and Baroque façades line cobbled streets), the second city Kaunas and the UNESCO-listed Lithuanian coast (the Curonian Spit, with its traditional fishing villages amid fragile sand-dune ecosystems) are the eye candy that attract international visitors. Behind these main sights is a patchwork of unspoilt rolling landscapes, wholesome village life, crafts, traditions and scars from a brutal Soviet occupation. Upon these elements are layered the youthful energy, new technologies and quirky artistic expression that create the vibrant spirit leading Lithuania into a new era. Lithuania is a year-round destination with four distinct seasons: feel spring''s vitality when wandering amid wildflower-rich meadows; soak up summer vibes at the seaside; forage through autumnal forests; or crunch through crisp snow in old town streets. To get the best out of your stay, track down your interests locally. Rural heritage provides a strong identity and community here. If you visit a national park, attend an immersive crafts workshop, hike through the forests or visit wooden villages with their church-nesting storks. Foodies should not simply eat in the best restaurant in Vilnius, but attend a cookery class or lunch in a village tavern where not only is food how grandma cooks it but you will probably meet grandma. Deepen your understanding of this fascinating country by visiting Plokstine''s secret Soviet missile base (which now houses a Cold War museum) or the Hill of Crosses pilgrimage site (a national symbol of Lithuania''s resistance against foreign occupation). Stay in spa resorts in Druskininkai, Birstonas or Palanga, where Soviet sanatoriums have been replaced by indulgent wellness centres. Canoe around Trakai Castle then book a traditional ''Kibinai'' cookery workshop with the Karaite ethnic community. For all this, and much more besides, Bradt''s Lithuania guidebook provides the perfect travel companion.

Brand new from Bradt, and written by Africa expert Sean Connolly, is the first English-language guide dedicated to Mauritania, one of an ever more exclusive list of countries where the Sahara Desert can be securely and freely explored. Straddling the west coast of Africa for 700km between Western Sahara and Senegal, Mauritania occupies the threshold between North and sub-Saharan Africa, but remains a world apart from either - neither Moroccan nor Senegalese, but with strong influences from both. The country is now on a well-travelled route for overlanders heading south from Europe to start African trips. But most burn through to the southern border, rather than sticking around. Those who do stay may marvel at stone-built oasis towns tucked into dune fields the size of small countries, admire wild geological oddities like the Richat Structure (reputedly home to the lost city of Atlantis), explore a nearly uninhabited, wind-battered coast where you can sail between end-of-the-earth fishing villages in the Banc d''Arguin National Park or spend the night camping and sipping strong green tea on a cliffside in a traditional bedouin-style tent. Mauritania is huge, hot, dusty - and a blank spot on the map of all but the most diehard Africa travellers. If you''re willing to accept the truly scorching midday sun and the occasional mouthful of sand, your rewards will be the profound silence of nights under the desert stars and the warm hospitality and curiosity of everyday Mauritanians. Here you can sleep atop the world''s longest train (up to 3km long), camel-trek between the shifting dunes and lush oases of the Adrar, unfurl your sleeping mat under the stars, marvel at Chinguetti''s priceless manuscripts, soak up ancient rhythms along the Senegal River (where seasonal floods set the tempo), watch the Imraguen people fish co-operatively with dolphins, or get measured up for a billowing blue-and-white boubou or a melahfa outfit.Rich in background context, packed with practical information from getting around to cultural etiquette, and exploring the whole country from the capital Nouakchott to remote regions, Bradt''s pioneering guidebook to Mauritania is the essential travel companion for an unforgettable journey.

This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt''s Greece: The Peloponnese with Athens, Delphi and Kythira remains the only dedicated guidebook to the southern part of the Greek mainland. It provides more detailed coverage than any other rival guide, making it indispensable for independent and group travellers visiting a fascinating area slightly smaller than Wales. It also incorporates focussed mini-guides to the Greek capital of Athens and the world-famous site of Delphi.The Peloponnese contains a huge diversity of cultural landscapes, from sleepy, white-washed villages to Byzantine churches, medieval fortresses and ancient archaeological sites such as Olympia and Mycenae. In addition to a long Mediterranean coast lined with classic white sandy beaches, the peninsula incorporates towering mountains for hiking and skiing, olive groves which produce the finest fruit, and hillsides covered in flowers.Bradt''s Greece: The Peloponnese provides in-depth coverage of well-known sites, including one of Europe''s most spectacular train journeys and the tower houses of the famed Mani. Such information is complemented by descriptions of lesser-known attractions often ignored by other books. Those visiting outside of high season can revel in the delights of the wildflowers of spring, the joys of the olive harvest in late autumn and skiing opportunities during the winter. Birds and marine life are also a huge attraction at any season. The guide also focuses on the colourful life of the traditional paneyiri (festivals) and those who still embrace the Greek spirit of philoxenia (hospitality).The guide is packed with information on independent tours and activities, secluded villages and sophisticated towns, agritourism spots, camping under the stars, rustic tavernas and locally grown produce - all reflecting the reality that the Peloponnese, more than any other part of Greece, exemplifies the ideals of ''slow travel''.Originally written by Andrew Bostock, a former resident of the Peloponnese, this fifth edition has been updated by travel writer and Greece expert Mike Gerrard. New elements include refreshed hotel and restaurant listings, and details of new or upgraded museums such as the Epigraphic Museum (in Argos) and archaeological museums in Argos, Sparta and on the site of Ancient Messene.