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This new ninth edition of Bradt?s Malawi remains the only standalone practical guidebook to this magical southeast African destination produced by a mainstream publisher. Long known as the ?warm heart of Africa?, thanks to its traditional welcome, Malawi is a small country with a big lake ? accounting for around a third of its territory ? and, oddly, is the first nation outside Denmark to have a Carlsberg brewery.The guide takes you from the northern Nyika Plateau with its zebra herds to the long lake shore and the easy charm of baobab-studded Likoma Island. Heading south, you come to the capital Lilongwe and nearby Cape Maclear, a low-key resort town with excellent diving and snorkelling. From here you can travel to Liwonde National Park, famed for its abundant elephant and hippo, and the historic town of Zomba, whose high plateau is criss-crossed by hiking trails. Heading south again brings you to Mount Mulanje, the country?s highest peak at 3,002 m.Malawi offers many outstanding adventure opportunities: kayaking on the vast lake amongst dug-out canoes; walking up the Rift Valley escarpment to Livingstonia; and watching the ?big five? in wonderful natural surroundings. With the reintroduction of sought-after mammals, including elephants to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and African wild dogs to Liwonde, plus excellent birdwatching, Malawi is a wildlife destination to savour. Also up for discovery are a resurgent music scene (including the Tumaini Festival), intriguing monuments, ancient rock art at Chongoni and compelling village culture. Written by Philip Briggs (arguably the world?s most experienced guidebook author) and updated by Helen Smith (who partly grew up in Malawi), this ninth edition benefits from a brand new, full-colour guide to wildlife and a thorough update of key practical information. Dedicated chapters on background context, health, and flora and fauna are complemented by a 19-chapter breakdown of the country and 38 maps, making this an ideal companion for backpackers, overlanders, wildlife watchers, birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. From luxury camps to local guesthouses, from rhino trekking to cycle tours. and from crafts to cultural tourism, Bradt?s Malawi covers every aspect of an unforgettable trip to Africa.

Bradt''s Paraguay was the first standalone guidebook to the country published internationally, and this new fourth edition remains the most detailed guide available. Covering the whole of this little-explored South American nation, it complements the best-known sights with off-the-beaten-track attractions well beyond the tourist trail, and throws in a cross-border excursion to adjacent Iguazú/Iguaçu Falls (one of the ''New 7 Wonders of Nature'').Sitting in the heart of South America, Paraguay takes the shape of a lopsided butterfly, its wings divided by the River Paraguay. Its western part is the Chaco - a wildlife-rich area of wetlands and arid woodland that reaches north to enter the famous Pantanal region. The eastern region is characterised by craft, music and campesino country life, with landscapes including savannahs and vestiges of Atlantic Forest. The country is perfect for the adventurous traveller who likes to be immersed in local culture and natural landscapes. Nature and ecclesiastical tourism are both rewarding, travelling is inexpensive, music and dance are widely enjoyed (including during Encarnación''s month-long carnival), and history centres on old Jesuit mission settlements. Then there are elements of intrigue: football is believed to have been invented in Paraguay''s Jesuit missions during 1793; the Paraguayan harp is a world-renowned beautiful instrument; drinking tereré (an ice-cold infusion of yerba maté leaves and medicinal herbs) is a communal event; and Chaco salt lakes were actually open sea 60 million years ago.Written by a long-term resident who leads an educational charity and founded a small hotel run for community profit, and thoroughly updated by two seasoned travel writers who have worked on scores of guidebooks, this new edition reflects recent changes in Paraguay. There is greater coverage of ecotourism destinations such as Yacyretá, Yabebyrý, Mbaracayú and Atinguý, while the capital Asunción features new sights including the Centro Cultural de Espana Juan de Salazar.With everything from phone numbers of local keyholders to museums and churches to a map of how to reach remote waterfalls and advice on etiquette, Bradt''s Paraguay offers all the background information required for a successful trip to this gem of a South American country.

This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt's Bratislava remains the only standalone guide from a major publisher that is dedicated to this compact and increasingly popular capital of Slovakia - declared by the legendary Casanova as 'the most beautiful city in Europe' (and he knew a thing or two about beauty). Situated by the mighty Danube River and nestling in the Small Carpathian Mountains, with new downtown skyscrapers overlooking refurbished old buildings, Bratislava is indeed a good-looking city, filled with good-looking people who seem to enjoy life. Bratislava is a city that effortlessly blends history with hedonism, where world-class restaurants have been joined by a clutch of artisan coffee houses and literary tea- and bookshops. Local winemakers are going from strength to strength, with orange and natural wines becoming a speciality, while microbreweries are producing all sorts of dark beers and IPAs as well as pilsners. Split into ten easy-to-follow chapters, Bradt's Bratislava contextualises your visit by summarising local politics and cultural etiquette, then advises on planning, practical information, local transport (including the expanding bike-sharing scheme), accommodation, eating and drinking, entertainment, nightlife and shopping. City walks are also included, focusing on the main sights and beyond, as is sightseeing from castles and palaces to museums, galleries, churches, gardens and parks. Beyond the city itself there are sections on Devin, Cerveny Kamen, Ancient Gerulata, Rusovce, the Small Carpathian Wine Route, Senec, Piestany Spa, Trnava and Kosice (in eastern Slovakia). There are also useful reference sections on language (pronunciation and words and phrases) and sources of further information. Bratislava's small size is satisfying: compact and visitor-friendly, it offers many superbly curated museums rivalling those in Budapest and Vienna plus an opera house and the Slovak National Gallery (reopened in 2022 following a lengthy refurbishment). With a range of airlines flying into the city and Kosice, plus the rail link to Vienna being upgraded, Bratislava is the perfect destination for a weekend break, a romantic city break, a family holiday or as a base for discovering the rest of Slovakia. With Bradt's Bratislava you'll have everything you need for a successful trip.

Brand new from Bradt is Vietnam, a travel guidebook celebrating this fascinating southeast Asian country, which combines 2,000 miles of coastline - complete with idyllic islands, golden beaches and fishing villages - with tropical rainforests, vibrant cities, stunning inland waterways, thousand-year-old temples, terraced paddy fields, herb-infused street food and a richly varied history. Little wonder that the country is increasingly on the wish list of discerning, independent travellers.Here you can cruise among the karst islands of Halong Bay, explore the forested mountains of the Central Highlands, go underground into the caves of Phong Nha or visit the tribal villages of Kon Tum. Alternatively, why not experience the French-style boulevards of Hanoi, the cobblestone streets of Hoi An or neighbourhood floating markets? Written by a long-term resident, Bradt''s Vietnam not only covers the key tourist sites but casts a wider net to encompass lesser-explored alternatives and get under the skin of the country. Covering all three regions in Vietnam - north, central and south - this guidebook has responsible travel at its heart. Within the broad range of options suggested for sleeping and eating, what to do and where to go, particular attention is paid towards sustainability - identifying environmentally sensitive accommodation options, experiences that contribute to the local economy, and retail outlets that support traditions and certain communities. In Bradt''s Vietnam, you can find: advice on selecting the optimum beach destination for each season; a rich exploration of the vibrant urban café culture (including where to savour speciality coffee drinks in each city); dedicated street-food sections for all major towns and cities; tips on how to enjoy unmissable sites while avoiding any crowds; suggestions for getting the best out of motorbiking around the country; and insider knowledge about nightlife and cultural sights in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minch City, from speakeasy bars hidden behind bookshelves to boutique art spaces. Whether you want a taste of everything Vietnam offers, or prefer a deep dive into singular opportunities for heritage tourism, trekking, wildlife watching or caving, having Bradt''s Vietnam to hand is like travelling with a knowledgeable local friend.

This new, thoroughly revised third edition of Bradt''s Ladakh, Jammu and the Kashmir Valley remains the only standalone English-language guide available to this stunning region of mountain wilderness and lush valleys. Although Ladakh is becoming an ever more popular destination, Zanskar, the Kashmir Valley and Jammu are still off the beaten path, attracting only the more adventurous foreign tourist, so their treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders awaits your discovery. Ladakh, Zanskar and the Kashmir Valley have long astounded intrepid visitors with their epic Himalayan beauty. Thousands of years of history sit side by side with vibrant modern communities; spectacular natural landscapes ripe for exploration are dotted with all manner of architectural curiosities. This guidebook is the ideal companion to these contrasting and spellbinding regions, where mountains, pilgrimage destinations, cultural sites and exciting wildlife - notably the chance of seeing the formerly near-mythical snow leopard - vie for your attention. Here you can gasp at the views from the roof of the world at the breathless Khardung La mountain pass, stroll through Eden-like Shalimar Gardens (where the early-morning mist rises eerily off the lawns and channels), trek remote mountain trails through Ladakh and Zanskar (with this edition featuring several new suggested routes), admire the monkeys that have colonised the 19th-century palace of Mubarak Mandi, take a shikara ride across the lotus-strewn lakes of Srinagar, marvel at the Buddhas of Kargil (cut from rock in the 7th and 8th centuries), relax on a houseboat at Srinagar or join the Buddhist monks at Thiksey Monastery for early-morning prayers by candlelight. And if that is not enough, you can white-water raft on the Indus, travel by jeep along nerve-wracking mountain roads, follow millions of Hindu faithful to the Amarnath Cave and enjoy superb powder skiing in amid true wilderness. Whatever your interests, and wherever they lead you in this fascinating and rewarding region, let Bradt''s Ladakh, Jammu and the Kashmir Valley illuminate your way.

Palestine Unwrapped is an unprecedented collection of real-life stories celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Holy Land through its history, religions, politics and everyday life. Written by an outsider who lived for three years in East Jerusalem and travelled extensively across the region, these stories and lives lay bare the context and circumstances that have led to the war in Gaza and the continued oppression of the Palestinian people. In 2019, when Kirsty Le Grice arrived in Sheikh Jarrah with two young children, she was catapulted into a complex world that was both wonderful and tragic. Living as part of the international community, she travelled throughout Israel and the Palestinian West Bank to reach places that others can''t or don''t see. The stories she heard from the people who lived there and the places she visited helped her to try and make sense of the true character of Jerusalem and Palestine. Through Le Grice''s narrative, explore the Old City of Jerusalem, including famous sites like the Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall. Wander through West Bank towns and cities, including Bethlehem (where artist Banksy owns a hotel ''with the world''s worst views'': the Separation Wall), Hebron and Jenin. Experience daily life in off-the-beaten-track villages. Pick olives from ancient trees to appreciate Palestinians'' deep-rooted connection to the land, which is under threat from Israeli settler violence. Savour the beauty of hiking in Palestine, including Wadi Qelt and around Jericho. Visit locations across Israel that formed historic Palestine, including Jaffa, Haifa, Akko, Nazareth and Lifta. Palestine Unwrapped is about people as well as place. Peeling back the secrets of the Holy Land, layer by layer, Le Grice gives a human face to Palestine while exposing harsh realities of the Israeli occupation on day-to-day existence. Meet Hassan, who camped out to defend his land. Let Mustafa, an entrepreneurial refugee, guide you around Bethlehem. Go tobacco-picking with Mohamad in Zabubah. Eat maqloubeh in Ali''s kitchen in Abu Dis. And take a tour around the world''s most Ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood with someone who left it. Compelling, authentic and wide-ranging, Palestine Unwrapped is a portrait of a unique region and the struggle to maintain tradition and day-to-day normality on the cusp of intense conflict.

This new, fully updated fourth edition of Bradt''s Kosovo remains the only full-length, English-language guidebook to this Balkan land rich in cultural heritage and contemporary arts, and oozing generous hospitality and stunning scenery. This new edition offers contacts and information not easily accessible online, insider knowledge of one of Europe''s last unspoiled destinations, and comprehensive detail on attractions.Ringed by high mountains and overcoming a turbulent past, increasingly serviced by low-cost flights and benefitting from investment in travel infrastructure, Kosovo is enjoying a tourism renaissance. What was once a hub for adventurous backpackers and international organisations, Europe''s youngest country has become a leading outdoors destination in its own right. On mega-hiking trails like the Via Dinarica and the Peaks of the Balkans, you can hike up saw-toothed mountains, with 20 peaks exceeding 8,200ft. This edition features new via ferratas - climbing routes - plus thrilling new opportunities for off-piste skiing, zip lining, and paragliding. Pristina''s ever-changing café and restaurant scene remains a must, while fresh for this edition are new tourist attractions, such as Reporting House. Enthusiasts of Brutalist architecture have plenty to admire, notably Pristina''s National Library, while recently restored archaeological sites, such as Ulpiana and Novo Brdo, offer a haven for history buffs. Gjakova has complemented its flourishing café and shopping scene with new nature-tourism offerings. Kosovo has become a leading venue for international DJs, while Grammy-winning popstar Dua Lipa''s Sunny Hill Festival has put the country on the map, doing for music what Dokufest (Kosovo''s documentary and short-film festival) did for film.Most Kosovars love Americans, with Stars and Stripes flags displayed prominently countrywide, while Pristina marks recent historic connections with roads and a statue dedicated to Bill Clinton and George Bush. Whether you enjoy a traditional meal in a well-preserved kulla (stone tower-house), relax by sampling vineyard raki, or rejuvenate through the dynamic vibe of a country where half the population is under 25, Kosovo will surprise and excite. This fourth edition of Bradt''s Kosovo contains all the up-to-date information critical to a smooth visit, making it an indispensable travelling companion.

Antarctica is home to the world''s largest concentration of wildlife in the coldest, windiest and driest place on earth. Cruise the Southern Ocean for a wandering albatross, land on continental beaches to sit with thousands of penguins, keep a sharp eye open for humpback whales against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains soaring upwards from the sea, marvel at orcas harrying Weddell seals off ice floes, or gawp at a leopard seal as it grabs and flays a penguin. Visiting Antarctica means being in your very own natural-history documentary. Conditions may be extreme, but wildlife thrives in superb scenery. Bradt''s Antarctica: a guide to the wildlife brings to life the history of exploration (and exploitation) in this vast polar desert, where two-thirds of the world''s fresh water is locked up as ice on a continent twice the size of Australia. This readable introduction to mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates and plants is ideal for those ''going south'' to the world''s highest continent, where more than half the land exceeds 2,000 m above sea level. Celebrating the amazing species of this spectacular environment, the guide features chapters on the region''s famous whales and penguins alongside entries on lesser-known species like skuas and sheathbills. Each species account blends extensive insights into natural history with identification tips and stunning artwork. Although focusing on wildlife on the Antarctic Peninsula, an appendix on South Georgia''s wildlife briefs those whose itinerary extends to that island.Updated throughout to address the needs of a flourishing but environmentally conscious tourism industry, this eighth edition takes account of evolving changes in population dynamics of Antarctic creatures, and reflects profound changes ice-shelf extent, which have made it easier for expedition vessels to contemplate visiting emperor penguin colonies. Written by renowned expedition leader and former natural-history broadcaster Tony Soper and illustrated with specially commissioned paintings by Dafila Scott (granddaughter of ''Scott of the Antarctic'', no less), Bradt''s Antarctica: a guide to the wildlife is an informative, entertaining guidebook that will whet your appetite for this trip of a lifetime - and will always be within arm''s reach when you get there.

Written by Central Asian expert and experienced travel writer Sophie Ibbotson, who is Uzbekistan''s Tourism Ambassador to the UK, this new, fully updated fourth edition of Bradt''s Uzbekistan remains the definitive practical travel guide to an increasingly liberal destination - Central Asia''s most populous country and the heart of the Silk Road - offering more detail for independent travellers than any other guidebook, sharing first-hand descriptions of everything from UNESCO World Heritage sites and the world''s best collection of Soviet avant-garde art, to riding across deserts by camel and cooking plov (lamb pilaf).A perfect spring or autumn destination, Uzbekistan is unexpectedly packed with diverse experiences, from the Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Khiva to glorious Islamic architecture. Explore the Kyzylkum Desert by camel, ski amid the western Tian Shan mountains, overnight by the Aral Sea to search for the bizarre saiga antelope, visit 50 ancient Khorezm fortresses in Karakalpakstan, or gawp at Registan''s unmissable sound and light show. Stroll through Bukhara''s old town then take tea at chaikhana teahouse or shop in the Chorsu bazaar, trade''s beating heart in Tashkent. Or marvel at medieval tiled tombs in Shah-I Zinda and the magnificent 19th-century palace of Kokand ruler Khudayar Khan.It has never been easier to explore this fascinating country. Over the past decade,Uzbekistan''s new reformist government has been strengthening its tourism offer, including improving infrastructure and reducing bureaucracy, culminating in it hosting a World Tourist Organisation conference in 2023 and initiating a new $300 million tourism strategy for 2030. Complemented by the author''s 2023 Bradt guide to Karakalpakstan, this new edition reflects post-COVID 19 investments in tourism infrastructure, and provides more detailed economic and political insights. Entirely new elements include Amirsoy resort, Zarafshan nature reserve, Lower Amudarya Biosphere Reserve and Shirin ecovillage, while there is expanded coverage of Tashkent hotels, museums and shopping; Navoi tour operators; and new hotels in Khiva.Whether you''re interested in culture, trekking, historical sites, archaeology and architecture, seeing endless deserts or majestic mountainscapes, or fascinated by the Golden Road to Samarkand and Silk Road cities, Bradt''s Uzbekistan is your ideal travel companion.

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, Democratic Republic of the Congo is the only dedicated, up-to-date, English-language guidebook to this thrilling African destination. Almost twice the size of the European Union, the continent''s second-largest country offers plenty for adventurous travellers to explore. The mighty River Congo rises in the south before winding along the Equator for nearly 5,000 km to reach the Atlantic Ocean. On either side, twenty different ecosystems give rise to a multitude of landscapes, from tropical rainforests (which serve as the world''s second-largest carbon sink) to volcanic mountains, and great lakes to savanna plateaus. DRC''s National Parks and nature reserves cover around 12% of the country and are well worth the effort to get to, as they host some of the world''s most exciting wildlife-watching opportunities - the main reason why many people visit DRC. As well as harbouring more bird species than other African countries, nowhere else in the world provides the chance to see the giraffe-like okapi (a bizarre giraffe-like creature) and bonobo (formerly known as pygmy chimpanzee). Moreover, sites for both mountain and eastern lowland gorillas lie firmly on the tourist trail at the world-famous locations of Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega national parks. Even if wildlife does not float your boat, there is much to savour. The capital, Kinshasa, is one of Africa''s great cities. This is the home of musique congolaise, enjoyed all over Africa and beyond - and of the sapeurs (DRC''s renowned snappy dressers). Historic Kisangani is the furthest navigable point on the River Congo; Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart stayed here when filming The African Queen. The city of Lubumbashi offers wide boulevards and art-deco buildings, plus good hotels and restaurants in which to relax. Once rested, if the area is at peace, why not hike to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano and spend the night beside the world''s largest lava lake? With its wide-ranging coverage offering advice on everything from tour operators to accommodation, and security to visiting national parks, Bradt''s Democratic Republic of the Congo is your essential travel companion.

Aged 22, Patrick Nash left his parents'' home in south London with a small rucksack, two UK passports and L250 in cash. His plan was to visit a friend in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Ten months later he returned, having walked and hitch-hiked on an extraordinary and often dangerous trip from Egypt south to Kenya, then through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria - and back north across the Sahara Desert to reach Britain.Along the way Nash experienced sandstorms in north Africa; witnessed famine, drought and a refugee crisis in southern Sudan; hitched with young Ugandan soldiers who had lost a military coup; was arrested and imprisoned in Niger; and was shot at by border guards when entering the Central African Republic in a dugout canoe. Along the way he slept on top of a volcano; stayed in villages; trekked through rainforests; journeyed a thousand miles simply to get a visa; and endured severe illness. But, above all, Nash encountered the interest, friendship and kindness of strangers.At the time, few people walked and hitch-hiked overland through these African countries, but Nash''s travels may actually have coincided with one of the few times during the last century when such an epic journey was even consistent with official travel advice. It is certainly a journey that he would caution his children against doing today.Nash''s journey set him up an interesting and successful career as a social entrepreneur, which was the subject of his first book, Creating Social Enterprise. As Nash gained confidence, he discovered how to get on with anyone, learned how to talk his way out of tricky situations and to trust his intuition. Most importantly of all, however, Nash discovered a strong set of social and environmental values that have infused everything he has done since.Comprising tales of Nash''s journey across Africa, Shots Across the Water introduces us to the people he met, shares what he learned along the way, and offers insights about the countries he travelled through. This book will enchant anyone who has ever backpacked - or ever wanted to.

This expanded and extensively updated second edition of Bradt''s Pantanal Wildlife remains the most user-friendly guidebook for ecotourists visiting South America''s great wetland - according to Time magazine, ''one of the world''s greatest places''. Extending across Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, in some ways the Pantanal is the continent''s equivalent of Africa''s Serengeti: a vast territory brimming with abundant, exciting and photogenic wildlife. The planet''s biggest wetland - 10 times larger than Florida''s Everglades, 15 times that of Botswana''s Okavango Delta - offers superlative wildlife-watching to enthrall novice and expert alike. In no other New World location can visitors see at point-blank range such a high number and variety of birds (670+ species), mammals (110+ species) and reptiles (50+ species). Alongside breathtaking gatherings of wildlife - with fur, feather and scale crammed into desiccating water bodies during the dry season - record-breakers of the natural world can be easy to spot here. Visitors have excellent opportunities to watch the New World''sAmericas'' mightiest cat (nowhere is better to see jaguar), the world''s largest parrot (hyacinth macaw), largest rodent (the pig-sized capybara), the planet''s greatest gathering of crocodilians (yacaré caiman) and South America''s heaviest land mammal (lowland tapir). Both a wildlife guide and a travel guidebook, Pantanal Wildlife is designed for visitors wishing to recognise the animals they see, to understand more about them and to learn where to look for them - but are too conscious of theirdo not have the baggage allowance to bring a shelf-full of reference material. It comprises authoritative yet accessible text by a South American wildlife expert, bringing remarkable animals to life through highly readable snippets on behaviour and biology, derived from the latest science. Bradt''s Pantanal Wildlife remains the only portable, hard-copy guidebook to focus entirely on the South America''s finest best wildlife-watching experience in South America, the only book to feature all major faunal groups - and the only guide to cover the entire Pantanal, combining up-to-date visitor advice on where to stay, tips on exactly where to look for the most exciting wildlife and insights into getting around in each of the three countries it encompasses. Bradt''s Pantanal Wildlife is the indispensable travel companion - truly a visitor''s guide - to this exhilarating region.

This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt''s Malta remains the most detailed guide to the country. Written by the author, broadsheet ''destination expert'' and tour leader who wrote the original guide and has updated every edition since, Bradt''s Malta has built a reputation as the go-to resource for getting beneath the surface of this island nation. With this guidebook in hand, discover cultural and other delights that lie beyond the island''s famed beaches. The deeper you delve, the more you will uncover of the varied riches of Malta and the adjacent islands of Gozo and Comino. Malta has the highest density of historic sights of any country, the result of a unique cultural and built heritage that fuses Neolithic, Roman, medieval, Arab, Punic, French and British influences. On one day, you might visit what is arguably the world''s oldest accessible stone architecture - UNESCO-listed temples that are more ancient even than Egypt''s great pyramids and Britain''s Stonehenge. On other days, choose between unusual Roman catacombs, medieval citadels and the baroque legacy of the Knights of St John, or the secret headquarters and underground shelters of World War II (used by General Eisenhower to command the invasion of Sicily) - or perhaps come right up to date in the vibrant capital of Valletta by admiring the new parliament building, designed by Renzo Plano, architect of London''s Shard. For something different, gawp at Caravaggio''s largest (and only signed) painting, visit one of Malta''s 300-odd village churches, enjoy world-class diving on Gozo, or make merry in colourful parish festas, where parades and fireworks are complemented by music and food. Talking of cuisine, why not treat yourself to one of Malta''s six Michelin-starred restaurants, which represent the zenith of the island''s recent surge in gastronomical delights? And if you need some downtime, relax on beaches that enjoy 300 days of sun each year and take a dip in clear blue seas that are delightfully warm from June to November. Whether you class yourself as a culture vulture, history buff, foodie, church lover or diver, this new, fifth edition of Bradt''s Malta has you covered.

Taking the Risk is Hilary Bradt''s engaging, insightful, amusing and sometimes alarming memoir about serendipitous adventures in travel and publishing. A travel industry trailblazer who co-founded Bradt Guides, Hilary looks back on 50 years of escapades, surprises, mishaps, disasters. and success. From her first solo trip aged three (on a British beach), she revisits six decades of hitch-hiking, feeding the travel habit by working abroad, and starting a successful travel-publishing company where knowing nothing proved a surprising asset. Barely into her twenties, Hilary Bradt thumbed lifts around the Middle East for three months before spending four years working and travelling in the US. Between 1973 and 1976 Hilary explored, and worked in, South America and Africa with her then husband George, often journeying through literally uncharted territory in their quest for new hiking routes. The discovery of an ancient trail to Machu Picchu unexpectedly inspired their first guidebook. From 1977 the pair wrote several backpacking guides, and set up Bradt Guides. This was just as well, because Hilary''s career in occupational therapy ended when potential employers noticed that time taken off for travel exceeded periods of employment. During the 1980s, Bradt Guides grew and became successful - but that didn''t stop Hilary travelling, including as a tour leader. Join Hilary as she relives the rigours of travel before the days of the internet or mobile phones, including smuggling her husband across an international border and frequently getting arrested despite efforts to be responsible tourists. Learn how Hilary''s lack of experience made the early days of publishing quite unlike those of any other successful publisher. Laugh (or cry) at Hilary''s ability to court media disasters while seeking the limelight, including waving around condoms on BBC TV. Taking the Risk comprises the collected stories of an inveterate, intrepid traveller whose joyous exploration of the world has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people - anyone who has ever owned a Bradt Guide. A unique book from a unique individual, it will delight anyone who has ever travelled or ever wondered what goes into making the books we read.

This new, thoroughly updated and significantly expanded third edition of Bradt''s Slovenia offers expert travel advice about this engaging European country. Slovenia has emerged as a serious year-round tourist destination that combines captivating city breaks in the capital Ljubljana with stellar outdoor activities in varied, wildlife-rich landscapes.Widely renowned as a world leader in green tourism and sustainable development, Slo-venia showcases many of Europe''s finest elements in an area roughly the size of Wales. Here you can walk amid Alpine mountains or lush valleys, visit glacial lakes and charming Adriatic coastal towns, or admire a rich tapestry of architectural styles while delving into the country''s captivating culture, diverse history or delicious cuisine.Ljubljana is a vibrant capital, so Bradt''s Slovenia provides intimate detail on where to stay and eat, what to see and do, and how to get around. But this guide will also inspire and inform wider explorations in this impressively varied and conveniently compact country. Here you can ski in the Alps in the morning, eat a late lunch with world-class chefs in the hilly hinterland then savour an Adriatic sunset with a glass of locally produce fine wine. In a country where half the land is protected, you can hike in the Juliana mountains, go wild swimming in Lake Bled (one of Europe''s finest glacial lakes), raft rivers in the Soca Valley, venture underground into UNESCO-listed caves such as Postojna and Skocjan, or relax in thermal spas. Foodies will revel in a rich culinary larder blending influences from neighbouring Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Italy, while remaining distinctively Slovenian. Vinophiles will enjoy touring local vineyards, discovering world-class wines only available locally. Alongside an extensive update that sheds new light on old favourites, this new, longer edition contains more maps, explores more diverse locations, identifies the best places to eat and stay, and offers greater focus on cycling and family travel, spas and health re-sorts, the growing foodie culture, ecotourism and wildlife watching. The upshot is that Bradt''s Slovenia serves as the perfect travelling companion to this compelling European destination.