6th edition Published : 30th May 2019 Bradt?s North Macedonia remains the only
standalone English-language guidebook to this increasingly popular destination
available outside the country. Originally written by Thammy Evans, a political
analyst who lived there for five years, this new edition has been thoroughly
updated and restructured to make it even easier to use by Philip Briggs,
arguably the world?s most experienced guidebook writer. Coverage of national
parks has been increased and hiking information has been fully integrated to
make it more accessible to casual users. Introductions to many points of
interest have been expanded to give more of an overview of what the attractions
are and there are several new and redrawn maps. Of all the new countries formed
following the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991, North Macedonia was the only one
to attain independence without bloodshed. This is a small land that offers huge
variety to travellers, from the oldest lake in Europe to soaring forest-swathed
mountain ranges and from the millennia-old Neolithic rock observatory at Kokino
and Roman mosaics at Heraclea, to dozens of historic and actively-used mediaeval
monasteries and mosques. North Macedonia?s urban centrepiece and main port of
entry is the capital Skopje, now home to a wealth of Ottoman buildings, a lively
culinary scene, and several world-class museums, while the main tourist hub is
the pretty lakeshore town of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its
wealth of medieval churches and other architectural gems. A trio of national
parks provide refuge to brown bears, grey wolves, the rare Balkan lynx and a
wide variety of birds. And wherever you go, welcoming family-run tavernas and
lively pavement cafés serve authentic traditional cooking and locally produced
wine that ranks as probably the most affordable anywhere in the European
Balkans. Wherever you go and whatever your interest, this is a country that
offers countless rewards to independent-minded travellers and those who want to
get away from the crowds. And with Bradt?s North Macedonia, you?ll find
everything you need for a successful trip.