Albania and Kosovo, 3rd Edition (Blue Guides) [Paperback]

James Pettifer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

An unrivaled, comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the region, including invaluable advice about security and traveling conditions, where to stay and eat, communications and health, and local values and customs.

35 illustrations, color maps, 20 black-and-white maps.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Structured as a series of road trips, this meticulous guide opens Albania's "ancient sites, historic cities, and the magnificence of its coastal and mountain scenery" to visitors while discussing archaeological sites and monuments from a wide range of eras.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

When I needed some cultural background on Albania, the Blue Guide was the only [guide] worth the time and effort. -- P.J. O'Rourke, National Geographic Traveler, February 2000 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Blue Guide; 3rd edition (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393322033
• ISBN-13: 978-0393322033
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,049,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Blue Bible for Albania", March 17, 2006

By 

S. Schneider (Washington, DC/Tirana, Albania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Albania and Kosovo, 3rd Edition (Blue Guides) (Paperback)

I lived and worked for 18 months in Tirana and traveled throughout the country from Kukes to Korca to Saranda to Shengjin and I always, always carried my Blue Guide. It was indispensable for my personal exploration of the country and allowed me to act as "tour guide" for visitors. I used the Albania-only edition until this edition came out and immediately upgraded. Any book can tell you how to get to a country or which hotels are available, but they quickly become obsolete. By focusing more on the history, culture, and environment, Pettifer avoids that trap. Albania changes every day and any attempt to recommend which hotel is good, which is safe, which is cheapest will be oudated before the ink is dry. This book tells you more about why things are the way they are. It also covers more areas off the beaten path. Yes, I own the Bradt guide too, but prefer the more detailed, denser content of the Blue Guide.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best available guide for Albania, May 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Guide Albania (Blue Guides) (Paperback)

The Blue Guide is the best guide for Albania. This guide has informations about everything (history, culture, language, places to have seen, hotels, restaurants) and mentions everything that can be visited. Unfortunately, the maps are really bad. The situation in Albania changes very quickely - the traveller has to know this. But all the other guides are older and have more wrong informations. James Pettifer knows Albania very well and visited all the country.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have!, June 29, 2002

By 

Greg Allup (Torrance, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Albania and Kosovo, 3rd Edition (Blue Guides) (Paperback)

I am a devoted academic researcher on Albanian culture and this is the best guide book out on the market that offers wonderful information on travel into Albania and Kosovo. This guide book not only has useful information on travel conditions and the best way to explore the area, but it also has some wonderful information regarding the culture and history of the Albanian nation. This book is a must have for anyone that is interested in travelling to this culturally complex region in the Balkans. This book is the first thing that I am taking with me when I set off to travel to Shqiperia and Shqiperia e Madhe (Albania and Greater Albania). It is a shame that Lonely Planet has not produced a guide book into this part of the world. It would be fantastic if they did. For the meantime this Blues Guide has everything you need to make your trip into the region a successful and productive one.