I've got a new place to go. I recently received the new Rough Guide to Montenegro. Now, I know my geography, and am aware that Montenegro is one of the smallest countries in Europe. It is located between Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Albania. I know that they got their independence in 2006. But, sadly, that was the extent of my general knowledge about Montenegro.

The Rough Guide to Montenegro, by Norm Longley, is a real find. The author knows his stuff - the guidebook is extremely well-laid out, and is quite detailed on accommodations, restaurants, museums, things to do, outdoor activities, and culture. What strikes me about this book is that it is so much more than a guidebook - it also encompasses history, language, culture, mores, and nature. There are many photos (color and B&W) and a plethora of maps.

The Rough Guide to Montenegro is divided into 5 main sections - Colour, Basics, Guide, Contexts, and Language.

The Colour Section covers where to go, when to go, and things not to miss. This was a primer to Montenegro, and got me very excited to visit!

"Boasting one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in all of Europe, as well as some of the continent's wildest and most beautiful mountains, tiny Montenegro is likely to confound most visitors' expectations. Nearly 300km long, its stunning Adriatic coastline is liberally sprinkled with historic towns, lively beach resorts, secluded coves and comely white-stone fishing villages, all punctuated by strips of fine sand and pebble beaches. The remote, often inhospitable interior, meanwhile, displays an outstanding array of snow-dusted peaks, crystal clear lakes and rivers and deep forests and canyons.  The whole adds up to a diverse landscape quite extraordinary for such a small country."

See?

Also included in this section are average temperatures. But the highlight is a section with color photos, entitled 17 things not to miss. THIS will make you plan a trip to Montenegro!

The Basics section covers getting there, getting around, accommodation, food and drink, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, and travel essentials. Truly, this is a comprehensive guide to all of the above. There are short sections on disability travel, as well as traveling with kids. You will want to explore more from different sources, if you fall into either of these categories.

The Guide Section covers three distinct areas of Montenegro - the coast; Podgorica, Cetinje and around; and the Mountains. With highlights for each section, detailed and extensive maps, and fun photos, this section is an excellent travel planner. It also lists Montenegro's Top 10 Beaches, Top 5 Hikes, and a large section on the Great Outdoors. From birdwatching to fishing, hiking to skiing, from sea kayaking to whitewater rafting, Montenegro has it all for the outdoor enthusiast.

One of the most interesting sections is the Context Section, which explores history, flora & fauna, and books and literature. Montenegro has a rich cultural history, with lots of invaders and occupiers shaping their country. This history is fascinating (and you can see much visual history, as you travel around). I am now definitely more interested in learning about Montenegro's history. The ruins are something I'd love to explore.

The last section is critical, that of Language. The official language of Montenegro is Montenegrin, a Slavic language. This section provides a basic pronunciation guide, as well as a simple dictionary of basic terms you'll need to get around.

I now keep this book handy in the car, for when I am waiting at soccer practice, ballet, etc. It is an intriguing glimpse into a place I hope to visit soon.

Thank you, Rough Guides! This is an excellent resource.

The Rough Guide to Montenegro, 1st Edition
April 2009
by Norm Longley

Rough Guides are a general guidebook series designed for independent travelers on a range of budgets seeking  the best cultural and historical coverage but just as interested in finding-out-of-the-way beaches and clubs. The guides combine opinionated reviews with the most up-to-date information on accommodations, restaurants, sights, and activities. In addition to publishing travel guidebooks to hundreds of destinations around the world, Rough Guides also have a broad-ranging pop culture reference list that includes film, technology, music, science, literature titles that each combine erudition with accessibility.

For more information on Rough Guides, please see:
http://www.roughguides.com/