Kosovo is likely to become an independent state in 2007, making this Bradt guide a must-buy for visitors from the countrys diaspora (which is believed to number over a million), for the many NGOs living out there and, as always, for those keen to explore off the beaten track. Ringed by high mountains crossed by a series of conquerors over the centuries, the country boasts Ottoman mosques, Serbian Orthodox churches, monasteries, vineyards and extravagant KLA war memorials. The capital Pristina offers a surprising contrast with its growing number of vibrant restaurants, bars and shops, along with Kosovos top ski resort, Brezovica, which offers some of the best skiing in southeastern Europe.