EXPATRIATES old and new can rejoice: the first edition of The Insider's Guide: to Sofia and Beyond has just been published.  For the tourist and Sofian alike, the new guide is much more than a guidebook of what to see and do: it is a reliable resource for understanding the city and country you're visiting on vacation or plan to settle in. What's more, it's easy-to-use, complete with foldout maps and detailed descriptions of the sights and splendours of Bulgaria that the authors have explored and enjoyed.

The guidebook was written by two women, Christine Milner and Paromita Sanatani, both married to Bulgarian men. They're also mothers, businesswomen, writers, travellers and true Bulgarian insiders who have lived in the country for more than 10 years. This guide to Sofia and beyond is a joint compilation of their experiences and knowledge of the country and the city, presented to the reader as a "sensitive insight" into what this wonderful place has to offer. Whether one has lived in Sofia for an extended period of time, is a new arrival, or a visiting tourist, The Insider's Guide is sure to provide new information, suggestions, and trivia that will allow the reader to feel far more comfortable in this often chaotic city and country. The numerous photographs are captivating and other delightful visuals include children's drawings.

In addition to a brief introduction to the country's landscape, climate, and natural parks, the authors provide UNESCO's World Heritage List of areas in Bulgaria that are environmentally and culturally valuable to humanity, as well as a guide to the various festivals that take place throughout the year.  Bulgaria has a very rich history, having been one of the trade routes linking the East and West. Although it's a rather long history of conquering and occupation, the Milner and Sanatani team has presented a very informative overview of the different groups that have occupied Bulgaria throughout the centuries, beginning with the Thracians. They cover Bulgaria's political history and include a very concise guide to politics today, an area that most foreigners find incredibly confusing.

A guidebook would not be complete if it failed to acknowledge the unique and varied culture of the country it's familiarizing its readers with, and the authors do this by covering everything from the people to the cuisine, the traditions to the religions. Well-presented and written with a definite "sensitive insight", Milner and Sanatani depict the Bulgarians as noble, good-hearted people.

Because it's presented as a guide to Sofia, the section on the history of Sofia, the sights, shopping, and leisure areas and activities is particularly thorough.  One can learn everything from how the city has grown and changed to who streets were named after, where the most interesting areas are for shopping, and where to spend a Sunday afternoon. One of the best sections is Walking Tours, which provides both a map and explanations of all the things one will pass on the way.  The different Tour Options allow the reader to pick and choose areas of interest and find their way among them. This is a section of the book that is most valuable for tourists who want to explore and learn about the city, for anyone living in Sofia who wants to know more about the place they call home and the sites they pass daily, and for expats living in Bulgaria who are suddenly, and oftentimes unexpectedly, assigned the role of tour guide.

Milner and Sanatani offer advice on trips outside Sofia that allow the reader to determine where they would be interested in visiting based on the sights and unique attractions, which they sketch rather than dictate, allowing the day tripper the freedom to explore and discover on their own.  Skiing and the Black Sea resorts are also areas that are covered in accurate and informative detail.

However, there is one major criticism of the guidebook: the authors fail to address Bulgaria's very serious problem with underworld crime.  In Sofia, in Black Sea resorts and in other cities, brutal and bloody mafia hits in public places seem to occur weekly. Every foreigner must be informed of this, so that they will know how to identify these mafia goon squads and consequently know how to avoid them and the danger they present to the public.  Some naive tourists may mistake the brand new mafia cars as signs of progress or approach them for directions. Drunk Americans or Brits should know that these men are heavily armed, and getting into a barroom brawl with them could be the last thing they ever do. Not devoting a section of the book to the mafia  is wrong, but the only glaring omission in an otherwise excellent tourist guidebook.

The book is to go on sale for 24 leva at a range of leading outlets.