Meet the clients at port of Durres. Departure for trip to the main interesting objects of Berat. Depart from the pier for a two-hour drive southeast to Berat, an inland city known for its rare architectural character, dating from the 15th-century Ottoman period. As a result of its extraordinary preservation efforts, Berat is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive through the fortified city, one of the oldest in Albania, and past a number of medieval Orthodox churches. You’ll see several mosques in the lower town, including the 16th-century Leaded Mosque, named for its lead-covered dome.
Look up to see clusters of tiered houses with abundant windows clinging to the slopes. These light-filled residences caused Berat to become known as the City of A Thousand Windows.Even higher, a stone castle, built in the 13th century, presides over the town. As it was expanded over time, the fortress took on other architectural styles, including Roman-Byzantine and Ottoman. The views from here are simply spectacular.Don’t miss the religious icons at the Onufri Museum, housed in the castle.A lunch of traditional Albanian cuisine follows.
Time permitting, you can do some shopping. At the end of the tour, re-board the coach for the drive back to Durres.
