In the morning we depart for Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being more than 2400 year old, the town it is one of the most attractive towns in Albania. Established in the 3rd century B.C by an Illyrian tribe of central Albania with a protective castle, it was known as the fortified city of Antipatrea. In 1417 the town was occupied by the Ottoman who built quite a few mosques in the area below the town’s old castle. Berat is situated at the foot of Tomorri Mountain and on the shores of Osum River. Built in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes visible.

We will visit the Castle, St Marys Church turned Onufri Museum which houses an amazingly diverse collection of Icons and two other churches not open to the public. Onufri whose name has been given to this Icon museum was an Albanian master painter of the 16th century who painted many church icons in Albania and Greece and is famous for its red colour named after him. Berat is also famous, as two of the oldest bibles “New Testaments” one from 6th century and one from 9th century AD have been found here.

After visits and optional lunch at the castle with homemade specialities we make our way down to the old district of Mangalem where we will visit the Kings Mosque and Helveti Tekke next to each other. Religious monuments of different faiths stand together demonstrating the religious tolerance of Albanians’.

On the way back we will visit Belsh Town that is located at the shore of a small natural lake. The town is situated in the Dumrea plain which has about 85 different sized lakes that are all natural. The road has a very nice landscape which makes it another highlight in this tour.