I know there is a theme here. If there is a UNESCO site in close proximity I want to visit it and Berat, designated as such in 2008, was a town on route back up north and a half way house to the airport back in Tirana.

Berat UNESCO is made up of 3 areas : Kalaja, Mangalemi and Gorica. Kalaja is the part of the town contained inside the citadel at the top of the hill and Magalemi and Gorica sit on opposing banks of the River Osumi directly below the citadel and dominated by picture perfect white washed Ottoman style houses built between 15th and 19th century when the Empire was at its strongest.

It is amazing to see such great examples of the architecture, intact and in such concentration. Reminders of places back in Turkey : Istanbul, of course, but also Edirne, Bursa and Safronbolu, but sadly the cities have now grown so big that the historical architecture has often been dwarfed by newness. What is so wonderful here is that you are walking the back streets and taken back in time, there are no touristy shops to distract and most of the eateries and accommodation are tucked behind closed doors.

The citadel too has an understated feel. You can even drive inside it, park your car on a verge ( no car parking fees) and just stroll around battlements and back alleyways as if you are part of the old time and place. And as so many places in Albania the backdrop to the daily scene is stunning, still, quiet mountain scenery. More fabulousness.