It has been awhile but, I still fondly remember that drive from Etna to the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento. We passed by olive gardens, and ever changing landscape along the way. After we arrived in Agrigento we checked into Hotel Villa Athena, right next door to the Temple of the Gods. During our travels through Sicily we stayed mostly at B&B's. However, when we became aware of the opportunity to stay next to the Temple of the Gods ruins, we decided to splurge. Another pleasant surprise, we found out after we checked-in was, we had a room overlooking the ruins. I so love remembering those earlier days at Valley of the Temples, Sicily.
Look! The Valley of the Temples is Next Door
Dining at La Terrazza Degli Dei was indeed, like dining with "the gods".
Later for dinner we dined in the Villa Athen's Granaio di Ibla restaurant.
Our appetizer choice was perfect.
For main dishes we selected the following:
We selected a chocolate dessert.
We loved both dining experiences. Whether it was the patio restaurant, La Terrazza Degli Dei (The Terrace Gods) with views of Temples Concordia and Juno, or Hotel Villa Athena's other restaurant, Granaio di Ibla, where you can enjoy fine dining.
Our visit to the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), Agrigento was indeed magical. The beauty and magic of this archaeological site just might absolutely spoil you big time.
We left early in the morning, after a delightful stay in Agrigento at Hotel Villa Athena, an ideal location adjoining The Valley of the Temples. Yes, it was hard to leave such a special place. After a three day stay, we boarded our rented car and traveled across Sicily to Cefalú. There we would spend the weekend before boarding a flight back to France. I so love remembering those earlier days in Sicily. Our November 2014 two week exploration of (Palermo-Ortigia, Siracusa-Zafferana, Etnea-Agrigento-Cefalú-Palermo) was amazing. You can check out my travels in Sicily and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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| Time for Wine, Hotel Villa Athena © Spaswinefood |
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
After we checked into our room we enjoyed a glass of wine while viewing the amazing landscape near the hotel. The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located on ridge just outside the city of Agrigento. Once the site of the Greek city Akargas it includes the remains of seven temples. It is one of the best examples of Greater Greek art and architecture.
After we checked into our room we enjoyed a glass of wine while viewing the amazing landscape near the hotel. The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located on ridge just outside the city of Agrigento. Once the site of the Greek city Akargas it includes the remains of seven temples. It is one of the best examples of Greater Greek art and architecture.
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| The Valley of the Temples © Spaswinefood |
Right from the moment we entered the gates at Villa Athena it was indeed special. Moreover, when we arrived we were most delighted to discover that our room overlooked the ruins. It is not everyday that you get to sleep with a view of Greek ruins from your bedroom window.
Dining near the Temples
Lunch that day was special. We dined at the patio restaurant, La Terrazza Degli Dei (The Terrace Gods) with views of Temples Concordia and Juno. There amid the almond and olive trees, with such a stunning view our lunch began with a dry rosé wine. We ordered a caprese salad to share. We followed this by vegetable soup and eggplant pasta. Dining on the patio of La Terrazza Degli Dei overlooking the Valley of the Temples was indeed majestic.
We ordered a caprese salad to share.
We followed this by a vegetable soup and an eggplant pasta.
Dining on the patio overlooking the Valley of the Temples was indeed majestic.
After dining on the patio of La Terrazza Degli Dei overlooking the Valley of the Temples, it was not a difficult decision to return again, the next day, for lunch. Besides their Caprese Salad was hard to pass up.
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| Entrance to Villa Athena © Spaswinefood |
Lunch that day was special. We dined at the patio restaurant, La Terrazza Degli Dei (The Terrace Gods) with views of Temples Concordia and Juno. There amid the almond and olive trees, with such a stunning view our lunch began with a dry rosé wine. We ordered a caprese salad to share. We followed this by vegetable soup and eggplant pasta. Dining on the patio of La Terrazza Degli Dei overlooking the Valley of the Temples was indeed majestic.
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| View of Temple Concordia, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Caprese Salad, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetable Soup, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetable Soup with Parmesan, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Eggplant Pasta, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Eggplant Pasta with Parmesan, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| La Terrazza Degli Dei, Villa Athena © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining at La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Salad, La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| La Terrazza Degli Dei © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining at Granaio di Ibla, Villa Athena © Spaswinefood |
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| Special Touches, Granaio di Ibla © Spaswinefood |
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| Appetizer, Granaio di Ibla © Spaswinefood |
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| Appetizer Time, Granaio di Ibla © Spaswinefood |
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| Pasta, Granaio di Ibla © Spaswinefood |
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| Rack of Lamb, Granaio di Ibla © Spaswinefood |
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| Dessert, Granaio di Ibla © Spaswinefood |
Majestic Views from Villa Athena
There are no words to describe what it feels like to stay next door to the Valley of the Temples. The views alone are stunning.
To be able to view the temples from our bedroom window was indeed special. Whether it was at night, or in the early morning these were magical moments.
When we walked through The Valley of the Temples there were also awesome views of Villa Athena and the city of Agrigento.
From the temple grounds you can also see vineyards nearby.
There are no words to describe what it feels like to stay next door to the Valley of the Temples. The views alone are stunning.
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| Temple Concordia, Valley of the Temples © Spaswinefood |
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| Temple Concordia at Night, Valley of the Temples © Spaswinefood |
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| Temple Concordia at Night © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Athena © Spaswinefood |
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| Juno Temple in the Early Morning © Spaswinefood |
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| Concordia in the Early Morning © Spaswinefood |
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| View of Agrigento & Villa Athena, Valley of the Temples © Spaswinefood Throughout the temple area there are so many beautiful olive trees.
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| Vineyards, The Valley of the Temples © Spaswinefood |
It is impossible to imagine a more perfect setting than staying next door to The Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) in Agrigento. UNESCO World Heritage site, The Valley of the Temples, is located on ridge just outside the city of Agrigento. Once the site of the Greek city Akargas it includes the remains of seven temples. The beauty and magic of this archaeological site just might absolutely spoil you big time. Yes, Hotel Villa Athena is an ideal location to stay while visiting the Valley of the Temples.
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| Agrigento, Sicily © Spaswinefood |
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| Olive Tree, Valle dei Templi © Spaswinefood |
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| View of Agrigento & Villa Athena, Valley of the Temples © Spaswinefood |
Sharon
Remembering The Valley of the Temples
Agrigento, Sicily
Agrigento, Sicily
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