Sicily - Vintage Impressions
The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
The Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is - contrary to its name - picturesquely situated on a hill below the town of Agrigento. The temples, each dedicated to its own deity, are among the most impressive archaeological sites on the island. Between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, numerous colonies were founded by Greek settlers which quickly gained power and influence. However, these colonies did not form a coherent area, but consisted of many densely populated cities and independent states, which often waged war against each other. In the 3rd century BC, these cities were conquered by the growing Roman Empire and soon lost their wealth and power
The Marsala Saltworks
The Saltworks of Marsala have been exploited since 800 BC (Phoenician period). The lagoon offers excellent conditions for extracting salt from the seawater because of its high temperatures, constant arid winds and the salty waters in a shallow see. The pumps needed to extract the salt were driven by windmills, which can still be seen today.
The salt produced in Marsala has been awarded the PGI label (Protected Geographical Indication), which means that it has a specific quality, reputation or other characteristic attributable to its geographical origin (see: Trippadviser.com – The History of Marsala)
The Saltworks of Marsala are also part of the Stagnone Nature Reserve, which is a lagoon with four islands and a rich biodiversity. The reserve is a popular destination for tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of the landscape, the history of the salt culture, and the sports activities such as kitesurfing
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is the most active volcano in Europe.
For the last years, eruptions have been very frequent, and it's always a fascinating spectacle if the mountain is spewing lava and ashes up the air. You can easily reach the volcano from your place at Villa Diana from were you start by a car to the valley station of the cable car. The peak of volcano offers you an outstanding landscape and breathtaking views over the island even to Calabria.