Day 8--Piazza Armerina, Sicily--Valley of the Temples

 Around 8:30 we departed our hotel.  I have to say we have a great group.  Everyone is always on time.  This day we travel overland to Piazza Armerina.  It was a four hour drive but we stopped halfway to visit the Valley of the Temples.  

We were met by a wonderful local guide who has been doing tours since the 70's.

These ruins date back to 510 BC.  Only Rome and Athens were larger during that time.

These sites were on a hilltop overlooking the sea.

 

I had no idea this existed in Sicily.

After this great adventure and discovery we had a 15 minute drive to a private home for lunch.  Unfortunately the bus was stopped by the polizia.  We sat quietly while the police talked with Giuseppe and Nunzia.  After a short stop we were allowed to proceed down the road but were told not to return as they recently changed the weight requirements on the road.

Our itinerary said we would have lunch at a private house in Agrigento.  

Lunch was great and the couple were very friendly.

We were invited downstairs to see something.  It was an antique radio.

And then he opened another door to reveal this.

Bill was impressed with the hand carvings, but the photos don't show the detail.

We were told it takes about a year for him to make one.

One single traveler in our group is demonstrating how well balanced the cart is.

Here's the owner, sorry I forgot his name, showing us the spokes are made.

Bill really enjoyed trying to make a part of the cart.

Nunzia explained all the details.

Here's the family and our group of eight.  I love the fact that when reading the itinerary the surprise things we see are really a surprize.  I always say there is so much more when you travel with this company.

By the time we left, some were ready for a nap on the bus.  The countryside started changing and this area was where the Americans landed during World War II.

Here's a photo of a bunker I took from the bus.

We also drove pass this castle.

I don't think I've mentioned about our time spent on the bus.  Nunzia talks about the Sicilian culture.  She gave us language lessons telling us the difference between Italian and Sicilian.  We had a lesson on how to order coffee and the different types they have.  The best was a lesson on Sicilian gestures.

Nunzia suggested we just pack an overnight bag because we were only staying overnight at this hotel.  I could write a whole blog on Vecchia Masseria.  Our "room" had two bedrooms, a kitchen and dining area.  It was gorgeous and quaint.

Nunzia taught us how to play Sicilian cards before dinner.  She told us to pace ourselves for dinner.  Gail said there are four forks, if that tells you how much we are getting for dinner.  

We were leaving the next morning at 8:30 so that we could arrive at Villa Romana del Casale when they opened the next morning at 9 am.

Turtle Safely..........