sicily

I was thinking about our trip to Sicily because of the nocino making.

Especially Agrigento, that was the best place.  

The Valley of the Temples (which isn't really a valley at all but a ridge) is there.  It became an UNESCO world heritage site because they are some of the best preserved Greek temples outside of Greece. 

Especially the Temple of Concord.

But before that, some enterprising Sicilian decided it would be a good idea to build a hotel about 100 yards away from the temple.  And he was right.  Villa Athena is the kind of place that would never be built anymore, and would probably be torn down if it were anywhere but Sicily and while the world's treasures are undoubtedly better preserved for it, it was an incredible place to say and I loved it. 

 that's not a postcard, that's the view from our room!

We also went to a wonderful restaurant there Ristorante Gambero Rosso.  After we thought our exceptional meal was over our waiter sat down at the table with us and had us try about 15 different kinds of Sicilian wine and then had his cousin come over to drive us and our car back to the hotel because we were no longer able.