Agrigento Virtual Tour: The Valley of the Temples
Join our fascinating journey into the land of the ancient Greeks on a virtual tour of Agrigento's Valley of the Temples
Agrigento Virtual Tour: The Valley of the Temples
duration 1.5 hours
Tour Overview
Join expert guide Andrea for a virtual journey into the heart of one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites: the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, spectacularly sited on the southern coast of Sicily. A unique marriage of stunning natural beauty and magnificent human achievements, Agrigento is home to eight incredibly well-preserved ancient temples built between the years 510 and 430 BC. Founded in 580 BC by Greek settlers from Gela and Rhodes, the ancient city of Akragas rose rapidly to become the third largest city in Magna Graecia - but it was the awe-inspiring series of temples soaring over a rocky ridge that would ensure Agrigento’s reputation as one of the most evocative windows into the world of classical Greek civilization anywhere on earth. Seemingly impervious to the passage of time, Agrigento’s Greek temples have withstood 2,500 years of wind and sun, war, invasions and conquest. Learn the fascinating story of Agrigento and Sicily’s ancient Greek past, and discover why the site’s exceptional beauty has inspired generations of writers, poets and artists.
If the day of the week or start time of this group tour doesn't work for you, please email us at office@througheternity.com to arrange a suitable alternative date.
Tour includes:
- Live broadcast from Italy
- Immersive webinar with local guide Andrea
- In-depth exploration of Agrigento's Valley of the Temples
- Have your questions answered by Andrea
Highlights:
- Explore the eight incredible temples of Agrigento
- Discover the fascinating story of the Valley of the Temples
- Learn the history of the Greek period in Sicily
Tour Description
Meet your guide: Andrea
Hi I’m Andrea! A native of Naples, I’ve lived in the Campania region of Italy all my life, and I have a deep love for its art, archeology, music, architecture, cuisine, natural beauty and - of course - its people. I have shared this world with many, many visitors over the years,showcasing the vast range of this wonderful place. When I was 14 years old I started working as an actor in theatres, and this plays a central role in how I communicate on my tours today - I always try to put something theatrical into everything I do :-)
What Exactly is a Through Eternity Virtual Tour?
The world of travel might be on hold right now, but just because we're all staying at home to help the world overcome a common enemy doesn't mean we have to put our wanderlust on the back burner. Frustrated with not being able to get our travel fix, we decided to transform our award-winning tours into immersive virtual experiences, meaning you can still explore Italy’s spectacular archaeological sites and jaw-dropping museums from the comfort of your own home.
As a sign of our gratitude to those who are on the front line fighting the Coronavirus, we would be more than happy to invite all first responders, health workers and NHS workers to join our Virtual Tours for free. Please message our office staff directly!
* Please note that the booking times are in US Eastern Standard Time and Rome, Italy CET is 6 hours ahead *
Fun and informative, our virtual tours take the form of online real-time presentations led by our expert guides. Combining videos, high-definition photos and more, our guides will be sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with you on these interactive walkthroughs of Italy’s most fascinating sites. The live format of our virtual tours means you’ll be able to ask your guide anything you wish, just like on a normal tour. We really believe it's the next best thing to being here!
Please note that the proceeds from our online tours go directly to our guides, providing them with a valuable lifeline in these tough times for the world of travel. Thank you for your support!
Tour Reviews
5.0 (3 reviews)
I loved Andrea's informative, captivating tour of Agrigento. He begins with the history and geography of Sicily and the area, since this is crucial to understanding the settlement of the area during ancient Greek and Roman times. He explains the architecture of the temples and the significance of it to the culture of ancient Greeks and Romans. He also covers the agriculture and industry of the area and helps us to understand how people lived. Andrea conveys his passion for Italy and Sicily and its beauty as he does in every tour!
This inspiring virtual tour was requested by another Through Eternity client with a special interest in this site--and confidence that Andrea would offer the kind of engaging and memorable experience for which he is justifiably well known. Andrea may have surpassed even her high expectations, as he did mine. I had seen a few pictures of these temples, without any real understanding of their historical and cultural significance. Andrea gracefully guided us behind and beyond the beautiful postcard views. The description promised an encounter with a rare convergence of human achievements and natural beauty, and Andrea, as he always does, more than delivered. While most of the time, narrative, and images focused on the human achievements, visible even in the ruins of these stunning temples, by the end of the tour it became very clear that the Greeks very deliberately, very shrewdly, chose one of the most beautiful landscapes in Sicily to celebrate their gods. The dynamic interplay between art and nature and human and divine reverberates at the heart of the stories Andrea recounts, along with a refreshing acknowledgment of the dynamism between past and present. Through this virtual tour, Andrea not only shares some of his seemingly encyclopedic knowledge, but also pricks our curiosity and wonder. He leaves us with a sense of mystery, wanting to know and feel still more. And that this tour was developed in response to a client's particular interests nicely illustrates the admirable commitments of Through Eternity and Andrea to enter into meaningful dialogue with those of us who can only travel virtually, for now.
