Unearthing Sicily: Valley Temples & Roman Villa Masterpiece

Viator needs to arrange for tour guides, even if you have to pay separately, at the different sites and not leave you hanging without one. We were dumped at the sites and then it’s up to you to figure it out.

The driver, Fabio was great! He went out of his way to make us comfortable. There were two reasons why my rating wasn’t higher: 1. The lunch was not fresh. 2. Buying the entrance tickets took about 30 min! In addition, Viator stated that I was going to be picked up and dropped off at my hotel, but I had to take a cab!

We researched for weeks the most effective way to visit the temples and the villa. This was the best option for price, timing and convenience. It's a long drive from Catania - and we were grateful to have a pro like Fabio take the wheel. With a tour group of 7 we lucked into the front seat and received a real education in Sicilian driving, history, landmarks, culture and had our Italian corrected all with a smile. He's the best! Note that the focus of this tour is to get you to the sites and back - drivers are NOT tour guides and will not be walking you through the sites. You also have to buy your own tickets at the site. You can get audio guides to walk you through, but have to queue up for that separately. The day prior to the tour you are sent some excellent guides to both locations. We also wish to note that company management is superb at communications. We had issues of our own making in arranging a meeting location. They were patient and accommodating. We would highly recommend both Fabio and the company to anyone booking a tour out of Catania.

We had a great time here. It is more of a ride than an actual "tour", meaning the guide will not be there with you at the site. For us, this was perfect as we're loners. However, if you are looking for someone to give you all of the history of the location, this may not be for you. The driver, Damiano, was very sweet and funny. The people we met and got to eat with were also lovely

The two sites were excellent. Travel times to and from sites were accurate and adhered to. Fabio, the driver, was courteous and attentive although he drives way too fast and doesn’t leave much of a margin for error. Shrugging it off as a cultural trait in Italy doesn’t work for me when there are seven of us relying on him for our safety on a long distance trip. Given the overall price of the trip, the lunch was basic at best (one sandwich each and a glass of wine/ water in a crowded small cafe). Anything extra at your own cost. Trip list of included features did mention water would be available for the passengers. The driver didn’t have any and was unaware of the inclusion. Disappointed we had to pay venue entrance fees at both stops ( given overall cost of trip). Driver didn’t know anything about Agrigento or villa romana that he could share on the way to the venues- simply handed out a few pages of photocopied Wikipedia cut and pastes. Overall, an over-priced day out. I appreciate you are paying for the convenience of not having to drive to these places but there were too many missed opportunities by the trip organiser to add a bit of added value to the trip ( as explained above) and still making a profit.

So as usual, one must read the product descriptions very carefully. I was expecting a guided tour. It was not. A few sheets of poorly printed information for both sites. I also expected the 200 + euro fee to include admission the sites but it did not. It was basically a round trip cab ride for 4 in the loudest, clatter bucket van ever. Could barely hear ourselves converse over the clanging and banging of the rear doors. We were given 2 hours at each site. We had to skip the museum at the Valley Of The Temples to make that time-line. Didn't have to rush necessarily but had to hurry through. Lunch was a sandwich but it was ample enough and delicious. The sites were facinating in and among themselves but we would have had a far richer experience with a guide. Our fault again fo not paying closer attention to the details regarding costs. I think TripAdvisor need to have more clarity as to details so idiots like me don't miss key details. The local tour company was wonderful in there responsiveness to questions and availability to handle pick up details.

Great adventure to incredible places … more like a taxi ride really but worth the trip ! Comfortable ride in front … I asked lots of questions !!

Tickets are not included, the lunch provided are not very good sandwiches. You don’t get a water bottle but rather a large bottle shared with your other fellow travelers during lunch and wine is also provided. I found the experience what you pay for is basically a taxi service to get you to the two locations. You are provided sheets of paper after your arrival with an explanation of important aspects of the place. Our “guide” was super nice explained a little about the agriculture and where he was from. If you expect this to include any explanation’s of the location or expect a nice lunch. You are given a paper , driven to the location and brought back.

Great tour! I had an excellent day when I took this tour from catania. It combined the famous valley of temples in Agrigento and villa casale with its wonderful mosaic floors. Both are highlights of sicily and this tour takes in both! I found the tour very convenient and the guide kind and helpful.

Myself, my husband & my son had an exceptional day with Damiano exploring the Valley of the Temples and the Villa Romana del Casale. We learned a lot about Sicily & its history. Definitely recommended.