Dear Travelers,
We’re getting closer to our Sicilian adventure, and we’re excited to share updates to help you prepare and get inspired! Here’s a detailed look at what’s included in this update —
ETIAS Travel Registration Program - what you need to know
Call For Traveler Bios – get to know your fellow travelers!
Trip Preview - Valley of the Temples & History of Agrigento
Agrigento Hotel Preview - Valley of the Temples
ETIAS Traveler Registration Program
What is it?
European Travel Information and Authorization System is not a visa but a required online travel authorization for short stays in Europe.
When does this program go into effect?
The ETIAS website states that travelers entering Europe during Q4 of 2026 will need to complete ETIAS. We’ll keep an eye on the updates and share the relevant information and application information if necessary.
Who Needs ETIAS?
American passport holders visiting for tourism, business, or transit must obtain ETIAS prior to travel.
Requirements - to apply, travelers need:
Valid U.S. passport
Completion of the online application & application fe
Most applications are approved electronically.
Validity & Travel Use
An approved ETIAS is generally valid for up to three years (or until your passport expires) and allows multiple short trips. It is electronically linked to your passport and checked at border entry.
Request for Traveler Bios & Photos for the Printed Guide
We want our printed guide to reflect the amazing group joining us! Please send us a short bio including
‘About Me’ (2–3 sentences) - You could include where you're from, what you’re passionate about, some of your favorite travel destinations or fun travel quirks.
Icebreaker Questions - Answer 3 Icebreaker Questions (below)
1. Window seat or aisle?
2. What’s the first trip that inspired you to become a ‘traveler?’
3. What excites you the most about this trip to Spain?
Please upload a favorite photo of yourself by [deadline March 5, 2026].
Agrigento - A Walk Through Ancient Sicily
High above Sicily’s southern coast, Agrigento is a place where ancient history feels close at hand. Founded in 582 BC by Greek settlers and originally called Akragas, the city quickly grew wealthy and influential.
Over time, Agrigento passed from Greek to Roman, then Arab, Norman, and Spanish rule. While each left traces, it’s the Greek legacy that defines the city today. Modern Agrigento is distinctly Sicilian—lived-in, sun-warmed, and proudly layered—while just beyond town lies one of the Mediterranean’s great archaeological treasures.
The Valley of the Temples - Ancient Greece in Sicily
Just outside the city stretches the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved collections of ancient Greek temples anywhere in the world.
Built between the 5th and 6th centuries BC, these temples once announced Akragas’ power and devotion. Despite the name, the site sits along a ridge, offering sweeping views toward the sea and dramatic light throughout the day.
Standout temples -
Temple of Concordia, among the most intact Greek temples in existence
Temple of Hera, perched at the edge of the ridge
Temple of Olympian Zeus, once colossal, even in ruin
Together, we’ll spend the morning touring the park and ruins with a private guide who transforms stone into story—explaining how the temples were used, why some survived, and what daily life looked like in this thriving ancient city.
Hotel Villa Athena
Hotel Villa Athena offers one of the most extraordinary stays in Sicily. Set within the Valley of the Temples, this refined five-star hotel occupies a restored 18th-century villa with direct private access to the archaeological park—the only hotel in Agrigento with this privilege.
From the gardens, terraces, and many guest rooms, enjoy sweeping views of ancient Greek temples, olive groves, and the rolling countryside beyond. The atmosphere is serene and intimate, blending modern luxury with deep historical resonance.
Staying here means early-morning and evening access to the site, when the light is golden and the crowds are gone—turning a visit to the Valley of the Temples into a private and immersive experience.
