Property: 10 |
Cleaning: 10 |
Host: 10 |
Location: 10 |
Price/Quality: 10
| Breakfast: 10
We stayed only one night at this B&B, but it was a truly fascinating experience. We were greeted by the owner, Mr. Francesco Foti, who is the refined director of what is not just a simple stay for passing tourists but, thanks to his style, quickly becomes an experience. The B&B rooms are inside an ancient and large apartment in the historic center of Agrigento, particularly in the living room, furnished with antique furniture, a grand piano is on display with many scores placed on top, in an artistic disorder, many paintings on the walls: classics and also many old family photos. While Mr. Francesco was preparing the paperwork and documents for our stay, he told us the story of his ancient family, with Sicilian and French origins, the story of his grandmother, who appears in several vintage photos, and thus we immersed ourselves in an atmosphere of memories, of events that become the common thread of a story of the palace, the family, memories, the love for his two cats that happily coexist with the lucky guests of the B&B, and finally his passion for music. While he entertained us, two English guests returned, who were leaving, and immediately, caught by sudden enthusiasm, he told the lady that he had found the two scores (Brahms and Schubert I think) she was looking for, at the same time informing us that she was a pianist. They sat at the piano and played the two pieces together, which ended with our applause. It was truly suggestive, it felt like being part of a movie script. For some reason, it reminded me of James Ivory's film 'A Room with a View' and in those moments it made us feel more like travelers than tourists. Then, entering the room we found the same style, the antique furnishings, his constant attempt to give the house the charm of the past. So much attention to detail, the passion for decoration and the family's history. Then, we must remember the terraces surrounding the top floor, where breakfast is served, and which give the B&B its name. Practically an attic with antique furnishings, paintings and family photos in quantity, surrounded by large terraces with plants, chairs and tables, and above all, with a vast view over Agrigento, from the Valley of the Temples to the sea, to the oldest neighborhoods. In the morning, on the day of our departure, while the two waitresses were serving the guests, he gave suggestions, and made sure that all the Sicilian specialties he had expressly brought were tasted: more like a host with distinguished guests than a B&B owner. Finally, he was very kind to give us all the information about the archaeological path, very useful and which saved us effort, not least he booked dinner for us, directly with the owner at a fantastic restaurant 'Sal8' where besides eating very well we received an extremely attentive and courteous treatment. Only regret? We stayed too short!
stayed from 10/10/2018 to 10/11/2018