Messina

It's the half way point of this week's cruise, and our three groups of guests are today visiting Messina, the third largest city in Sicily. Lynda and Jeff opt for a walking tour with a local guide. As well as being shown the city's most impressive landmarks, including the largest astronomical clock in the entire world, their guide also takes them to some local foodie hot spots, to enjoy some Sicilian treats of the rice based street food arancini, and the deliciously sweet Cannoli. After all that walking, a foot massage is in order. An appointment at the ship's on board spa is a welcome way to end the day. Suraj, Sneha and their two young daughters spend the morning in Fort San Jaccidhu Ecological Park - a tranquil oasis nestled on the border of the Peloritani Mountains. Suraj and Sneha are impressed by the stunning views, whilst the children are equally impressed by the park's local Mountain Goats. A quick trip to the Neptune Fountain, a 16th Century marble statue in Messina's city centre, completes their day in Sicily, as the parents decide to ditch sight-seeing for the ship's main pool. Four-year-old Kaila can already speak some German and Portuguese. For today's trip to Sicily, she and dad Scotty, take the opportunity to brush up on their Italian with Gianluca from the ship's customer service team. Their new language skills go down well with the locals, as they order some of Sicily's famous gelato in Messina's city centre, before heading eight km north, to the peaceful lagoons of the lakes of Ganzirri. A chance meeting with some local fisherman gives the pair the chance to see some of the lake's native clams and mussels up close.