The first port of call on my cruise was Messina, in Sicily. It was a hot and humid day. So humid, in fact, that it rained in the middle of the afternoon.
We had booked an excursion to Taormina, a town perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian sea. There, you'll find an ancient Greek theatre, old churches, and antique shops. The town is also close to Mount Etna and has been a tourist destination since the 19th century.
The arrival in Messina.
A view of Messina from the ship.
A typical street in Taormina.
A typical street in Taormina.
A detail from the fountain in Piazza Duomo.
More photos of my trip to Europe: