He says: Sicily was like coming home. I'm proud of my Italian roots (as tenuous as they may be), and getting the opportunity to visit the area of Italy where some of my ancestors came from was great. The fact that the landscapes were beautiful as well was just a bonus.
In addition to its wonderful scenery, Sicily is also known as the birthplace of the mafia. With this in mind, Shauna had booked a Godfather tour with a driver who took us around to see some of the locations where the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola classic was filmed. We left the ship at 7 a.m. to meet our guide. Our tour mates for the day were David, Melissa, and Madison, a really nice family from Syracuse, NY. It was great to have someone else along the tour who enjoys The Godfather as much as me - David is a huge fan.
We visited several charming Italian towns that were not overrun with tourists, instead we got a glimpse into what rural Italian life is all about. Let me say - please sign me up! We met some very friendly locals who offered us fresh figs and grapes from their garden. Everything moved at a slightly slower pace in Sicily - good food and wine was everywhere.
The only thing I wish is that we had a little more time!

She says: Our tour with Tours With Mario"'s brother, Ignacio, was unforgettable. What an AWESOME day.

Melissa, David and Madison feel like family and it was great to share the adventure with them. David was particularly hilarious, as he wandered around "his Graceland" with stars in his eyes.

This region of Sicily is known for Cannoli and in Savoca, we had the best cannoli I've ever had and then in Messina, we watched the oldest man on earth whip up some fresh cannoli for us. And that kicked the other cannoli's ass and THAT was the beat cannoli we ever had. It was so good, we got him to make us more to bring to Lulu and Deirdre and were nearly late for the ship.

It was such a great day, we were the first off and last on the ship.

Back on the ship, I made my fourth (and final, the doctor leaves tomorrow) trip to the clinic. He FINALLY found the infection that I know I had all along, and remarked that this was such an interesting case for him. As well, my "diagnosis:ear pimple" has now turned, in his words "from a volcano to a crater" AND as an added bonus I also got an ear infection in the OTHER EAR TOO! Oh well, now I have the proper meds.

It was Lulu's last night and age wanted to party. We had a mission to get a photo of her with Cruise Director Shane (CDS). Our mission failed. However, she did get to take part in cheering on the oddest, surreal "Parade of the Baked Alaska" at dinner. Cruising is weird.