Written by Roger Crowley.

One of the small joys of our Mediterranean voyage has been the weddings. Almost every port in Sicily has provided us with glimpses of magnificent Italian marriage ceremonies—the brides with their white wedding trains and delicate lace veils, male guests done up in sharp suits, the women in heels so high, we sometimes feared for their safety in the old cobbled streets! Throngs of well-wishers gathered to watch the ceremonies, small children in new clothes running excitedly through the legs of their grandparents, video and photo opportunities created beside sea walls, baroque churches, and ancient fountains. In the magnificent cathedral of Marsala we got to watch a marriage service unfold. One of our explorers was moved to tears by the ceremony, and the beautiful singing, she was introduced to the bride at the end!