The port city of Catania, about 30 miles south of Taormina, is Sicily's economic and commercial hub. Its old town in the center of the city, rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting some of the most exuberant late-Baroque architecture to be found anywhere in Europe—particularly the Cathedral and the Palazzo Biscari.

On arrival in Catania, you will walk along the city's main street, passing both of these spectacular buildings. Stop for a sample of arancini, Sicily's emblematic street food of fried rice balls filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. Your walk continues to the authentic center of the city: the Mercato del Pesce, Catania's famed street market. As the name suggests, there is an abundance of seafood of every description on sale here, but just about any other sort of food you can imagine is also available—oranges and almonds from nearby orchards, roasted peppers, cured meats, fresh vegetables, cheeses, breads. The sights, sounds, and smells are absolutely exhilarating. You will then stop at a café for a taste a Sicilian-style cannoli - the perfect ending to your experience of Catania's food scene.

• This tour involves approximately 1.25 miles of walking over sometimes uneven cobblestone surfaces. It may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility. Weather appropriate clothing; sun cap; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the Cathedral.

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your day time between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Athens

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative. Then, you will depart the port of Piraeus by coach for an exploration of one of the oldest city in Europe, Athens.

On your way to Athens centre, you will pass by the Zea and Microlimano marinas, two of the most attractive spots in Piraeus.

Your next visit will be at the Byzantine Museum & Christian Museum, one of Greece's national museums. Its areas of competences are centred on - but not limited to - religious artefacts of the Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, post-Byzantine and later periods which it exhibits, but also acquires, receives, preserves, conserves, records, documents, researches, studies, publishes and raises awareness of. The museum has over 25,000 artefacts in its possession. The artefacts date from between the 3rd and 20th century AD, and their provenance encompasses the entire Greek world, as well as regions in which Hellenism flourished. The size and range of the collections and value of the exhibits makes the museum a veritable treasury of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art and culture.

At the end of the morning, you will be taken to the Plaka Old District located at the bottom of the Acropolis, in the historic heart of Athens. You will have some free time (about 45 minutes) to explore on foot Plaka's pedestrian shopping streets where you will find jewellery stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

• Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
• Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Lunch.
• Tips for the driver and local guide.
• Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
  

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel advisor; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT's selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.