But today we are really going to Modica. No more excuses. About the 1st unsuccessful attempt we have here reports. We are curious to see whether we like Modica as much as Noto. After all, both towns belong to the Baroque Val di Noto and are therefore UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The bar is set high, as Noto scores points not only for its beautiful Baroque buildings, but also for its Mitoraj sculptures. But we've already talked about that here already reported.

The chocolate

But Modica is famous for its chocolate. Marc and I both love chocolate. However, I'm not really a fan of dark chocolate yet. To my shame, I have to confess that I love white chocolate. So I'm an absolute chocolate philistine. But maybe I'll be converted in Modica. I'm very curious.

Parking

The first thing we notice about Modica is that there is a lot going on here. We are no longer used to that. We've always found Sicily to be very quiet, especially now in winter and even more so due to coronavirus. Nevertheless, we quickly find a parking space on Corso Umberto. A friendly cab driver tells us that the parking ticket machines are probably just dummies. You buy the real parking ticket in a tobacconist's and scratch off your parking ticket. The thing looks more like a scratch card, but as we didn't get a parking ticket, it must have worked.

Cathedral of San Pietro

We stroll up Corso Umberto towards San Pietro Cathedral. This baroque façade is simply beautiful. We sit on the steps in the sun for a while, as do some other young people. The figures of the 12 apostles next to the steps are absolutely worth seeing.

Antica Dolceria Bonajuta

Then we set off in search of what is probably the best chocolate in town at the Antica Dolceria Bonajuta. There are many varieties of dark chocolate on display. But don't be fooled, there are lots of other great dolci here as well as chocolate. These are made fresh on demand. So if you want cannolli, cassata or torrene, you have to ask for them. There is a price list outside the door. If you wait in the queue outside the door, you'll have plenty of time to study the list.

The special thing about the chocolate in Modica is that the cane sugar in the dark chocolate is not melted. This is because it is produced at a low temperature. The recipe goes back to the Aztecs and was brought over by the Spanish. No other fats are added during production so that the chocolate does not melt even at high temperatures. We bought a few bars of chocolate: Dark chocolate with 70% and 90% and cinnamon chocolate. We immediately did the test and dissolved a few crumbs of chocolate in our coffee. And it does melt.

City stroll

A few steps go up next to the Bonajuta. From up here you have a beautiful view of the cathedral and the upper town.

We stroll up the narrow streets behind the cathedral into the upper town and stand in front of a cathedral. Yes, that's right, Modica has a Cathedral of San Pietro in the lower town and a Cathedral of San Giorgio in the upper town of Modica Alto. The latter has a very impressive flight of 260 steps. Too bad we left the drone in the car. It could have taken a great photo right now. But now to go down all those steps again and get the drone?

We decide to visit the café next to the cathedral, sit in the sun and enjoy the dolci of Sicily, namely a hot chocolate and a chocolate granita in a brioche. Both very tasty. A chocolate tasting is included on top. However, the salted chocolate is not quite our taste. But as we all know, there's no arguing about taste.

Modica is also known for its clock tower, which is impossible to miss. This clock from 1725 is still fully functional today. It works mechanically with counterweights.

If you want to get really touristy, take the green train through Modica.

Ragusa Ibla

We drive on to Ragusa, or rather to the beautiful old town of Ragusa Ibla. We were here on our last visit to Sicily. We still remember the great Gelati di Vini ice cream parlor on the cathedral square. If you're in the area, be sure to try the wine ice cream. It is fabulous.

We park at the bottom of the street, walk up the steep footpath and stroll through the village. There are signs everywhere in the town pointing the way to the sights, so you can't get lost.

Compared to Modica, we notice how quiet it is here, almost extinct and ghostly. And on a Sunday, when it feels like all the Italians are out and about. Unfortunately, the beauty of Ragusa Ilba doesn't quite reveal itself to us. I think Noto has spoiled us so much that hardly any town could be more beautiful. Only when we get back to the car do we realize that we have hardly taken any photos. Perhaps we are simply fed up with all the baroque impressions. Ragusa Ibla has a hard time scoring any more points.