{"id":149,"date":"2018-08-21T19:58:46","date_gmt":"2018-08-21T19:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lemonsandpalmtrees.com\/?p=149"},"modified":"2019-04-25T18:28:21","modified_gmt":"2019-04-25T18:28:21","slug":"modica-chocolate-views-good-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lemonsandpalmtrees.com\/modica-chocolate-views-good-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Modica"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year in May our friends got married in Modica. We did not want to miss the wedding and springtime in Sicily.
\n<\/p>\n

\"Wedding<\/a>
The wedding couple and Sixten outside Duomo di San Giorgio In Modica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wander the streets of Modica<\/h2>\n

Modica is a beautiful, baroque town rising up both sides of a valley in the\u00a0Hyblaean Mountains (UNESCO protected). The friendly locals, beautiful architecture, and its lively atmosphere make it a city you want to stay in for a longer time.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The architecture and old buildings in Modica are stunning<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n
Modica is easily covered by foot, but be prepared to climb a lot of stairs. It is like the north Italian city <\/span>Bergamo<\/a>, divided into two parts. The newer and lower part: Modica Bassa and the old part on the top of the valley: Modica Alta.<\/span><\/div>\n

Lively and charming Modica Bassa<\/h2>\n

Modica’s ancient buildings are all built in the same color,\u00a0 giving the impression that they are stacked on top of each other.\u00a0From Modica Alta down to Modica Bassa you can walk a couple of different staircases. All include many, many steps but provides a stunning view of the whole city and valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"
On the way from Modica Alta to Modica Bassa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Modica Bassa is spacious, with big squares and open areas around the churches,\u00a0 which makes it a very kid-friendly place to be. It is centered around the lively and wide main street <\/span>Corso Umberto<\/a>. Here you will find small boutiques and shops, restaurants and bars, gelaterias, and a playground for the kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Walking<\/a>
Strolling down Corso Umberto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Corso Umberto is very charming and lively. In the evening the street becomes busy with locals out for a walk and an aperitivo before dinner. The locals are very friendly towards travelers and kids, and you get the feeling everybody knows each other.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>
View to Modica Alta from Corso Umberto in Modica Bassa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elderly
Discussing life in Modica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Colazione Sicilian style at Latteria in Modica<\/h2>\n

Our friends took us for breakfast to their regular spot: Latteria – Caff\u00e8 Storico<\/strong><\/a> on Corso Umberto, that serves a perfect coffee and has a great outdoor seating area. Our breakfast was, of course, Cornetto filled with chocolate cream, which is superb here. Sit\u00a0outside, and watch the local life, on the busy but relaxed main street. In the evening it’s also a good place to go for a drink and they have a great wine card with local wines.<\/p>\n

Modican Scacce at Rosticceria Piccolo Bar<\/h2>\n

In the corner of the square,\u00a0Piazza Giacomo Matteotti<\/a>\u00a0is a nice family run Rosticceria: Piccolo Bar di Martino<\/strong>.<\/a> The friendly owners offer a selection of homemade arancini and the typical local Modica dish, scacce. Scacce is flatbread folded in layers with a variety of stuffing, as. eggplant and tomatoes or ricotta cheese and vegetables – super tasty. Prices are low and the place is a must for trying the typical food of Modica. We went there almost every day, as their empanada with squid and potatoes became my favorite snack – lunch and evening.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e9 Adamo<\/h2>\n

Our friends also introduced us to Caff\u00e9 Adamo,<\/a>\u00a0which is a must try for lovers of Sicilian sweets. Both their Cassata, gelato, and granita, which is called \u201ccremolata\u201d, with more fruit than ice, are amazing. Their gelato is kept in stainless steel containers\u00a0with lids on, and this, I think, is a sign of a place making high-quality gelato. It does not need to look flashy and be on display to sell. Their Cassata, ricotta filled cake on a crusted bottom and topped with marzipan, is also sooo delicious.<\/p>\n

\"Caffe<\/a>
Caffe Adamo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Walk to the top of Modica Alta<\/h2>\n

While staying in Modica, we rented an apartment through Airbnb in Modica Alta. Our hosts greeted us with warm Sicilian hospitality plus delicious arancini, fruit, and\u00a0scacce.\u00a0We spent our evening walking around in the narrow streets of Modica Alta. Walking through these old tiny streets, we would get surprised when we, every now and then, met a car passing through – just barely fitting between the buildings on each side.<\/p>\n

Walking to the top of Modica Alta you will arrive at the viewpoint, Pizzo Belvedere<\/a>. From Pizzo Belvedere you’ll get a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole city, the mountains and the grand Irminio bridge connecting the two viaducts. (It took some time to get up and down the stairs with a 3 years old kid and he was on the shoulders quite a bit).<\/p>\n

There is a small bar<\/a>, next to Pizzo Belvedere so you can settle your thirst after climbing the stairs to get there. A bit further up the street is the church of San Giovanni, from where you have a view of the eastern part of Modica.\u00a0Just down the broad external stairs of the church, on a plateau, is a good caf\u00e9 and pizzeria,\u00a0Pizzeria mille e una notte<\/a>. We sat on their terrace in the morning sun and enjoyed a coffee with the locals. Matias and Sixten also had a huge cornetto filled with chocolate, which kept them full until late <\/span>afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aperitivo in a shaded garden below Duomo San Giorgio<\/h2>\n

Just below the big church San Giorgio, you’ll find a peaceful plateau with a wine bar inside a garden:\u00a0Gli Orti Di San Giorgio<\/a>.They\u00a0offer bar service and leave you to chill in lounge chairs on the wooden verandas, shaded by olive trees.<\/p>\n

\"Entry<\/a>
Entry to Gli Orti Di San Giorgio<\/strong> via the Stairway to Duomo San Giorgio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They serve great natural wine, and various cold cuts and small dishes. It’s a great place to go for an aperitivo around sunset. Or in the evenings where you will have the scenic views of the city with lights up against the mountains, and it becomes busy, serving cocktails, especially at the weekends. Prices are a little above the average.<\/p>\n

Other Great Places to Eat in Modica<\/h2>\n

Invito Ristorante<\/a>\u00a0is a great family run restaurant located in a beautiful setting, 5 minutes drive out of town. It feels like being in the countryside though when you sit in the\u00a0tree-shaded garden outside, where there is room for kids to run around.\u00a0<\/span>Invito serves local cuisine with a modern take. Every second Sunday they\u00a0offer a brunch consisting of a sweet and savory buffet, typical Sicilian. But the buffet also includes vegan, vegetarian dishes and, on request, gluten-free as well as typical American\u00a0pancakes, eggs, and bacon.<\/p>\n

Address:\u00a0Via Denaro Papa 10,\u00a0<\/span>Modica.\u00a0<\/span>Open Every night from Tuesday to Sunday. At lunch on a prior reservation. Monday closed.<\/p>\n

La Rusticana<\/a> in Modica Bassa offers local slow cooking. You’ll find that the food in Modica is a bit heavier than when you’re at the coast. While you can usually get fish, the specialties of Modica are featuring meats and cheese, as well as pasta. La Rusticana is a great place to sample this food, as well as local artisanal craft beer.<\/p>\n

\"The
Wedding at The Duomo San Giorgio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visit the Seaside of Modica at Marina Di Modica<\/h2>\n

Just 20 minutes by car, south from Modica\u00a0you will find a long stretch of sandy beach with crystal clear water at Marina Di Modica<\/a>. The day after the wedding all the guests and the newlyweds met at the beach to have a dip in the ocean and watch the sunset before we all headed for a dinner together at Restaurant Invito<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Sunset
Sunset at the beach in Marina di Modica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting to and from Modica<\/h2>\n

Modica is reached by car or the local\u00a0AST<\/a>\u00a0bus service. Bus takes 2h from Catania and Siracusa.\u00a0By car\u00a0from Catania airport, it’s 1h. 30 min.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year in May our friends got married in Modica. We did not want to miss the wedding and springtime in Sicily.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n