Donnafugata and the Chocolate Shop

MAPS CAN BE SO helpful and I learned how to create one using Google MyMaps.  

We flew into Catania from Morocco via Rome and drove to Ragusa at night.

The next day was spent wandering around Ragusa.

Castello di Donnafugata is supposed to be an interesting place to visit. We wanted to take a drive and this was only about 10 miles away - perhaps as the crow flies and not as the roads wind. It is hard to get an interesting exterior photo. The interior is interesting enough; not as grand as some we've seen. It appears to be a work in process. The exterior and many interior photos are not very exciting so there aren't many to wade through. 

We visited in February and the grounds have their winter coat on. It is not time yet for sprucing up. However, the Ficus Magnolioide trees were quite magnificent.

The chocolate shops of Modica are well known. There was a prediction of rain; after walking the grounds of Donnafugata Castillo, we headed to Modica for chocolate sampling. Modica chocolate is dark with lighter brown highlights; the texture is grainy and crumbly, with seeds of sugar. It is definitely different from silky chocolate. After parking, we ran through the rain to get some chocolate samples and a cup of hot chocolate, which was thick and different than the smooth and blended form that Americans are used to. Differences are lovely to experience.

Modica also has a glorious St. George cathedral that is a World heritage site by UNESCO. It is the symbol of Sicilian Baroque. Today is the result of the 16th and 18th century reconstructions which occurred after disastrous earthquakes in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The following is taken from the top of the steps.

A glorious interior.

Time to head back to Ragusa and pack for the next leg of the journey. Besides, it is pouring buckets outside.