We drove to Modica, another UNESCO-listed town, where we met the drivers of the iconic form of transport: vintage Fiat 500’s. These small Italian cars ideal for maneuvering the narrow streets and lanes of Modica, as we discovered during our 1-hour ride. 

The Fiats were produced in Torino Italy from 1957-1975.  In the 1950s Italy was recovering from a combination of the Second World War and the oppressive Fascist years of the 1930s and 40s. Ordinary Italians just wanted to have a bit of fun. They’d seen life in the movies straight from Hollywood and it was time to enjoy the seaside and countryside of Italy for themselves.  They were affordable for many Italian families, who had previously relied on a 2-wheel scooter or motor bike to get from place to place.

This is a small car, with a tiny engine. It measures just six feet in length from front to back. The rides were provided by members of the Modica Fiat 500 Club…and we even got to become members while we were there!!  This was soo much fun in this smart, shiny, funky little convertible-type car! These are our drivers.

Three of us piled into each car, and off we went! the following video shows a bit of our trip!!

We stopped at a vantage point to see how Modica was shaped by a 1693 earthquake. Like Ragusa, it is divided into upper and lower sections and features Sicilian Baroque architecture.

We had fun with our driver, especially when we came upon the Fiat in front of us with Margie in the back seat. She was so afraid to look forward that all she could do was look out the back windows. It was hysterical, as this video will prove!

This was the card we received as new members of the Modican Fiat Club!! We thanked our driver for her great driving skills!!

Modica is also well known for its unique chocolate….made using a traditional recipe that dates back to the 16th century. The cocoa beans are roasted and ground, then mixed with sugar and water. The mixture is then cooked at a low temperature, giving the chocolate a grainy texture.

Modica chocolate is known for its intense flavor due to the high concentration of cocoa solids. So…..we went for a chocolate tasting!

Modica chocolate is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, meaning it can only be made in Modica using the traditional recipe.