Suggested daily budget – 50-60 EUR / 52-62 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in your chosen home, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals with your Patron and using local transportation.)
Meet the Bonajuto team – six generations of artisan chocolate makers
“A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands” – quote by basically everyone in the planet 🙂
Dreaming of cannoli, artisan chocolate and panna cotta all the time? Come and enjoy your Dolce Vita moment with us.
If you have ever wished to be on the other side of the counter of a pastry shop and see how these amazing Italian sweets are prepared than this is the place for you to start.
Enter the secret world of artisan chocolate, dolces and try yourself in the oldest chocolate factory of Sicily.
Learn for a month for 2000€. (accommodation and flights not included)The price for the month is set by each Patron and 100% of the sum goes to them. The platform only adds a 15% service fee at the end to make sure we can go on with the platform and offer you 24/7 support.
Sweet dreams
The Antica Dolceria Bonajuto has been making its chocolate in Modica since 1880.
Hardly anything has changed since the old cold-processing method of cocoa used by the Mesoamericans in the 15th century.
Today, hundreds of years later, the wooden-panelled shop still makes heavenly award winning cinnamon, vanilla and chilli chocolate in true Aztec style.
Explore, taste and create your wonderful handmade delights in beautiful Modica.
Why Bonajuto?
In 1880 Francesco Bonajuto decided to follow the footsteps of his father, Federico and opened a small chocolate shop in the centre of the wonderful baroque city, Modica.
The Dolceria is still where he had established it, developing with the city and it’s amazing history.
The shop still uses the same ancient ingredients while adding new reinterpretations. The mix of history, tradition and excellence make the Bonajuto style so unique.
In the Bonajuto lab fresh pastries are prepared every single day and each piece is decorated by hand.
From biscuits to cannoli shells, from cassatine to country gelato: in the laboratory, each piece brings symphony of flavours and aromas with absolute freshness.
The Italian town with an ancient secret
Modica is situated in the dramatic landscape of  south-eastern Sicily and is one of the area’s UNESCO-listed baroque towns. It is also called the City of Hundred Bells and Hundred Churches.
Modica is divided into two parts – Alta and Bassa, upper and lower. They are divided by a canyon that is spanned by Europe’s highest bridge, the 300 meter high Guerrieri, which challenges those afraid of heights but also gives a breathtaking view of the city.
A beautiful place with palaces, piazzas, churches, and towers all decorated and attractive in their unique uniformity.
Chocolate has been made in this fascinating baroque town since the 17th century and the recipe is very similar to the Aztec one.
Still made according to the original techniques, the chocolate comes straight from cacao beans, without added cocoa butter.
What will happen on your Dream?
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You will learn century old recipes that date back from the 1880
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You will learn the antient Aztec style chocolate producing methods
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You will have a chance to be on the other side of the counter of a world renowed antique pastry shop
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You will learn everything about chocolate and how it’s made
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You will spend a wondeful month in beuatiful Modica
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You can learn how to buid your own business and what are the ingredients of success
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You can explore the region and learn from other chocolate manufacturers
How it works?
We connect you with the right people. You choose your dream for the month and get the best service from your Patron.
Need a place to relax? – A fancy loft, sea view apartment or a traditional house with homey feel? Your call. Choose your home for the month freely or ask our Patrons for their tips. In some cases you need to be close to your Patron so our team is prepared to offer you an amazing place to live and do your dream.
Eat. Drink. Repeat – Be prepared for amazing food and tasting all the time – and some extra pounds. So worry not – you will have a morning espresso and big lunches with your Patron. You will cook, you will eat and you will definitely have fun. Want to taste the local places as well for inspiration? Ask for our tips.
Safety first – It is relatively unlikely that you will be a victim of petty theft or other crime. But be careful!
Getting Around – We have plenty of tours to discover the area but if you want to go on your own we suggest you rent a Vespa or a car. Ask for our suggestions and we are happy to help. As for the public transportation – the trains are often late, but the buses, well, they are late too 🙂
Driving in Sicily – People are very fast, not always following the rules. It can get very intense on the road so drive safe!
So if you choose to travel like this don’t stress a lot – remember when in Rome do like the Romans do and relax.
Welcome to beautiful Sicily – everything you need to know
“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all”
Goethe
Sicily is the largest of the Italian islands, separated from the Continent by the Strait of Messina and surrounded by the Ionian, the Tyrrhenian and the Mediterranean Seas.
It is one of the pearls of Southern Italy and can be discovered, understood and experienced through a series of itineraries dedicated to areas of interest ranging from nature to history and traditions.
Read more: Conde Nest Travel // Lonely Planet
Things to explore
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Sicily is renowned for its steet food –Try an arancina (deep-fried saffron rice ball), panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (rustic, Sicilian-style “pizza”), polpo bollito (a boiled mini-octopus), and — if you dare — pani ca’ meusa…the famed spleen sandwich.
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Take the cable car to Mount Etna, the second most active volcano in the world
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Sicilians are some of the most enjoyable people to simply interact with – enjoy small talk with amazing local people
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Discover Sicily’s wonderful natural attractions like Parco Regionale delle Madonie, Parco dei Nebrodi and Parco Regionale dell’Etna, do canyoning in the Alcantara River Park or enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters in the park of Belice
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Rent A Car – Bicycle – Scooter – Exploring Sicily by car is the best way for see the most of it
Money Saving Tips
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Get the menu of the day Ask for our daily tips on the best places to eat and what to ask for.
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Bargain No matter what is the item always try to reduce price.
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Get city passes Plan your visits and ask for discounts.
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Free walking tours Great way to explore the city and get some local tips.
