Sultaness of the East

By Linda Tancs

Dubbed the Sultaness of the East, Mexico’s Valladolid is more than just a hub for a nearby visit to Chichén Itzá. Yucatán’s third largest city is also a treasure trove of art and architecture. You’ll find the largest collection of Mexican folk art in private hands at Casa de los Venados. Deeply Mayan yet distinctly Iberian (founded by invading Spaniards in 1543), the quiet streets are dotted with pastel walls, colonnades and cenotes (sinkholes filled with fresh water). Renting a bicycle is a great way to get around.