Flying Fourchette

Renaissance art at the Uffizi & Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

Sandra — Thu, 14 May 2026 22:31:13 +0000

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to innumerable artistic masterpieces, many of which can be found in what is now the oldest gallery in the world – The Uffizi Gallery. A must on every visitor’s list, it is best explored early in the morning while you still have full energy and a good 3-4 hours to do it justice. The walk along the Arno (the gallery entrance faces the river) in the morning is delightful with the south side bathed in light and the view of the Ponte Vecchio waking up. The Uffizi Built in 1560-1580 as a suite of offices for the then duke of Florence, Cosimo I de’ Medici, the Uffizi was shortly afterwards used by his heirs to display the Medici family art treasures. With their immense wealth, they had commissioned pieces from many great Florentine masters and their descendants kept adding to it until 1737. While the Renaissance collection is undoubtedly the highlight, you can see works on display reaching into the 20th century. Armed with your timed-entry ticket, you enter the gallery through the narrow Piazzale degli Uffizi, buzzing with artists already in the early morning. You can make use of an […]

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A visit to the heart of Florence around the Duomo

Sandra — Fri, 08 May 2026 22:52:49 +0000

Florence is a paradise for art and architecture lovers. With so many masterpieces packed into its compact historical center, it’s easy to fill a few days with just the big hitters though there are countless other riches near and far worth stretching your trip for. It would be impossible to write a single blog post on Florence so I’ve divided my visual story into tight walking areas with my favorite sights and eateries, from the iconic Duomo and Uffizi in the center to the surrounding Santa Croce, San Lorenzo, and Oltrarno neighborhoods and beyond. Morning Make your way across the heart of the city with a stop at Piazza della Repubblica, a large pedestrian square which used to be the site of the Old Market (only a single column remains). The grand arch dominating the west side was built to commemorate that Florence was once Italy’s capital, albeit briefly (1865-1871). The square is lined with elegant cafes and I suggest you fuel up here in this pleasantly calm and serene refuge before you hit the tourist hordes around the Duomo, trust me. Caffe Concerto Paszkowski has the perfect shaded terrace for people watching while you eat your breakfast. Take advantage […]

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Ruins, jungle, and waterfalls in Palenque, Mexico

Sandra — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:20:48 +0000

Mexico and neighboring Guatemala are not short on Mayan ruins, and while I can’t claim to have visited them all, I can say as of now that Palenque sits at the top of my list and is absolutely worth the effort to get to. Hidden deep within the jungle of Chiapas, this renowned UNESCO World Heritage site is a long drive from any major cities but will reward you with one of the most outstanding Classic period sites of the Maya civilization. Those with a bit more time will want to stay 2 or 3 days in the nearby town of Palenque to soak up the natural environment and get to the ruins first thing in the morning. The majority though will appreciate the day trip option from San Cristóbal de las Casas, a long one for sure, but one which is packed with wonderment as it combines a visit to the ruins with two more spectacular waterfalls. Here’s the day tour itinerary with a 4am departure from San Cris… Agua Azul I’m still not over how many breathtaking turquoise waterfalls there are in Chiapas and was delighted that our first stop of the day after a long and very […]

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El Chiflón waterfalls & Montebello lakes, Chiapas

Sandra — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:01:05 +0000

Most people when thinking about Mexico picture white sand beaches, taco stands, agave fields, and charming colonial towns, but few know that the state of Chiapas is one of the country’s most outstanding area of natural beauty. The climate is tropical with lush forests and heavy rains that create some spectacular water features. One such spectacle worth venturing out to is Cascadas El Chiflón, located over 2 hours south of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Here, the mighty San Vicente River drops dramatically through a tropical forest into a series of enchanting and absurdly blue waterfalls. To see them all, it’s a nice little hike up along the river on a well-made path over 1.5km, with a few steep sections but plenty of spots to refresh along the way! The first waterfall you encounter is El Suspiro (The Sigh) with a wide turquoise pool. Next one is Ala de Ángel (Angel’s Wing), nicely shaded with a shallower basin, perfect to dip your feet in. Then you start the climb towards the main attraction and tallest waterfall: Velo de Novia (Bride’s Veil). You can catch glimpses between the trees of all the bright blue pools, a really special sight. As you […]

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Cruising the majestic Cañón del Sumidero in Chiapas

Sandra — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:55:35 +0000

The Mexican state of Chiapas is filled with natural wonders from caves and lakes to stunning waterfalls. One of its most unique though is the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon which is fairly easy to access from the capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez and the state’s main airport. Day tours leave from either Tuxtla or San Cristóbal de las Casas and will bring you first to the viewpoints above so you can grasp the scale of the canyon from a bird’s-eye view. It was formed 35 million years ago through a combination of cracks in the Earth’s crust and erosion from the river, around the same time as the Grand Canyon. The best way to truly experience it is on a 2-hour boat ride navigating the 8 miles through the gorge, with sheer walls rising up to 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) high. Word of advice if you come from San Cristóbal – prepare for tropical weather! While it’s just an hour away, there’s 5,000+ foot elevation difference from mountainous San Cris to the canyon, with temperatures often 20-30°F higher. It is swelteringly hot so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. The towering cliffs rising on both sides are magnificent and will take up […]

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