Tag your Travel: Booking.com shares Five Colorful Cities Around the World that will Brighten Up Social Media
What is life, without an injection of color? It’s time to wave goodbye to the holiday blues and brighten up the new year with inspiration for the next trip. With more than half (55%) of US travelers wanting to venture to destinations with beautiful sights they can post on social media,* Booking.com has selected five of the most Instagrammable, vibrant cities around the world for travelers to feast their eyes on. From peaceful pastel hamlets in India to rows of rainbow homes in Argentina, travelers can immerse themselves in these kaleidoscopic destinations that are pure eye candy – and share the joy on social media.
Nicknamed the ‘blue pearl of Morocco’ and perched in the northwest beneath the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen is an artsy, blue-washed city that is one of the prettiest in North Africa and a photographer’s dream. The old medina, where leather stalls and weaving workshops line the cobbled streets, is a captivating delight of Moroccan and Andalucian influence with red-tiled roofs and bright blue buildings. Travelers can experience the special souks and teahouses in this ancient quarter on a Chefchaouen Private City Tour with a local guide before stopping off at the fortress, museum and grand mosque for valuable insights into the history and culture of Morocco. Those who want to catch the best views of this blue city should climb to the top of the mosque, highly recommended by local travelers.** Why not spice things up with a Chefchaouen Food Tour to discover the best of Moroccan cuisine? Travelers will sample dishes such as pastilla (a rustic, sweet-and-savory pie with tender shredded chicken, shaved almonds and warm spices) and b’ssara (a vibrant rich broad bean soup traditionally served for breakfast topped with olive oil and sprinkled with cumin) – sure to get Instagram followers salivating.
Where to stay: The beautiful Riad Gharnata is situated in the medina, a stone’s throw away from the famous square and markets, offering lovely views of this amazing colorful city. Traditionally decorated with authentic architecture including hand-carved wood and geometric tiles, rooms overlook an outdoor courtyard. After a day photographing the sights, either on bike or foot, guests can sit back and relax on the terrace with some complimentary, traditional Moroccan mint tea, or discover vibrant local dishes from tagines to bright fruits at the onsite restaurant.
Jaipur, India
The enthralling city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is the gateway to India’s most flamboyant state and known as the ‘Pink City’ due to practically every building being painted terracotta. This is thanks to the Indian Prince, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh, who was so keen to impress Prince Albert on his visit in 1976, that he colored the whole city to represent warmth and welcome. Jaipur is an essential stop on India’s cultural triangle: travelers will be wowed by the honeycomb City Palace, the multicolored gates of Pritam Niwas Chowk that represent the four seasons, and the rust-colored royal observatory. Travelers can book a Guided City Tour on a Tuk-tuk to take in Jaipur’s vibrant streets and the splendors of the city’s majestic past and present at their own pace – perfect for those looking to snap pictures for social media. Expect to see a dawdling camel or two!
Where to stay: Travelers will want to splash photos from the Rajmahal Palace RAAS all over social media. An opulent heritage residence turned luxury hotel, this incredible stay offers guests an onsite bar, three restaurants and a gorgeous Art Deco-style swimming pool. Each of the rooms and suites unites classic and contemporary Indian style with bright splashes of color and beautiful patterned prints. Guests can spend time photographing the magnificent grounds and indulge in afternoon tea on their private veranda.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Take a trip to the lively Buenos Aires, situated on the western shore of Río de la Plata, and visit La Boca, quite literally the ’mouth’ of Argentina’s capital city. A local neighborhood, its narrow alleys are flanked with a kaleidoscope of brightly painted zinc shacks, which are often portrayed as a symbol of Buenos Aires. Head to the famous street of El Caminito and get snap happy with all the punchy graffiti, street art, buskers and tango dancers. From tango heat to tangy steaks, Buenos Aires offers a whole host of attractions that are Instagram-worthy: Travelers can take a trip to the Casa Rosada (Pink Castle), become a Boca fan at the yellow and blue La Bombonera football stadium or visit the weekly folk market of Feria de Mataderos to experience the multi-colored handicrafts and horsemanship from the Argentine cowboys. Its vibrant arts scene is popular with travelers, as is its phenomenal nightlife, from traditional taverns to underground nightclubs catering to every niche, also highly recommended to visit by local travelers.**
Where to stay: Bed down at the boutique Tango de Mayo Hotel, situated a short drive away from the colorful neighbourhood of La Boca. Built in 1913, this hotel embodies the traditional architectural designs of the 19th century with glazed surfaces, symmetrical axes and original details such as the checkerboard floor in the lobby have been carefully restored. It’s craftsmanship has been recognised as an Art Nouveau Building (an aesthetic movement in the late 19th and early 20th century) in the City of Buenos Aires. Rooms are tastefully decorated with elegant bursts of color within the interiors. The hotel features an authentic Argentinian restaurant and a rooftop bar with panoramic views overlooking the Barolo Palace and the iconic Buenos Aires domes. Head to the bar between 7 – 9pm where guests will be treated to a DJ set and happy hour.
Experience a fusion of cultures, cuisines and landscapes in the beautiful city of Cape Town and be spoiled for choice with its natural wonders, art, design and culture. Expect everything from powder-white beaches to lilac sunsets, green mountainous views and the brightly painted houses in Bo-Kaap, known as one of the most Instagrammable places in the country thanks to its rainbow-colored abodes. The Half-day Culture and Township Tour is a great way to learn more about Bo-Kaap, the historic home of the Cape Malay community who painted their houses as an expression of their freedom. Situated in the south-western corner of South Africa, this city is crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park and famous for its sun, sea and scenery. Opt for an Off-the-beaten-track Table Mountain Tour following in the footsteps of a local guide for picturesque trails and panoramic photographs of Lion’s Head, Table Bay and Robben Island on a hike up this iconic mountain. Local travelers recommend hiking up the mountain when the sun sets, as it offers the most wonderful views that can be captured on camera.**
Where to stay: A stone’s throw away from the secluded Bakoven beach and a short drive from Bo-Kaap, Blue Views Villas and Apartments are a gorgeous set up, offering self-catering luxury accommodation. All properties are sea-facing with a private pool and guests can soak up the ever changing colors of nature on the terrace offering spectacular views over the cool blue Atlantic and warm burnt-orange sunsets that light up the sky. It’s also just a short walk to the world-famous Camps Bay beachfront with its vibey restaurants and bars.
Made up of four islands and separated by three canals, Burano is situated in the northern Venetian Lagoon, recognized for its delicate lace work and brightly coloured homes. Pink, red, blue, yellow, tall, short, straight and leaning – every single house that sits on the wide footpaths in front of the canals are a different color, shape and size, but all are beautifully reflected in the green channel waters. The island is home to big artists including Baldassare Galuppi, Remigio Barbaro and Pino Donaggio. From strolling along the Piazza Galuppi to visiting the lace museum, travelers can immerse themselves in one of the most picturesque places in the world.
Where to stay: Bruna Holidays House provides rooms with balconies where guests can drink in the rainbow of colors from this pretty island. The holiday home showcases a pop of color throughout the property to fit in with Burano’s vivacious aesthetics. A short walk away is the must-visit lace museum, Museo del Merletto, and some delicious seafood restaurants where visitors can enjoy the famous risotto de gò (a traditional Italian fish risotto).
For travelers seeking a colorful escape, Booking.com is sharing Early 2023 Deals to start the new year with new adventures. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Early 2023 Deals” badge, and are valid for stays with check-in from January 1 2023 and check-out on or before March 31 2023. In addition, Booking.com is giving travelers around the world the keys to unlock a new level of additional perks with the introduction of a third tier to its Genius loyalty program. Designed to make every trip a better experience, Booking.com’s loyalty program is completely free, easily accessible and membership lasts a lifetime – travelers simply need to create an account to achieve Genius status for life. As Genius members unlock new levels, they get access to larger discounts and more travel rewards that never expire. All travelers have to do is sign into their Booking.com account and look for the Genius logo to identify benefits, discounts and perks.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.
**Based on local travelers input from Booking.com’s Travel Communities who have visited the destination in the past.