Travel in Technicolour

Travel these days has transformed from sightseeing to scene-making with almost every traveller becoming their own travel documentary producer. With more and more prospective travellers turning to social media for inspiration, the demand for Instagram-worthy destinations has exploded. But today's savvy tourists want more than just a pretty photo—they're also seeking authenticity within the aesthetic.

Influencer content has certainly inspired people to visit new destinations, yet 81% of consumers say authenticity is a significant factor in brand following. Most modern travellers crave destinations that deliver both visual impact and genuine cultural experiences—places where the rainbow hues tell real stories, and don’t just create perfect posts. So where do you travel to find the perfect mix of both?

First up is one of my personal favourites: The island of Burano in Italy. The Venetian lagoon's rainbow island where fishermen's houses create a living palette of colour. Each house colour is government-regulated to maintain an harmonious aesthetic. Burano also offers some fantastic authentic eateries and is famous for its lace-making heritage. [Photo by Aleksandra Svyripa on Unsplash]

Then, consider the next destination as a “Rhapsody in Blue” and visit Morocco's "Blue Pearl", Chefchauouen where every shade tells a story of Andalusian heritage. Founded in 1471 as a fortress against Portuguese invasions, this mountainous city makes a great stopping point for any visit to Morocco.[Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash]

A visit to the Rainbow Village of Kampung Pelangi in the centre of the island of Java is a visual treat. This former slum has been transformed into a rainbow village through community art. What initially started as a social revitalization project has now boosted local tourism by 300%. [Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash]

Another colourful destination is Agueda in Portugal. Here, the stand-out attraction in the annual Umbrella Sky installation. Started in 2011, this annual cultural phenomenon lines the historic streets of Agueda with thousands of colourful umbrellas which provide both shade and colour to the historic centre. The art installation changes seasonally, and is best visited July-September but Agueda offers so much more culturally than just its umbrella lined streets and is well worth a visit even outside of the exhibition period. [Photo by Ricardo Resende on Unsplash]

These destinations prove that the most captivating travel experiences happen when spectacular visuals meet authentic culture—where every colour has a story worth sharing. And where even a simple social upliftment programme can be key to placing a destination firmly on every travel traveller’s bucket list map.