Blue Monday, on the third Monday in January, is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. So, to lift the blues, Europesure Travel Insurance has a great tip. Why not just head to a place where the colour blue makes an experience unforgettable and far richer? Need inspiration? Here are four great suggestions – Santorini, Chefchaouen, Jodhpur and Júzcar - that should cover blues-busting when you travel.
The spirit-lifting blue rooftops of Santorini
Heading first to Santorini, the blue uplift is instantly evident. There’s the azure colour of the Mediterranean as a backdrop but also the painted roofs of properties in the much-photographed village of Oia. There, the blue rooftops contrast beautifully with the whitewashed walls. Then, there are three famous blue-domed churches, including the Church of Panagia Platsani and Anastasi Church, to add to the picture postcard scenery.
The Greek flag’s colours are very much flown in Santorini but that was all part of Greek history, with a military-led Government between 1967 and 1974 insisting buildings be painted in these hues. Oia is, therefore, not the only village in Santorini to offer this display, which is intermingled with bougainvillea and set against the natural blue tones of the sea. There is a village known as the Balcony to the Aegean – Imerovigli – where the Church of Panagia Malteza offers gorgeous views of blue domes set against volcanic cliffs.
The path between the villages of Firostefani and Fira is also punctuated by the presence of blue-domed churches. Then, there is more blue inspiration to be found in villages such as Akrotiri, Megalochori and Finikia.
Tourists wanting to encapsulate the beauty of the blue domes on camera should head out as soon after sunrise as possible, or before the sun goes down. Softer light sets the blue buildings off to best advantage, enabling you to create gorgeous photographic memories. By zooming in a little, you can also appreciate the textures, craftsmanship and patterns that make the blue domes so special.
And white? Well, it naturally reflects the heat, to keep local residents cooler in summer but there is, again, a nod to history and a cholera epidemic of 1938, during which the Government urged residents to paint their houses with limestone, which has antibacterial properties.
Nowadays, the blue and white homes and churches have become emblematic for Santorini, an island of sharp colour contrasts and perfect ways to lift the Blue Monday blues.
Exploring Chefchaouen (Chaouen), Morocco’s ‘Blue Pearl’
This NW-Moroccan city, around two hours from Tangiers, has its winding, sloping streets filled with buildings that boast blue walls symbolising the sky and heaven. These associations bring a spirituality to the colour choice, and at least 50 shades of blue convey them.
Known as the Blue Pearl, the city was once built to act as a fortress to keep Portuguese invaders away but then became part of Spanish-ruled Morocco. As for the blue colour, there are various theories beyond the spiritual: conveying the blue of the sea, keeping buildings cooler and repelling mosquitoes being just some. The reason could also be historic, with painting their homes blue being a practice of Sephardic Jews, who settled here in 1492, when escaping the Spanish Inquisition.
Whatever the reason, the Blue Pearl – also sometimes called the Charming Bride - is a tourism magnet and has been voted the most Instagrammable city in Morocco. The joy of visiting lies in strolling the alleys and streets, watching the hues shift according to the level of natural light and spotting details, such as mosaics, that add even extra-special touches.
This is a city where citrus trees grow in quiet courtyards, where fountains tinkle and where local produce can be purchased from farmers markets. Mint tea can be sipped in cafes around the main square and calories from local specialities such as bissara soup and tagines are quickly walked off by a hike into the Kelaa and Meggou mountains, or through pine, cedar and fir forests, or maybe even during a stroll to the Akchour Waterfalls on the edge of town.
With the Medina and Kasbah presenting dramatic architecture and craft items and carpets aplenty to buy, a visit to this Moroccan ‘blue’ city is well worthwhile. Adrenaline seekers can also engage in seaports and white water rafting locally but do just check that your travel insurance will cover such activities, before you participate in them.
Breathing in the Blue City of India, Jodhpur
The second-largest city in Rajasthan, India, has been established since 1459 and was once an east-meets-west trading hub. Nowadays, thousands of azure-coloured buildings extend beyond the original city walls, earning Jodhpur the nickname of the ‘Blue City of India’.
Blue is intrinsically linked to the Hindu God of Lord Shiva, whose blood turned to blue when he sought to save Earth, by drinking poison. This could be one reason why the houses were painted blue here but it could also have been a symbol of status; a tactic adopted by Brahmin priests to denote their place in society.
The same thoughts regarding keeping cool and keeping insects at bay (as well as termites in this case) prevail here. Meanwhile, the least romantic explanation is that, when limestone and copper sulfate combine as building materials, the result is a blue mixture.
You can certainly step back into the days of rich Indian rulers, in a city of palaces and with a fort that towers over the surrounding landscape, from a rocky hill position. You can visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort but also the cultured Mandore Gardens, with their celebration of Hindu Gods and iconic temple, and the lakeside Jaswant Thada, a glorious marble building, also known as the Taj Mahal of Mewar.
Alternatively, head to the Ghanta Ghar Clock Tower and the bustling nearby street market, brimming over with handicrafts and other items.
There is the man-made Kallana Lake and exotic plants to explore in the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, in the foothills of Mehrangarh Fort.
Whatever you choose to do in Jodhpur, make sure you have had the right travel vaccinations recommended for India and this region and also have a travel insurance policy packed and at hand. Travel cover is essential.
Visiting Júzcar, Spain
Perhaps the most unusual blue town is that of Júzcar in Andalucia, Spain, as this was most definitely not created to keep mosquitoes at bay, or to deflect the heat, but to celebrate the imaginary blue creatures known as Smurfs.
The decision to turn things blue was taken in 2011 when 225 people made a deal with Sony, who had selected Júzcar as a setting for the premiere of the movie, The Smurfs 3D, because of its connection with Smurfs’ much-loved mushrooms. Once the promotion ended, the town was meant to revert to its former white but the townspeople recognised an opportunity, so still thrill the thousands who head here in homage to the Smurfs each year, by keeping their properties a lovely shade of Smurf blue.
Júzcar has long been a base for hiking, climbing and ravining holidays, and there is also a zip wire to enjoy. However, if you wish to indulge in these, you must check your travel insurance’s terms with regard to activities.
Local attractions include the 16th century church, the ruins of a former tinplate factory and the Cave of the Moors and things to tempt the purse are espadrilles and craft items formed from straw and cork.
Head to this particular blue town and you will find yourself just a 30-minute drive from Ronda, dominated by the dramatic ‘Puente Nuevo’ bridge built across a 120m (390ft) canyon over a 34-year period. This 1759 structure offers a breathtaking view but is equally photogenic if photographed from below.
Other travel advice, tips and suggestions
Of course, these are not the only ‘blue’ places to visit in the world and you could, just as easily, head to Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia, to join the thousands of tourists who snap selfies in front of the bright blue doors and shuttered windows.
Or you might make a beeline for the bright blue Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico and get on the trail of one of the world’s most colourful artists.
However you decide to bust the winter blues and escape Blue Monday depression, just make sure you do not pile on any more woe by suffering an incident overseas that you cannot afford to deal with, or which could leave you greatly inconvenienced or out of pocket. Travel insurance exists to help you avoid such situations and to help you cope with all that falling ill abroad can throw at you and your family or travelling companions.
Also, do not beat the blues by booking a trip unless you simultaneously get your travel insurance cover in place, so that you have cancellation protection in place from the word go and cover off eventualities that might cause you to have to cancel your plans.
To find the travel cover that can help you explore the ‘blues’, whilst keeping you out of dark places should things take a turn for the worse, head to https://www.europesuretravelinsurance.com
