From the scents of street food in Thailand to the stunning hues of the northern lights in the cold Alaska sky, traveling is something to be enjoyed with all the senses. If you want to treat your eyes, why not visit some of the most colorful spots in the world?
Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
Less than three hours from the bustling streets of Tokyo, you'll find Ibaraki's Hitachi Seaside Park. At nearly 865 acres, this stunning park is known for its enormous fields of flowers. Throughout April and May, the park's Miharashi Hill turns a vivid sky blue as hundreds of nemophila flowers bloom along its slopes. Other areas of the park showcase tulips and narcissus flowers in equally vivid hues.
If you visit in autumn, you'll see fewer flowers but plenty of lovely red kokia bushes — and no matter what time of year you visit, you can enjoy plenty of hiking and cycling trails.
Marble Caves, Chile
Located in Patagonia, the Cuevas de Mármol showcase a particularly incredible trick of nature: they change color. The combination of sunlight and water create a striking effect that leads the cavern walls to shift in hue. Depending on the time of year, you might find yourself surrounded by cool greens, rich blues, or a bright turquoise.
True to their name, the Marble Caves are shaped from solid marble. The caverns were formed over 6,000 years, as the General Carrera Lake slowly wore away at the stone. They're fairly remote and can only be accessed by boat — but if you find yourself in the area, these caves are well worth a trip.
Provence, France
If you love relaxing with the gentle scent of lavender, a visit to southern France's Provence region is definitely in order. The area as a whole is known for its rolling fields of lavender, which are generally best viewed during June and July. As you travel around the region, there are moments where oceans of lavender stretch out as far as the eye can see — but you can do more than just look at it. Visitors to Provence can enjoy lavender honey and sorbet, celebrate a lavender festival, and even visit Coustellet's Lavender Museum.
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan is a small islet that's connected to the rest of the San Juan area by three bridges. This historic spot is the most visited area of Puerto Rico, and it's easy to see why it's so popular — the sloping cobblestone streets are lined with houses in every vibrant shade imaginable. From most spots on the island you'll also have stunning views of the ocean. No matter where you are, you'll be surrounded by vivid colors everywhere you turn.
When you aren't taking in the stunning views, Old San Juan has plenty of things to do. Take some time to visit 500-year-old forts, explore La Fortaleza palace, or visit one of the island's many museums.
Rio Tinto, Spain
Also known as "Mars on Earth," the Rio Tinto is a river that flows through southwestern Spain. Thousands of years of mining in this region have given the river a distinct red hue, caused largely by the iron deposits that have dissolved in the water throughout the centuries. Although it is striking to look at, this river isn't fit for swimming. In fact, scientists from NASA have performed astrobiology research in the area, as the river's incredibly acidic environment is chemically similar to what may be found on Mars.
Skagit Valley, United States
Every year, Washington State's Skagit Valley holds a tulip festival during the month of April. During this time, millions of tulips bloom in all sorts of vibrant shades, and the festival organizers encourage visitors to take a driving tour of the area to really take in the beauty of this magical event.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Mountains meet the seaside in this colorful cliffside area in the north of Italy. Cinque Terre translates to "five towns," all of which are connected by an ancient system of footpaths. If you visit the villages, you'll find brightly colored houses nestled into the mountains above a bright blue ocean.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore
This Hindu temple is located in Little India, and is an incredibly vivid spot in an already brightly-colored neighborhood. Both its stunning artwork and its bright colors serve to make the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple a feast for the eyes. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore and is dedicated to the goddess Kali. When you've finished paying your respects here, try visiting the Indian Heritage Centre to view some incredible art exhibits from throughout South Asia.
Chamarel, Mauritius
Perhaps one of the world's most unique geographical phenomena, the Seven Colored Earth in Chamarel is sure to mesmerize you. Located in the middle of a lush green landscape, the Seven Colored Earth is an area of sand dunes in hues of yellow, violet, green, red, brown, blue, and purple. The area's Geopark offers an opportunity to visit this spectacular site. When you've finished marveling at the colorful sand dunes, you can explore the local coffee shop, browse through the souvenir store, and even catch a glimpse of the beautiful Chamarel Waterfall.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen — or "blue pearl" — was founded in the late 15th century. Its small cobblestone streets will carry you around a town that is simply overflowing with every possible shade of blue. Walk through the town at dawn for a serene start to your day, or bring out your camera to snap some one-of-a-kind pictures during the golden hour.
While you're walking through this striking blue town, you'll be surrounded by local cats — Chefchaouen is definitely a cat person's paradise. If you have some time and want a break from all the kitties, though, you're in luck — you can go on a stunning waterfall hike just 45 minutes outside of town.