A stunning seaside village is so vibrant and colourful that it could provide people with a genuine mood boost. As the evenings grow darker and daylight becomes increasingly scarce, maintaining a positive outlook becomes essential. While some turn to vitamin D supplements or light therapy lamps to combat seasonal gloom, there may be another solution.
Karen Haller, who specialises in applied colour psychology, suggests travellers can enhance their wellbeing through another method. She maintains that spending time in bright, colourful environments delivers a subconscious lift to one’s spirits.
“There’s something about stepping into a place full of colour that instantly lifts you. It changes how you feel, how you move through the space, and even how you connect with others. That’s why colour-filled destinations are becoming more popular. We’re drawn to them not just because they look good, but because they leave us feeling better. Happier. More open. More alive. It’s something I do myself, seeking out places where colour isn’t just seen, it’s felt. And those are the experiences that stay with you,” Karen said.
Collaborating with Staysure, a medical travel insurance provider, Karen assisted in compiling a list of 26 international locations renowned for their exceptional colour saturation, vibrancy and diverse hues.
Featured prominently is Portmeirion, the picturesque Welsh coastal village. The Gwynedd architectural marvel celebrated its centenary last year and has continued to captivate residents and tourists since Sir Clough Williams-Ellis laid the inaugural brick of this baroque gem.
Situated along the Irish Sea in north-west Wales, Portmeirion might not immediately spring to mind as a destination for lifting winter spirits. Yet, the village’s eclectic assemblage of 96 structures, encompassing cottages, a clock tower, accommodation and a town hall, is adorned with vibrant colours and distributed across the slopes in an unmistakably cheerful fashion.
Sir Clough acknowledged drawing inspiration for Portmeirion from Portofino, the Italian coastal town. Strolling through the village, especially during sunny weather, creates the impression of having passed through a Welsh gateway into the Mediterranean.
Portmeirion’s origins trace back to the Aber Iâ estate, where the deteriorating Castell Deudraeth was documented as far back as 1188. Victorian occupants subsequently introduced exotic flora, and when Sir Clough purchased the property, it had transformed into what he described as a “neglected wilderness”. The picturesque village of Portmeirion, named ‘Port’ for its coastal location and ‘Meirion’ after the historic county of Merioneth, was built in two stages: the first from 1926 to 1939, and the second from 1954 to 1976. The charming village is a patchwork of old buildings, with the town hall boasting a roof from an old country house, purchased at auction for a mere £13.
If you’re looking for a winter pick-me-up, consider a visit to Portmeirion. Managed by a charitable trust, the village welcomes visitors between 9.30am and 5.30pm. The closest train station is Minffordd, just a mile’s walk from the village, or approximately 15 minutes on foot. Minffordd Station is conveniently located on the Cambrian line, served by Transport for Wales, connecting Shrewsbury to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth.
