Thinking of booking your next trip this Blue Monday?
Today is known as Blue Monday and is said to be the most miserable day of the entire year.
There is some debate over the science behind Blue Monday, but many people do suffer the January blues with Christmas well and truly over and a lot of New Year resolutions already fallen by the wayside.
Add in the cold and dark weather and it is little wonder that a Monday in the middle of January has been referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’.
So, we say it’s time to stop this myth about Monday’s being the worst day of the week and instead treat you to some holiday destinations to get you in the mood for some sun, sea and sand.
January is traditionally the time when many people start to think about getting away with their family and friends in the summer.
All of the big travel firms have been busy promoting deals and destinations – at ATOL we launched our own campaign encouraging people to do the ‘booking boogie’ when they have organised their next overseas trip.
If you are dreaming of blue skies and waters for your next overseas package holiday, make sure your trip is financially protected by the ATOL scheme, and look out for hidden costs and charges, for example if you want to amend the booking before travelling or need to pay for extra baggage.
We also recommend people shop around to make sure they are getting a good deal before they book, pay on a credit card which may offer extra protection, and consider travel insurance.
Here are some blue-tastic holiday destination suggestions for you to get your booking boogie on:
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
A short drive away from the capital Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous natural spas in the world.
Set in a dramatic volcanic landscape, it is a pool of geothermally heated water, which it said to have healing powers and be good for the skin. The lagoon is actually man-made and is the by-product of a nearby power plant.
There are three active ingredients in the water; silica, algae, and minerals – with the silica giving the water its blue hue.
People walk quickly to get from the changing room to the pool in the Icelandair cold, but once you are in the water which can be 30 degrees or more, you won’t want to get out.
Visitors can also enjoy treatments and massages and dine on Modern Nordic cuisine at a choice of restaurants. The Blue Lagoon only has limited capacity, so be sure to book in advance.
Júzcar, Spain
Nicknamed the ‘Smurf Village’ Júzcar is a small village in the Andalusian mountains.
Once the village had traditional white houses in keeping with the area, but in an unusual publicity stunt they were painted bright blue to promote the release of The Smurfs movie in 2011.
It was planned that Sony Espana would return the homes to their original white when the contract ended, but after seeing an uptick in tourism, residents actually voted to keep Júzcar blue.
Visitors to the village are also able to enjoy Smurf murals, statues and giant mushrooms.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is one of the most beautiful Greek islands, with its famous white-washed and blue domed homes and churches perched dramatically on the cliff tops.
Originally this volcanic island’s buildings were painted blue and white to reflect the Greek national flag, but now they have become an iconic tourist attraction.
Santorini is also known for its luxury hotels and villas, as well as traditional villages, Mediterranean cuisine and wines, beautiful beaches and dazzling sunsets.
The picturesque town of Oia is celebrated as the perfect place to enjoy the sun setting on the azure Aegean sea.
The island is also considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world and for many lucky couples it is a dream honeymoon and wedding location.
Jodhpur, India
Further afield, Jodhpur is known as “The Blue City” as many houses and buildings in the old quarters of the city are painted in a distinctive light blue colour.
No-one is sure of the exact reason why, but second largest city in the state of Rajasthan is a top tourist draw with plenty to see and do.
The majestic Mehrangarh Fort and the Umaid Bhawan Palace are some of the most stunning architectural sights in all of India and are must-sees when visiting the city.
We could have chosen many other amazing places around the world such as the Marble Cathedral in Chile, Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque and Croatia’s Blue Grotto.
Let us know your favourite blue-themed holiday destinations – better still, send us a photo on our social media channels.
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