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CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO Heralded as the most Instagrammable city in Morocco, Chefchaouen will definitely be at the top of many travelers bucket lists in 2020. Walking amongst "The Blue Pearl" is likened to something out of a fairytale—carved into the side of Morocco's Rif Mountains, you're suddenly surrounded by varying shades of cyan, cobalt, periwinkle and powdery blues that shift depending on the time of day. Cobbled pathways are met with narrow alleys, terracotta-tiled houses, steep staircases and brightly-colored flower pots appear like ornaments. The reasoning behind the all-blue scheme remains up for debate. More popular anecdotes say Jewish refugees painted the city for religious purposes. A less spiritual theory suggests that blue acts as a natural repellent against mosquitoes, a longtime blight of the village. 3 CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Known for its beaches, rainforests and storied past headlined by Pablo Escobar— Colombia remains one of South America's best-kept secrets. While Cartagena boasts a more cosmopolitan vibe, it's one of the prettiest (and photogenic) places one can visit while in the country. The weathered walls of Spanish colonial-style buildings are awash with mismatched colors and balconied houses sport vividly-painted front doors. This includes ancient palaces, churches and mansions that have been preserved from as early as the 1600s. It's a true work of art in and of itself, and one of the few places where the lively aesthetic matches the vibrant atmosphere, oftentimes compared to cities like New Orleans or San Juan, Puerto Rico. V U E N J . C O M 133

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