"An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energises and enlivens with a softer edge" is how Pantone, the self-proclaimed international authority on all things colour, describe the shade Living Coral - their pick for 2019's colour of the year.
Every year, the colour experts at the Pantone Colour Institute carefully observe worldwide trends in a multitude of areas such as entertainment, fashion, art and even social media, in order to determine that one, unique shade that is set to encapsulate the mood of the coming year. And while invariably this becomes somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy, as artists, designers and brands alike rush to feature the hot new shade in their upcoming collections, there is no denying that we will be seeing a lot more of this warm, peachy hue over the next few months.
Marrying the playfulness, warmth and energy of orange with the allure, softness and charm of pink, Living Coral is a nod to the beauty of the natural world, conjuring up heartening images of romantic sunsets, endlessly undulating deserts, painted pink houses in the warm dusk light, and deep turquoise oceans filled with vibrant coral. Pantone claims that in order to settle upon this summery terracotta hue, their experts have "combed the world looking for new influences", which got us here at Rail Discoveries thinking - where exactly can this shade be found around the world? Here are three of our favourite travel destinations from around the world which encapsulate the vibrancy and energy of Pantone's "Living Coral".
Jaipur, India
India is undoubtedly one of the world's most colourful destinations, offering a veritable kaleidoscope of ever-changing hues. Here, colour represents more than simple aesthetics, with each shade holding a different important cultural, religious or spiritual meaning. Traditionally, the shade pink is associated with hospitality in India, which is why, in order to welcome the Prince of Wales to Jaipur during his 1876 royal tour of India, the reigning Maharaja, Sawai Ram Singh, ordered the entire city to be repainted in a welcoming terracotta hue - earning the city its famous epithet, the "Pink City."
Today, the buildings within the historic walls of Jaipur's centre are still tinted in this cheerful colour, largely due to a law passed in 1877 which declared it illegal to paint a building in any other shade, which remains abided by to this day. One of the most beautiful examples of a coral-hued structure in Jaipur is the majestic Hawa Mahal, commonly known as the Palace of Winds. The opulent building, which dates back to 1799, boasts a distinctive orange-pink facade with hundreds of intricately latticed windows, designed to allow the ladies of the royal household to look out over the streets below without being seen by the public.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Comprising of five individual villages on the Riviera di Levante - Vernazza, Monterosso, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, Italy's idyllic "Cinque Terre" is a breathtaking national park and renowned UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, quaint and colourful pastel villages cling to the rugged coastline, bordered on one side by the lush landscapes of the Italian Riviera, and on the other, the sparkling azure waters of the Mediterranean ocean.
The five villages have been largely unaffected by modernisation and instead hark back to a bygone era of tradition and charm. The narrow, winding streets are lined with whimsical houses, painted in varying pastel shades - notably coral-hued pinks, reds and oranges - which come together to give a lovely, warm-toned rosy appearance that epitomises the optimism and joy elicited by Pantone's Living Coral. With the charms of the Cinque Terre also including delectable local-caught fresh seafood, fascinating ancient landmarks, verdant clifftop vineyards and a plethora of fine shops, cafes and restaurants, this is certainely a must-visit destination for 2019.
Moscow, Russia
With the largest population of any city in Europe, Moscow is a thriving and complex metropolis, offering a immense amount of excellent cultural heritage. The city has played a pivotal role in the political and industrial history of Russia since the 13th century, and today its visitors are met with a wealth of captivating history, culture and architecture.
The Red Square - found in the very heart of the city - is perhaps the jewel in the crown of Moscow and is one of the most well-known images of Russia around the globe. Here, amongst the cobblestones and grand historic structures, stands the famous coral-hued St. Basil's Cathedral, an iconic and enduring landmark. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, St. Basil's Cathedral dates back as far as 1561 and is an instantly recognisable feature of the city's skyline. Its beautiful and intricate brickwork, colourful, onion-shaped domes and vibrant rosy coral shade come together to create what is quite simply one of the most exquisite architectural wonders found anywhere in the world.
