Have grand plans to start the new year with a burst of optimistic energy? Let ‘Viva Magenta’, Pantone’s Colour Of The Year for 2023, energise you for the year ahead — and even guide you to some incredible destinations around the world.

Viva Magenta is said to signify courage, strength and power, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint. Rooted in nature, the sight of this audacious hybrid shade of crimson, purple and pink brings vibrancy and excitement to anyone who views it.

Luxury travel operator Scott Dunn is well-versed in finding stunning locations around the world — and planning for exceptional journeys. Below, discover Scott Dunn’s top picks for where you can discover the incredible shade of Viva Magenta and more on your next adventure. 

Adventure through Mexico’s Ancient Yucatan Peninsula

Yucatan is known for its tropical rainforests and jungles, and for being home to the ancient Mayan people. These highlights come together in Scott Dunn’s paired tour of the Yucatan and Riviera Maya. Guests will be given insider access to famed archeological sites like the Chichen Itza, accessing areas of ancient Mayan structures and viewing remarkable restoration areas that are not open to the general public.

In the Yucatan Peninsula, guests will also discover the incredible pink lakes of Las Coloradas. Located at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, these lakes are an incredible, ethereal sight of brightly-coloured waters spanning across a dreamlike landscape.

Scott Dunn’s travel guides can also arrange for a unique way to experience the region: Visit another of Yucatan’s cenotes in a spectacular private horseback tour. Follow the traces of ancient narrow-gauge railroad tracks that covered Yucatan to reach Kankirixche cenote, where you can take a refreshing bath, or snorkel in its clear waters.

Witness a Brilliant Display of Birdlife in Kenya

Kenya, the iconic heartland of safari, is home to big cats, endangered rhinoceros and rare species of zebras. With its great plains and vast wildlife, magenta seems like an unlikely colour to encounter. But at Kenya’s very own Lake Nakuru, the most brilliant show of birdlife occurs as thousands of flamingos gather and the intense sea of fuchsia and magenta plumage contrasts against the deep blue alkaline waters. The flamingos feed on the abundant algae thriving in the warmth of the lake. Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to a whole array of wildlife including white rhinos, lions, giraffes, impalas and more.

With just nine rooms, Loldia House, one of Kenya’s oldest colonial farms, is situated on the lush green shores of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. For proximity to Lake Nakuru, Loldia House is an excellent base: There, you get to observe The Great Migration of wildebeests in search of grazing, learn about the life of the Samburu tribe and have breakfast with giraffes.

Discover Monumental Natural Sculptures in Arizona 

America’s Southwest is a region of extraordinary landscapes, stunning national parks, Native American history, and Wild West folklore. In Arizona, discover Lake Powell’s magnificent Antelope Canyon — so named for the herds of pronghorn antelope that once roamed the area. 

At midday from March through October, the position of the sun creates light shafts that reach the canyon floor and illuminates the pink, red, orange and gold patterns on the canyon walls. Winter colours are more muted but no less spectacular. There are two parts to this monumental natural sculpture: the Upper Antelope Canyon which is easier to hike, and the Lower Antelope Canyon which attracts the more adventurous, requiring hikers to manoeuvre through stairways and ladders to get into the canyon. You may take a captained boat tour on Lake Powell, and get the opportunity to visit some of the unique slot canyons the area is famous for as well. 

For more incredible displays of nature, Scott Dunn’s travel experts can organise a full day guided tour that brings you to Arches National Park. Alternatively, kayak along the Lower Salt River for a beautiful view of the surrounding land. 

Bask in the Serene Majesty of Kyoto

Come Autumn, discover the serene majesty of Kyoto, which promises a hallowed ensemble of gardens, shrines and temples, made all the more stunning by the autumn foliage in shades of magenta, red and gold. As the cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto’s temples number in the thousands. One of them is Daigoji Temple, a Shingon Buddhist temple with over 1,100 years of history and a designated world heritage site. The grounds include several buildings and an expansive Japanese garden. Savour a scrumptious dinner with seasonal and local ingredients as you indulge in a magnificent view of dramatic fall foliage and the temple grounds illuminated in the dark.

Warm autumn colours are one of the highlights of Kyoto during the year-end season, but the city offers much more than that. In Scott Dunn’s curated Ultimate Japan itinerary, guests will be taken through some of Japan’s most spectacular regions, including Kyoto — Scott Dunn’s experts are familiar with all the best dining spots and locations, many privy only to locals, and can put together a wonderfully intimate itinerary for guests to experience the traditional Japanese way of life — these experiences include taking a traditional tea ceremony at one of Kyoto’s traditional wooden townhouses, the Flower Teahouse, to experience the meditative, centuries-old art of a Japanese tea ceremony.

Be Amazed by Australia’s Magenta-Coloured Lakes

Australia is known for its blue pacific waters for surfing and the colourful Great Barrier Reefs, one of the most complex ecosystems in the world. Unbeknownst to many, the island continent also possesses wondrous pink lakes. 

In Western Australia, the country’s largest state, lies the iconic Lake Hillier, Pink Lake and Hutt Lagoon. The Viva Magenta colouring of the water is often caused by the presence of salt-tolerant algae that produces carotenoids, usually in conjunction with specific bacteria, which may vary from lake to lake. While there, Scott Dunn’s seasoned experts can help to plan an adventure of a lifetime: There, you can take selfies with furry quokkas, hit the waves, swim with whale sharks, and snorkel through crystal clear waters. 

One such exhilarating itinerary that the Scott Dunn team can help to plan is the Exceptional Western Australia tour. You’ll get the chance to stay in luxurious homesteads by the beautiful Chamberlain River, offering a million acres of breathtaking, untouched scenery — there, head out on horseback to delve into the bush and spot rarely-seen wildlife like bustard birds, frill-necked lizards, and brolgas cranes.

So, wait no more & start planning your trip for an optimistic start to the new year!