This is the story of how a bit of color turned an Indonesian slum into an Instagram sensation that can benefit locals…

The idea

Kampung Pelangi, now known as ‘Rainbow Village’, is located in Semarang, in Central Java, Indonesia – 300 miles (480 km) east of the capital, Jakarta. It was an ordinary low-income village until April this year, when a high-school principal, Slamet Widodo, came up with the idea to paint its houses, benches and bridges in different bright colors in an effort to attract more tourists to the area and improve the economic situation in his community. This plan followed the example of other Indonesian villages that have undergone similar colorful changes, including Kampung Warna Warni and Kampung Tridi.

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The makeover

The local council decided to give 300 million Indonesian rupiah (around $22,000) to turn Widodo’s idea into a reality. In a month the 223 houses in the suburb were each painted with at least three different, bright colors. The Indonesian Builders Association in Semarang provided paint and workers for the refurbishment, while the residents themselves took part in the painting process, as did the mayor of Semarang.

Instagram tourism

After the news of the village’s colorful new appearance spread across the internet, it began to fill with tourists searching for some positive vibes in their day and that perfect Instagram shot. And since the makeover was made for that purpose, it is no surprise that Instagrammable murals can be found around every corner. About 7000 posts with the hashtag #kampungpelangi already exist and the number is growing every day. Among the most famous wall pieces are backdrops for people to pose with butterfly and angel wings, mystical creatures, balloons, umbrellas and even Kung Fu Panda himself.

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The pay-off

Residents are already feeling the positive economic effects that the new tourist attraction has had on their lives, increasing their income through markets for tours, souvenirs and street food. The village is now cleaner and more dynamic than ever – in fact, further plans for the project include removing waste from the local river.

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Why do I say “unique”?

The village of Giethoorn is located in the province of Overijssel, in the municipality of Steenwijkerland (I know, I can’t pronounce those either). But those tongue-twisting names don’t make it unique – the fact that there are practically no roads and people use boats as their main means of transport, on the other hand, does.

That is also the reason why it is often called “Venice of the Netherlands”, with the difference that instead of Venetian Gothic buildings, you can enjoy views of thatch-roofed farm houses and over 180 rustic wooden bridges – sounds a bit like a fairy tale, doesn’t it?

Dinghy, canoe or punt boat?

It is possible to rent the kind of boat that most appeals to you, with day rates around 30-50€.

And if you don’t feel comfortable grabbing the paddles with your own hands, you can always join a guided boat tour for less than 10€.

Another option to help you sail your way around the canals is to rent an inflatable ball, allowing you to ‘walk on water’ – though it is not exactly sailing, it sure is a fun way to get around.

Enough with the water, but not enough with Giethoorn

Though boating is the main tourist attraction in the town, it is not the only way to spend some quality time.

Bearing in mind that this is, after all, a Dutch town, you can be sure that the bike scene won’t disappoint you. There are, of course, many opportunities to rent a bike or join a bike tour to explore the town and the picturesque Dutch countryside.

And if you prefer good old walking, set out on the 15-km Giethoorn Walking Route, which will lead you to another nearby water village – Dwarsgracht.

You can also easily reach several museums, including “ ‘t Olde Maat Uus”, which is actually a typical farm where you can see how life in Giethoorn has changed over the past 100 years. There’s also the stone and minerals museum called “The old Earth”, and “The Histomobil”, which displays a great collection of old cars and motorcycles.

And if you believe that trying the local food is a must for every trip, worry not – there are more than enough restaurants here. You can sample a dish that is even harder to pronounce than the name of a Dutch city!

Interesting facts:

• When the first inhabitants of the town first arrived, they found thousands of horns of wild goats who had died in a flood. That is the story of  how the town got its name, which literally translates as “goat horn”.
• The town was the set of a famous 1958 Dutch comedy: Fanfare. Watch the black-and-white movie masterpiece for some more Dutch vibes.

 Not so interesting, but helpful facts:

• To get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by train takes about 2 hours. From Amsterdam Central Station you take the train to Steenwijk station (the fare costs about 20€). From Steenwik station take bus 70 to the center of Giethoorn (there are buses every hour from 6.25 to 18.25 Monday-Friday; from 8.51 to 18.51 on Saturday and from 9.26 to 18.26 on Sunday).
• You can check the train timetables on this site.
• You can find an organized day trip from Amsterdam for about 100€.
• Arrive as early as possible, especially during the high season, to be sure that you can find a free boat to rent.

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It’s as if time in the Bulgarian village of Kovachevitsa stopped more than a century ago.

The village keeps the spirit of the olden days, when its cobbled streets were filled with energy and life. Stone houses several floors high hang over the narrow streets, their distinctive roofs made of flat stones. Inside, the houses have a fireplace, pantries and furnaces, which are still used for their intended purpose. The best part is that the guesthouses in Kovachevitsa keep this same olden-day atmosphere and accept guests throughout the whole year.

Kovachevitsa (Ковачевица) is an authentic historical and architectural reserve recognized as a cultural monument by UNESCO in 1977. Tourists from all over the world come here to immerse themselves for at least a night in the beauty of the colorful kitenik (a traditional wool rug or blanket) and hand-woven rugs. They say that once you wake up in Kovachevitsa and hear the chime of the church bell, your heart remains forever bewitched.

Kovachevitsa village, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

What you will see

Check out the renovated antique school of Yordje Dimitrov, peer into the church of St Nicholas (Sveti Nikola), or simply roam aimlessly through the small, enchanting streets. Try the trail marked with yellow and white from Kovachevitsa through the Kanina River canyon (the Bloody River) to the nearby village of Osikovo (Осиково) and see Siniya Vir (the Blue Pool), a pool with blue-green clear water which is only an hour away by foot.

The White House

The cozy hotel complex of Byalata Kashta (the White House) is built in the style of the local architecture, with spacious rooms and an incredible view from the meadow in front of the house. Try the traditional culinary specialties in the tavern. All food prepared in the complex uses products from the region. Evenings spent in front of the fireplace in the cozy tavern will stay deep in your heart forever.

Contact details: www.bialatakushta.com, bialata_kushta@abv.bg,+359 899 886 342.

What else:

Visit also the historical museum in Gotse Delchev as well as the picturesque villages of Leshten, Dolen, Ribnovo and Delchevo, which are in the region. If you are dreaming of unwinding at a spa, only 15 km from Kovachevitsa is the village of Ognyanovo, famous for its hot healing mineral springs.

Kovachevitsa village, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

Useful information:

Kovachevitsa is in the southwestern part of the Rhodope Mountains, 24 km from the town of Gotse Delchev, 230 km from Sofia and 140 km from Plovdiv. Trains and buses to the village do not run. Rent a car to be independent and explore more of the region.

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