🎨 Mocha Mousse Moments: Morocco, New Mexico, Chile, and Italy
- Sydney Schellinger
- Apr 20, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 1, 2025
When Pantone announced Mocha Mousse as the 2025 Color of the Year, I definitely didn’t expect to get inspired to plan a trip... and yet here we are.
This soft, warm neutral might not scream “book a flight!” but it’s giving all the cozy, grounded, sun-washed vibes I love in travel. Think: camel rides at sunset, adobe cities glowing in golden hour, cave hotels carved into honey-colored cliffs. You get the idea.
So here are four dreamy, earth-toned destinations that take Mocha Mousse from meh to must-go.
🐫 Morocco | The Sahara Desert
The vibe: golden dunes, deep spice tones, Berber charm
If you’ve ever dreamed of riding a camel into the sunset and sleeping under the stars in the desert—this is the spot. The colors here? Straight out of a Mocha Mousse mood board. Cinnamon sand, burnt orange kasbahs, and skies that go from peach to indigo in minutes.
Best time to go: October through April—cooler weather, fewer sandstorms, and perfect for desert glamping.
How to do it: Start in Marrakech, then head east toward Merzouga. I always book my clients into luxury camps with real beds, private bathrooms, and candlelit dinners. It’s not roughing it—it’s romantic AF.
Why I love it: It’s sensory overload in the best way. The silence of the dunes, the colors, the culture—it sticks with you long after you get home.
🌄 New Mexico | Santa Fe
The vibe: adobe glow, mountain air, laid-back charm
Santa Fe is a whole mood. It’s cozy, artistic, and full of warm neutrals—like if Mocha Mousse moved into a pueblo. Walk through the Plaza, pop into art galleries, and grab a wine flight with a view of the desert.
Best time to go: September to November is peak golden hour magic. Or go in winter for a snow-dusted adobe wonderland.
How to do it: Stay near the Plaza, take a cooking class (trust me), and don’t skip the spa at Ten Thousand Waves. Also—green chile everything.
Why I love it: It feels like a deep breath. It’s easy, grounding, and beautiful without trying too hard.
🔥 Chile | The Atacama Desert
The vibe: Mars, but make it mineral-chic
This place looks like another planet—but in the “I can’t believe this is real” kind of way. Rust-colored cliffs, salt flats, geysers, and skies so clear you can see the Milky Way with your bare eyes.
Best time to go: March to May or September to November—less heat, more stars, fewer crowds.
How to do it: Base in San Pedro de Atacama and explore from there. Think hot springs, volcano views, and a stargazing night with an actual astronomer.
Why I love it: It’s remote in the most luxe way. Ideal for travelers who want something wild but still want a beautiful room and a glass of wine at the end of the day.
🏛 Italy | Matera
The vibe: old stone, soft light, slow mornings
Matera is like stepping into a sunlit film set. Everything is carved into the cliffs, and the city just glows in the morning and late afternoon. It’s rustic, romantic, and way less touristy than other Italian hotspots.
Best time to go: Spring or fall—when it’s not blazing hot and the alleyways aren’t packed.
How to do it: Stay in a cave hotel (yes, it’s luxe), wander the Sassi districts, and linger over wine on a terrace. It’s also an easy add-on to a Puglia trip.
Why I love it: It's still a hidden gem. If you like quiet luxury, food, and places with a story—Matera is for you.
Final Thought
Mocha Mousse might not look exciting on a paint chip, but it feels like slow travel, golden light, and grounded beauty. These destinations? Total main character energy in the softest, sunniest way.
Ready to match your next trip to this warm, earthy mood?
Mocha Mousse Travel Moments - FAQ
1. What inspired this blog about Mocha Mousse and travel?
When Pantone named Mocha Mousse the 2025 Color of the Year, it instantly brought to mind travel memories filled with golden light, warm adobe textures, and earthy elegance. Think cliffside towns, sun-washed deserts, and cozy corners of the world that feel like a deep exhale. It wasn't just a color—it was a mood. And The Poodle Booked It is all about chasing beautiful moods around the globe.
2. Why are these destinations connected to Mocha Mousse?
Each spot—Morocco’s Sahara, Santa Fe, the Atacama Desert, and Matera—shares a soft, grounded color palette that evokes calm and connection. They’re all places that feel as warm and welcoming as the color looks. We’re talking sun-drenched adobe, rusted canyons, stone cities, and moments that slow you down in the best way.
3. Are these places good for luxury travel?
Yes, but not in the obvious, flashy way. These are for travelers who crave quiet luxury: candlelit desert camps, spa retreats in the mountains, boutique cave hotels. It’s about experiences that feel exclusive without being over-the-top. The Poodle Booked It loves to plan that kind of trip—intentional, stylish, and just the right amount of extra.
4. What’s the best time of year to visit these destinations?
Each destination has its golden window:
Sahara Desert, Morocco – October to April (cooler weather and dreamy desert skies)
Santa Fe, New Mexico – Fall or winter (hello, cozy adobe and green chile everything)
Atacama Desert, Chile – Spring or fall (less heat, more stars)
Matera, Italy – Spring and fall (sunlight, fewer crowds, all the charm)
5. Can The Poodle Booked It help plan a Mocha Mousse-inspired itinerary?
Absolutely. Whether you want to stargaze in Chile or sip wine in a stone courtyard in Italy, we’ll build a trip that’s full of earthy tones and elevated moments. We specialize in designing travel that feels good, not just looks good on the ‘gram (though let’s be honest, it’ll look amazing there too).
6. How do I bring this “Mocha Mousse” vibe into my next vacation?
Go for experiences that are grounded and intentional. Choose places with history, natural beauty, and timeless architecture. Think: riding a camel under rose-colored skies, soaking in a thermal spa with a mountain view, or staying in a cave-turned-boutique-hotel. Add a little texture, a little warmth, and a lot of soul.
7. Why is this kind of travel trending right now?
After years of fast travel and crowded hotspots, more people are leaning into destinations that feel restorative. It’s less about checking boxes and more about connecting—with culture, with nature, with slower rhythms. Earthy colors like Mocha Mousse mirror that shift: softer, deeper, more intentional. And The Poodle Booked It is all about that kind of travel.
8. Where can I see more moodboard-inspired travel ideas?
Right here on The Poodle Booked It blog. We don’t just plan trips—we curate vibes. From color palette getaways to cultural deep-dives, every destination starts with a feeling. Follow along and get inspired (warning: you may start planning your next trip mid-scroll).
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