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Happiest places in the world

Good vibes only – discover the happiest places in the world.
Whether your idea of happiness is discovering somewhere new, spending time with your family, or kicking back on the beach – cocktail in hand – we reckon that being happy is what holidays are all about. And these cheerful holiday hotspots are ahead of the game. You might not be able to visit them right now, but from ever-friendly Thailand to sun-flooded Malta, we’ve put together a list of our top picks of the happiest countries in the world, so you can keep dreaming about your next happy holiday... 

PEOPLE-PLEASER ICELAND

Now, we’re not the only ones wondering where in the world tops the bill when it comes to happiness. Each year, a UN-commissioned World Happiness Report is released, which measures lots of different happiness-helping features, like average income and health. Iceland has ranked within the report’s top five happiest countries since 2012.

And it's no wonder, considering how many amazing sights this country packs into its borders. It’s full to the brim with eye-widening natural sights, like the elusive Northern Lights, dramatic black-sand beaches edged with towering waves, and waterfalls said to rival Niagara Falls.

‘THE LAND OF SMILES’ THAILAND

Ever since Thailand started to build its reputation as a top getaway destination, it’s earned a pretty telling nickname. Thanks to its super-friendly locals, tourists have dubbed the country ‘The Land of Smiles’. We think that Thailand’s bustling cities and sand-blanketed beaches give holidaymakers plenty to smile about, too. Up-and-comer Krabi lines up150 kilometres of top-drawer coastline. Or, there's the deserted islands that make up Ko Phi Phi’s National Marine Park.

SUN-SOAKED MALTA

Lots of studies have looked into why we feel happier when we get more sunshine. Some scientists suggest that it’s all down to vitamin D, others that the sun helps us release more mood-lifting chemicals, like endorphins and serotonin. All we know is that we definitely feel more cheerful when we’ve had a sunbathe. Compared to the rest of Europe, Malta's capital takes first place when it comes to average sunshine hours. Valletta racks up an impressive total of almost 3,000 hours each year.
Picked your happy holiday destination?

Take a look at our best deals for some more inspiration.

Or, find out why 14-night getaways are guaranteed to make you even cheerier.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles. 


Author: Hannah Stratton

Published: 28.03.2018

Holiday Type

Destination

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