10 Happiest Places In The World (PHOTOS, POLL)

Whether it's gorgeous beaches and natural scenery or spotless cities influenced by various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, this list covers the interests of every mirth-seeking traveler. So if happiness is what you seek, take a look through these magnificent locations and see what they have to offer.

Below are Lonely Planet's picks for the top spots. Adapted from Lonely Planet's "1000 Ultimate Experiences." Read more articles on LonelyPlanet.com.

 

Here's Lonely Planet's list. What are your happiest places?

World's Happiest Places

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Vanuatu

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Many a human’s idea of blissful living involves swinging in a palm-strung hammock while the ocean swooshes gently onto a white-sand beach nearby – so it’s no surprise that the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu was voted top dog in the New Economics Foundation’s Happy Planet Index. The water’s ridiculously blue and teeming with life; the interior’s lush and volcanically rumbling, great for exploring amid the breadfruit trees. But it’s the sense of community that makes this a truly happy place. Extended families congregate regularly for age-old celebrations – in Vanuatu, there’s always a knees-up somewhere. Visit from April/May to October, when temperatures range from 64°F to 82°F. The terrifying Land Diving festival (the original bungee) runs in April/May.

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Many a human’s idea of blissful living involves swinging in a palm-strung hammock while the ocean swooshes gently onto a white-sand beach nearby – so it’s no surprise that the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu was voted top dog in the New Economics Foundation’s Happy Planet Index. The water’s ridiculously blue and teeming with life; the interior’s lush and volcanically rumbling, great for exploring amid the breadfruit trees. But it’s the sense of community that makes this a truly happy place. Extended families congregate regularly for age-old celebrations – in Vanuatu, there’s always a knees-up somewhere.
Visit from April/May to October, when temperatures range from 64°F to 82°F. The terrifying Land Diving festival (the original bungee) runs in April/May.

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Comments

[RageCage]

10:42 AM on 08/02/2010

I'm pretty sure the average person at the Walt Disney World Resort is happier than at least one of the above listed locations. And, yes, it is a destinatio­n. It's about the size of San Francisco.

[agentcikay]

12:12 PM on 07/30/2010

making our way to Montreal ! hopefully living there someday soon;) where is Malaysia on that list by the way :P LOL

[Ahura Mazda]

07:53 PM on 07/28/2010

Yeah, and they should give to Montreal the #1 city with Homeless on the streets... you just have to travel a little bit and compare...­not even New York that is huge can't compete with Montreal..­.

[playon]

03:16 PM on 07/28/2010

What, no Kalamzoo, no Jackson, no Fresno???

[thiagomf]

01:02 PM on 07/28/2010

If constant linguistic and cultural clashing, low wages, high taxes, crumbling infrastruc­ture, corruption­, horrible social/gov­ernment services, piles of snow, and -40C weather, can be considered happiness; then yes, Montreal is definitely one of the happiest places on earth. Seriously?­! Whoever wrote this list has never spent more than a weekend there.

[PedroMTL]

05:18 PM on 07/28/2010

What a remarkable analysis! Objectivit­y and finesse. Certainly from a well educated person who knows how to use the proper words for the rigth things. I am surprised that you did not add that french canadians are ugly and stink to complete your comments.

[Palafox]

10:16 AM on 07/28/2010

Guess what? Location makes little difference if you're miserable inside. "Wherever you go, there you are" sums it up for me.

[AmbleResorts]

09:53 AM on 07/28/2010

This article is similar to a recent poll conducted by Gallup that ranked the happiest places in the world. For daily experience­, Panama ranked the highest in the world! Find out more on the poll results here: http://isl­apalenque.­com/blog/2­010/07/pan­ama-happy/

[Coydog34]

09:12 AM on 07/28/2010

My 10 Happiest Places in The World

1. In the backyard w/ beer
2. on my couch w/ beer
3. At a sporting event w/ beer
4. At a festival w/ beer
5. In a bar w/ beer
6. At a concert w/ beer
7. At a wedding (other than my own) w/ beer
8. At my computer w/ beer
9. At a beer tent w/ beer
10. Fishing on a lake w/ beer

[ZanScott49]

01:41 AM on 07/29/2010

Honey? Is that you?

[shutterbabe]

10:41 AM on 08/01/2010

Darling, I'll be home soon.

[bothpartiesareworthless]

09:09 AM on 07/28/2010

Detroit didn't make the list?

[MDliberty]

08:25 AM on 07/28/2010

Most American would not be happy at these places after living in America, because they would think they would oppressed by their government­.

[Nunyabiz1]

09:48 AM on 07/28/2010

That doesn't hold true for Canada, Japan and Czech Republic however

[Nick Sutherby]

04:47 PM on 07/28/2010

...or Vanuatu or Bhutan or Columbia or Andorra or Denmark.

[StAlphonso]

08:02 AM on 07/28/2010

What gives? How about the Mons Venus in Tampa?

[niceguysneverfinish]

07:48 AM on 07/28/2010

Places? Disneyland in California is a place, it's much happier than all those places up there put together.

Expensive though.

[dems08]

09:52 AM on 07/28/2010

disneyland is not a real place

[Big Blackmore]

07:13 AM on 07/28/2010

amazing places

[AngusC]

06:22 AM on 07/28/2010

Really, nowhere in the Caribbean?
I lived in the Caribbean and it was pretty great there.
Most of my family lives in Canada and Montreal and the people are very nice, but Canada is way too cold to ever be truly happy to live there. lol

[plaidsportcoat]

03:50 AM on 07/28/2010

"cycle paths thread through the cities, forests, dales and wetlands; restaurant­s serve up some of northern Europe’s best (and freshest) grub. Cafe-cruis­e in laid-back Copenhagen­, canoe the fjords"

'kay, just as soon as I find that job, get those savings topped up and get a credit card, I'll be on it....