9 Vacations That Could Help You Live Longer and Better

Travel is good for you. But in certain corners of the world, where long, happy lives are the norm, a trip can do more than just recharge you—it can reshape how you live.

These destinations offer lessons in well-being that will linger long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase—whether it’s embracing Costa Rica’s pura vida lifestyle and spending more time in nature or taking a page from the people in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture and forging deeper community ties.

Think of these changes, which are easy to bring back home with you, as the most meaningful souvenir of all.

Sardinia, Italy

There’s more than one reason Sardinia has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. (Photo courtesy of Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda)

Given Sardinia’s stunning beaches and relaxed vibe, it’s not surprising that the Mediterranean’s second-largest island has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. There’s no one secret, but an abundance of fresh, locally grown food and a tendency toward daily activity play a big part. Be like the locals and explore the coast by foot, bike or boat—hike the Santa Barbara Mining Trail, cycle along the Sinis Peninsula, sail around the Maddalena archipelago—and set aside plenty of time to swim and sunbathe at Tuerredda Beach. It's easy to be a vegetarian here: indulge in ravioli filled with potatoes, cheese and mint, or stew made with fava beans, fregula and a medley of vegetables. And a glass or two of Sardinia’s signature red wine, cannonau, is a given (the high levels of antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties). Stay at Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda, an idyllic resort on the island’s northeastern corner, where you can take cooking classes and sailing lessons and lazily watch the sun set from your suite’s bougainvillea-framed balcony.

Okinawa, Japan

Wellness and purpose go hand in hand in Okinawa, captured in the idea of ikigai, a passion or reason for living. (Photo courtesy of IRAPH SUI, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Miyako Okinawa)

Japan’s southernmost prefecture, Okinawa, is the country’s premier tropical destination, known for its pristine beaches, colorful coral reefs and mild climate, as well as its high concentration of centenarians. Wellness and purpose go hand in hand here, captured in the idea of ikigai, a passion or reason for living, whether that’s tending a garden or volunteering in the community. On Miyako Island, the prefecture’s fourth-largest island, that ethos plays out against a backdrop of sugar-white sand and turquoise waters. Yonaha Maehama Beach stretches for more than 4 miles along calm, shallow waters, while Yoshino Kaigan Beach across the island offers some of the region’s best snorkeling, with a maze of coral reefs and frequent sea turtle sightings. For a land-based reset, the 1.2-mile walk along Cape Higashi-Hennazaki leads to a lighthouse with sweeping, nearly 360-degree views. Make your base IRAPH SUI, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Miyako Okinawa on Irabu Island (linked to Miyako by Japan’s longest toll-free bridge), where some of the 58 rooms and suites come with private pools overlooking the sea.

Atacama, Chile

This high-altitude desert offers a stripped-back kind of wellness, shaped by daily activity, clean air and a healthy diet. (Photo courtesy of Tierra Atacama)

If there’s a place to clear your head completely, it’s the Atacama Desert, where life expectancy ranks among the highest in South America. Remote and otherworldly, this high-altitude landscape offers a stripped-back kind of wellness, shaped by daily activity, clean air and a healthy diet rooted in Andean staples like quinoa, corn and potatoes. Given the scale of the terrain, the best way to experience the area is with expert guidance, and Tierra Atacama is designed for exactly that. A stay at the lodge, which completed a $20 million refresh in 2025, includes a full-day excursion or two half-day excursions daily: horseback rides along the Salt Mountains, hikes to the summit of dormant Cerro Toco, bike rides through the Devil’s Canyon or a float in the mineral-rich Cejar Lagoon. Meals feature produce from the on-site garden, local meats like lamb and guanaco (a llama-like camelid) and Chilean wines. Though you’ll no doubt be exhausted after your adventures, stay up late enough to stargaze: The desert’s dark skies are some of the clearest on earth.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Locals credit the pura vida lifestyle—an anything-goes approach rooted in community and time spent outdoors—with helping people stay active and healthy late in life.

Set along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the Nicoya Peninsula is a place where longevity feels less like a goal and more like a by-product of daily life. Locals credit the pura vida lifestyle—an anything-goes approach rooted in community and time spent outdoors—with helping people stay active and engaged late in life. The setting doesn’t hurt. This is Costa Rica at its most abundant, where surf breaks roll in along wide, golden beaches (Playa Tamarindo is a crowd-pleaser), limestone caves punctuate the peninsula and forested mountains rise just inland. Birders should visit Palo Verde National Park, one of the country’s most biodiverse areas, home to roseate spoonbills and jabiru storks. Stay at Silvestre Nosara, where you can start your day with a private sunrise yoga session. The nine grand residences have full kitchens and washer-dryers, so, in other words, you’ll want to stay a while.

Bergen, Norway

Saunas and mountain hikes are just two good reasons why residents of this Norwegian city are known for long, healthy lives. (Photo courtesy of Chelo Segear/Chase)

Nicknamed both the “City of Seven Mountains” and the “Gateway to the Fjords,” Bergen lends itself to an active lifestyle—something that keeps its residents healthy well into their 80s. Take a cue from the locals and tackle one of the surrounding peaks; a popular choice is to take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen and then hike back down. For something a little less strenuous, hop aboard a fjord cruise and glide through Osterfjord, past fairy-tale villages and into the narrow Mostraumen strait, where waterfalls spill down steep cliffs. Back in town, the harbor is the place to try the Nordic sauna ritual—a “fire and ice” cycle of intense heat followed by a bracing plunge in the sea. In Bergen, many saunas float directly on the water, heightening the experience. It’s equal parts invigorating and meditative, and studies suggest it may support heart health and reduce stress. Continue the wellness journey at Skostredet Hotel & Spa, a modern, 126-room property that welcomed a new spa last year. It’s also home to an award-winning Japanese restaurant and an in-house flower shop where you can pick up a bedside bouquet.

Ikaria, Greece

Healing hot springs and markets overflowing with fresh produce? It’s no wonder this destination has such long-lived residents.

Just 99 square miles, Ikaria has a population of about 8,500—and amazingly, one-third of its residents live into their 90s, something they credit to their strong family ties, plant-heavy diet and low-stress lifestyle. For travelers, one of the biggest draws is the healing hot springs in Therma, on the southern coast. Visit one of the no-frills spas in town or simply wade into the sea to find pockets of hot mineral springs. Ikaria skips the splashy resorts and beach clubs of neighboring islands in favor of a more lived-in feel. Rent a vacation house; shop local markets for fresh fish, vegetables, goat cheese and honey; and cook at your own pace after a day spent swimming at Seychelles Beach or hiking through the Halari Gorge. To truly embrace the island culture, time your visit with one of its village panigiria. These spirited festivals stretch late into the night with music, dancing, food and wine, quickly fading the line between visitor and local.

Singapore

Opt for a low-stress, laid-back beach trip marked by hiking, swimming and plenty of fresh fruit.

Though it’s a major metropolis with a population of more than 6 million, Singapore has quietly engineered a lifestyle built for longevity. Nearly 40% of the city is covered in green spaces, from junglelike reserves to manicured parks, while steep taxes on cars and a pedestrian-friendly design make walking a daily habit. It’s easy for travelers to tap into this balance. Head to MacRitchie Reservoir Park to enjoy the 6.5-mile TreeTop Walk, which loops through dense rainforest and takes you along a suspension bridge where you may spot macaques, monkeys and turtles. Or visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, founded in 1859, to marvel at more than 1,000 species of orchids. Eating here is definitely something that will bring you joy, whether you’re digging in to vibrant hawker fare (Hainanese chicken rice, chile crab) or indulging at award-winning restaurants such as Les Amis or Odette. A fitting place to rest your head is Pan Pacific Orchard, a striking “vertical oasis” with terraced gardens and a palm tree–lined pool.

Martinique

Opt for a low-stress, laid-back beach trip marked by hiking, swimming and plenty of fresh fruit.

With its golden beaches, emerald rainforests and spectacular gardens, this French Caribbean island makes a compelling case for the good life. Just ask its unusually high number of centenarians (twice as many per capita as mainland France), who enjoy a low-stress life and lots of outdoor activity. Follow suit by going swimming at the black-sand Anse Couleuvre, one of the northernmost beaches reachable by car, or hiking along the coast and up the stratovolcano Mount Pelée for spectacular views of the island. At Jardin de Balata, watch hummingbirds dive between porcelain roses and hibiscus. The Grand Marché Couvert in Fort-de-France is a sensory introduction to the island’s food culture, with stalls piled high with mangoes and lychees (go ahead and pick up a bottle of locally produced rum, too). While there are a handful of boutique luxury hotels on the island, your best bet is to book a villa for a private pool, direct beach access and the kind of quiet that only comes with your own slice of coastline.

Canberra, Australia

Australia’s capital city is known for a high quality of life attributed in part to a deep connection to nature.

Canberra is often overlooked in favor of Australia’s coastal stars, but the capital city is regularly singled out for its high quality of life, thanks in part to its deep connection to nature. At its center, Lake Burley Griffin is ringed by walking and cycling paths (bike shares and rentals are common here). Just beyond the city limits, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers the chance to spot koalas, kangaroos and emus in the wild. And farther afield, Namadgi National Park unfolds across rugged mountain bushland, with more than 100 miles of trails, ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and panoramic lookouts like Booroomba Rocks. Check in to a spacious, residential-style room at A by Adina Canberra, located in the center of the city at Constitution Place and just steps from Lake Burley Griffin.