Fiji

If a therapist advises you to “go to your happy place,” book a ticket to Fiji. The postcard-perfect beaches, clear water lagoons, colorful coral reefs, and lush green landscapes are the stuff of daydreams, and certain to elicit a smile. With year-round balmy temperatures, a relaxed pace of life, and plenty of daily sunshine, contentment isn’t hard to find. But it’s the people that truly make Fiji one of the world’s happiest places.

This is the land of “Bula,” which means many things. It’s commonly used as a warm personal greeting in a culture where there is no such thing as strangers — just friends you haven’t yet met. Bula also serves as an affirmation of life, a blessing for long life and good health, and the shouted toast when the national beverage of kava is shared. For vacationers, Fiji’s happiness comes in many forms. Resorts scattered across dozens of islands offer options for families, solo travelers, adventure hounds, wellness seekers, and the luxury-minded. Hikers venture into lush hillsides in search of cool jungle pools. Surfers find world-class breaks while snorkelers and divers look below the waves to coral reefs considered the most colorful on earth.