Author Dan Buettner and his team have been working for over a decade on identifying places of longevity worldwide. They found places with a high concentration of individuals over 100 years old and clusters of people who had grown old without health problems like heart disease, obesity, cancer, or diabetes.

Blue Zones

This island is eight miles off the coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. It has some of the lowest rates of middle-age mortality and dementia worldwide. Research suggests their increased longevity is linked to their traditional Mediterranean diet.

Ikaria, Greece

Okinawa is home to the world’s longest-lived women.  Their diet includes staples like Okinawan sweet potatoes, soybeans, mugwort, turmeric, and goya (bitter melon).

Okinawa, Japan

The mountainous highlands of this Italian island has the world’s highest concentration of centenarian men. They eat a low-protein diet associated with lower diabetes, cancer, and death rates for people under age 65.

Ogliastra Region, Sardinia

This community has the highest concentration of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. The residents live ten healthy years more than the average American. Their diet includes grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

Loma Linda, California

In this region of Central America, residents have the world’s lowest rate of middle-age mortality and the second-highest concentration of male centenarians. They have strong faith communities, deep social networks, and regular, low-intensity physical activity.

Nicola Peninsula, Costa Rica

These cultures have uncovered the secrets of longevity.

Stashed ideas

5 "Blue Zones" Where the World's Healthiest People Live

Danish design is famous for its straight lines, natural materials, light tones, and uncomplicated patterns. Their living rooms are bright and de-cluttered.Because clutter equals stress.The same goes for brain clutter which we have so much of in the U.S.That’s why Danish minimalism goes beyond furniture. Both simplicity of life and simplicity of mind is important to Danes. Less of everything means more time, space, and energy to actually enjoy life.

The Danish: Minimalists By Nature

<ul><li>Denmark has some of the world’s highest taxes and prices for consumer goods and services. That’s why Danes eat home whenever possible.</li><li>This means less processed foods and a more relaxing atmosphere when consuming your meals.</li><li>A dinner with family or friends will always be more important to a Dane than a fancy meal out.</li><li>They have big dining tables at home that seat eight or even ten people.</li></ul>

More Cooking

<ul><li>Nearly 60% of people in Copenhagen commute by bicycle every day.</li><li>Danes are obsessed with bikes and often come first in the world’s most bike-friendly cities and nations lists, followed by Netherlands.</li><li>World’s-leading biking infrastructure means that in Denmark, bikes have their own roads, not just lanes, stretching along the main roads, with dedicated traffic signals and rules enforced by police.</li><li>Biking is a serious business in Denmark. And Danes are surely happier and healthier for it.</li></ul>

More Biking

Even office lunches in Denmark are often eaten with other people, strangers or not. Sharing a warm meal with proper cutlery and a proper conversation is how the Danes dine.Eating a cold sandwich alone at your desk would be considered weird and unhealthy.Because it is.Food is joy, not an afterthought.

Eating With Others

<ul><li>The city streets are filled with smokers: mothers pushing strollers, old ladies, teenagers, you name it.</li><li>No one seemed to care or notice.</li><li>Same with drinking. No one cared if you drank at home, in the street, or in the office on a Friday night.</li><li>People lived and let others live. And what a happy way to be it is.</li></ul>

Drink and Smoke if You Want To

<ul><li>Scandinavians are obsessed with fresh air.</li><li>In Denmark, it starts with birth, when babies are left to sleep outside in their prams even in colder months (and they have so many of those!).</li><li>Danish kindergartens make sure the kids spent a lot (if not most) of their day outside, rain or shine.</li><li>Children have all of their classes outside in nature.</li><li>Rain or snow, they bike to work, even if covered in special head-to-toe gear. They walk and bathe in temperatures most Americans would find unacceptable, too.</li><li>Because healthy body equals healthy mind.</li><li>And fresh air stimulates both.</li></ul>

Get Out In Fresh Air

A Dane will never cross the road at a red light, even if there are no cars in sight. Life is just more predictable that way. The key to this system though is that everyone in the country is under a silent obligation to do the same.Following the written and unwritten rules of society has a greater effect on our well-being than we ever consider.

Follow The Rules

<ul><li>Danes are obsessed with mood lighting.</li><li>It’s like the whole country agreed to wage a war on bright hospital lighting so favored in the U.S.</li><li>It all starts with hygge — a Danish word that roughly translates as coziness and is a way of life in Denmark.</li><li>There’s nothing a Dane likes more than having a “cozy” home, corner, dinner, or a “cozy time.” There’s little that can’t be described as “cozy” or “un-cozy” in Denmark. And bright lights are definitely that.</li></ul>

Dimming The Lights

<ul><li>Denmark has very little bureaucracy and almost no paperwork. Every transaction is electronic and streamlined to a minimum. The country is as efficient as it gets.</li><li>You can call it electronic minimalism and, as with regular minimalism, it declutters your life and saves your time, both things that can contribute to your happiness levels.</li><li>While cancelling bureaucracy in the U.S. seems impossible, there are ways to utilise technologies and make your life that much simpler and happier for it.</li></ul>

No Red Tape Or Slow Government Work

We can't all move to Denmark but we can learn from the Danes how to live happier. 
I did. And I returned to the U.S. with a new perspective on  life (and a Danish husband in tow).

Life Tips From the (Almost) Happiest People in the World: The Danish

If you're a tourist in a new place, it's easy to make some common errors. However, with some research and understanding of the local customs, you can avoid these rookie tourist mistakes.

Committing travel faux pas

It's impossible to make a day trip from Brisbane to Cairns. It's really a two-day drive. Driving from Brisban to Sydney will take 12 hours.

Underestimating the size of Australia

There isn't much decent food on Las Ramblas besides La Boqueria, the city's most famous covered marketplace. Most places will lure you in and charge you a premium for a bad meal. Instead, walk to the Gothic Quarter or El Born neighbourhood for great restaurants.

Eating anywhere on Las Ramblas in Barcelona

Unless you're prepared to pay thousands of dollars on very coordinated flights, you can't expect to see too much in one visit. The US is big, so pick a few states and stick with that.

People come to the US expecting to see too much in one go

Locals will tell you it is a mistake only to visit the capital or go down the west coast. The magic is in the east.
Yilan has all the allures of Taipei plus beautiful waterfalls and mountains at a much lower cost. Taiwan's public transportation makes it easy to see unique destinations.

When travelling to Taiwan, only visiting the capital, Taipei

Besides the iconic Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, ensure to spend some time in parts of the city where local Parisians hang out. These places are real gems. Avoid restaurants around main attractions. Instead, go find a cute bistro in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 19th, or 20th arrondissements, where locals actually go to eat.

Sticking to the touristy neighbourhoods in Paris

When you eat in a restaurant in Portugal, the waiter will often bring seemingly "free" bread, olives, or other snacks. If you eat it, expect to pay for it. If you don't touch it, your waiter will take it away and pretend it never existed.

Eating 'free' snacks in a restaurant in Portugal

You should really stay in a riad - a traditional Moroccan house built around a garden. Riads are unique, and the hospitality is excellent. The staff or owners can often show you around the bustling medina.

Most Marrakesh tourists book a hotel room

Tourists often speak loudly to others or on the phone in public places. In Japan, people are well-mannered and try not to bother anyone with loud talking, music, or games on their phones. If you have to talk, do so in a way that doesn't draw attention.

Speaking loudly in Japan

Mexico City is excellent, and there are many restaurants to try, but don't forget Mexico City's incredible street food scene. Street food stands are everywhere, serving the best blue corn quesadillas, al pastor tacos, and tortas.

Eating only at upscale restaurants in Mexico City

Common Tourist Mistakes Around The World

Dating back centuries, simnel cake is a fruit cake that was originally eaten on Sunday during Lent throughout the United Kingdom.
The cake is topped with a layer of toasted marzipan and 11 or 12 marzipan balls, which represent the 12 apostles.

United Kingdom: Simnel cake

Pascua is Spanish for Easter, so Tarta Pascualina means "Eastertime Tart." <ul><li>The savory pie is filled with ricotta, hard-boiled eggs, spinach, artichoke, and parsley. S</li><li>ince it is meatless, it's a common dish during Lent, and the many eggs used to make it symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ.</li></ul>

Argentina: Torta pascualina

Recipes for capirotada — a bread pudding served on Good Friday — vary across the country, but it's usually made from:<ul><li>Bread similar to a baguette (bolillo), which has been soaked in mulled syrup made from sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. </li><li>Nuts, dried fruit, and sprinkles are common toppings.</li></ul>Capirotada is meant to signify the crucifixion: the cinnamon sticks represent the cross, the cloves represent the nails, and the bread represents Christ's Body.

Mexico: Capirotada

The French have a particular Easter recipe for leg of lamb known as "le gigot d'agneau Pascal:" The meat (lamb being known as a sacrificial animal) is seasoned with garlic and herbs such as rosemary and then roasted.

France: Leg of lamb

Those making mämmi for Easter need to start the preparation days in advance, as it needs to be stored chilled for three to four days before being served. The traditional dessert is made from water, molasses, malted rye, rye flour, and Seville orange zest for seasoning. It's usually eaten cold with milk or cream.

Finland: Mämmi

<ul><li>White borscht isn't exclusively made at Easter, but it's common during the holiday. Made from soured rye flour, sausage, and hard-boiled eggs, the soup is hearty and filling.</li><li>Although babka has become a year-round dessert favorite in many countries, the spongy yeast cake has traditionally been served on Easter Sunday in Poland for years. Typically, the babka is round and covered in a sweet glaze.</li></ul>

Poland: White borscht (zurek) and babka wielkanocna

Sweet breads are common holiday food in Italy. There's panettone at Christmas and colomba di Pasqua at Easter. Shaped like a dove, a symbol of peace, colomba di Pasqua is stuffed with candied fruit and then sprinkled with almonds and pearl sugar.

Italy: Colomba di Pasqua

This is a hearty soup that consists of a variety of grains and beans as well as bacalao, dry salted cod. The exact ingredients differ from household to household, but common ones include fava beans, squash, corn, rice, garlic, onions, peas, and milk.Ideally, 12 different kinds of beans are used to make the soup, representing the 12 apostles. The bacalao symbolizes Jesus.

Ecuador: Fanesca

Tsoureki is a braided sweet bread. The three-strand braid symbolizes the Holy Trinity, while the hard-boiled eggs that the bread is commonly served with are meant to symbolize the blood of Christ, which is why they're dyed red.

Greece: Tsoureki

<ul><li>Known as kerbelsuppe in German, chervil soup is made from chervil, a herb related to parsley. </li><li>The soup is typically eaten on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter), which is known as Gründonnerstag, or Green Thursday in German — hence the green soup.</li></ul>

Germany: Chervil soup

Rosquillas de Semana Santa, or Easter doughnuts, taste more like cake than doughnuts since they're made with fermented flour instead of yeast. How they're served differs across Spain, but a common preparation is a dusting of sugar on top.

Spain: Rosquillas

The ham is sweet, thanks to either a glaze made from honey and brown sugar or from being covered in sliced pineapple.Before fridges existed, animals were slaughtered in the fall, and their cured meat wasn't ready to eat until Easter — hence the tradition.

United States: Baked ham

Pinca is a popular Easter treat used to celebrate the end of Lent in many Eastern European countries, like Slovenia and Croatia. Before it's baked, the sign of the cross is carved into the dough at the top of the bread.

Slovenia and Croatia: Pinca

Made with cottage cheese and cream cheese, pashka is a savory dessert that can either be eaten alone or with bread. The cheese mound is often decorated with dried fruit and the letters XB, which mean "Christ is risen."

Russia: Pashka

A combination of both pizza and pie, pizza chiena means filled pizza in the Neapolitan dialect. The Neapolitan specialty is stuffed with a variety of cured meats and cheeses.

Naples, Italy: Pizza chiena

These sweet, spiced buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday to signify the end of Lent, and have been an Easter tradition for centuries. Currants or raisins dot the bun, and a glaze is used to make a cross on top, which signifies the crucifixion of Jesus.

United Kingdom: Hot cross buns

This sweet and salty Brazilian candy is made from only a few simple ingredients: ground peanuts, salt, sugar, and sometimes cassava flour.

Brazil: Paçoca de amendoim

From a marzipan-topped fruit cake in the UK to a stuffed savory pie in Argentina, here's what Easter meals look like across the globe.

What people eat for Easter in countries around the world

As a predominantly Catholic country, France has various Easter traditions of note.<ul><li>According to legend, French children receive chocolates on Easter morning not from the fabled bunny, but from flying church bells. </li><li>It’s said that when the bells do not ring from Good Friday to Easter Sunday (to mourn Christ's death), they are flying to Rome to fetch the goodies. </li><li>In Alsace, charming markets are whimsically decorated and teeming with fluffy rabbits, goats, and ducks you can pet. </li><li>The village of Bessières makes a giant omelette each year from 15,000 eggs—and a dozen cooks.</li></ul>

Easter in France

The most striking Easter tradition is the intricate sand designs called alfombras that line the streets.The multi-chromatic creations come in patterns of all kinds—geometric, floral, and illustrative—and local artisans spend days creating the masterpieces using a mix of dyed sawdust and sand. They are erased on Good Friday as the procession walks over them, kicking up the sand and erasing the designs in the process.

Easter in Guatemala

<ul><li>One of the island’s most beloved is the Good Friday kite flying festival on Horseshoe Bay Beach. Hundreds of Bermudians turn out to fly their kites, which are kaleidoscopic, hexagonal wonders with long tails that hum once aloft. The wooden sticks that provide the structural integrity form a cross or star shape, and their annual flight symbolizes the resurrection.</li><li>Traditional Easter dishes in Bermuda include hot cross buns and codfish cakes.</li><li>The island grows Easter lilies and gifts bouquets of the white flowers shaped like trumpets to Buckingham palace every year.</li></ul>

Easter in Bermuda

<ul><li>It all starts on Palm Sunday when churchgoers receive dried flower bouquets or willow branches in lieu of palms. </li><li>Their version of Easter eggs is much more elaborate and intricate. Called pisanki, they are painted with delicate, ornamental floral patterns. </li><li>On Easter Monday, the Poles celebrate “Wet Monday,” in which boys and men pour water on women and girls, although in recent years the tradition has evolved into water fights where no one is safe. </li><li>Warsaw also is home to the Beethoven Easter Festival, which hosts a classical music program through Holy Week.</li></ul>

Easter in Poland

<ul>
<li>Florence holds a ritual called Scoppio del Carro, in which white oxen carry a centuries-old wagon to Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. After mass, the archbishop sends a mechanical dove into the wagon, which explodes in a spectacular fireworks display.</li>
<li>A parade through the city follows, and most Easter celebrations don’t stop when the night ends.</li>
<li>Easter Monday, called Pasquetta (or little Easter), is for packing picnics of leftovers and getting outside to relax. Or, in the Umbrian village of Panicale, rolling four-kilogram wheels of cheeses through an obstacle course.</li>
</ul>

Easter in Italy

<ul><li>The island of Marinduque’s Moriones Festival takes place during Holy Week each year, and a major cornerstone of the festivities is inspired by Longinus, a Roman executioner of Christ.</li><li>Men and women impersonate Roman soldiers, by donning masks, helmets, and gladiator-inspired garb, and wander the streets.</li><li>According to legend, Saint Longinus was blind, and was cured when a drop of Christ’s blood fell in his eye during the crucifixion, as he pierced Christ's side with a lance. He then declared his faith and was later beheaded. This specific tale is often reenacted during the festival.</li></ul>

Easter in The Philippines

In Mexico and throughout Latin America, the Easter holiday is an opportunity to cleanse oneself of evil.<ul><li>On Holy Saturday, it’s typical to re-enact the burning of Judas by hanging an effigy and burning it at the stake.</li><li>Theatrical renditions of the rest of Easter’s tales, called passion plays, are performed, too. One of the largest and most elaborate of them all is in Iztapalapa, a borough of Mexico City, which has 5,000 participants and 150 speaking roles. The tradition began in 1843 to rejoice the end of a cholera epidemic. Now, the performances begin on Palm Sunday and last through Holy Week<warningtag>.</warningtag></li></ul>

Easter in Mexico

Eastern Orthodox communities follow the Julian calendar's holiday schedule instead of the Gregorian's. <ul><li>The Holy Fire, which is said to emit from the tomb of Jesus Christ every Holy Saturday, is flown from Jerusalem to Athens and then delivered throughout Greece. </li><li>During midnight church service, the flame is passed from the priest to worshippers’ candles. People say Christ has risen" and "Truly, He has risen".</li><li>Easter marks the end of 40 days of fasting, and the dishes served that day are appropriately indulgent and symbolic: roasted lamb, sweet and fluffy braided bread,  and red hard-boiled eggs.</li></ul>

Easter in Greece

<ul>
<li>Since 1930, Angelenos have celebrated Holy Saturday with a Blessing of the Animals on Los Angeles's Olvera Street—the procession is full of flamboyantly costumed pets and a cow decked out in flowers leads it.</li>
<li>But New York City is home to perhaps the splashiest of all Easter events in the country: the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival. Around St. Patrick’s Cathedral in midtown, hundreds of revelers sport towering, whimsical hats.</li>
</ul>

Easter in the United States

From passion plays in Mexico to kite-flying in Bermuda, these countries have incredible Easter traditions. Here's how to recreate them at home.

5 "Blue Zones" Where the World's Healthiest People Live

Life Tips From the (Almost) Happiest People in the World: The Danish

Common Tourist Mistakes Around The World

What people eat for Easter in countries around the world

How Countries Around the World Celebrate Easter

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