More than just beautiful: 10 places in the world that simply make you happy

Lonely Planet is one of the world's most popular travel guides, offering vacation tips to many travelers in its books and on its website. Lonely Planet has now published two special illustrated books about places that make you happy. One is "Happy Places – Gardens of the World" and the other is "Happy Places – Wild Swimming."

The travel guide's online magazine reveals the respective top 5. Spoiler alert: Unfortunately, none of these places are located in Europe. But if you're planning a trip to Africa, Australia, South America, or other faraway destinations, you can find happiness in the countryside or in the water there.

If you're lucky, you might even spot kiwis at Zealandia Te Māra-a-Tāne Gardens in New Zealand.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

Not to mention that happiness is at the tip of your nose! To reach this "place of happiness" or "garden of happiness," you'll have to fly to the other side of the world, because the Zealandia Te Māra-a-Tāne Garden is located in New Zealand , not far from the capital, Wellington.

Lonely Planet praises the nature reserve as the "first fenced urban ecosystem conservation area" with the vision of restoring local nature to a time before the arrival of humans. There, people can enjoy freedom away from civilization.

Those who enjoy watching animals, especially birds, will be particularly happy there, as the garden is home to New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, as well as the endangered kaka parrot. The best time to visit Zealandia Te Māra-a-Tāne Garden is during the bird breeding season, between October and December.

The epitome of an enchanted garden is hidden in Japan, at the Saihō-ji Zen temple in the historic city of Kyoto. If your happiness lies in silence and inner contemplation, you'll find it there, according to Lonely Planet.

And this happiness carries at least 50 shades of green, because, as the guidebook explains: "The diverse shades of green that literally set the tone here come not only from leafy plants, but from moss, which, according to legend, is said to have taken over the formerly neglected monastery. Therefore, Saihō-ji is also popularly known as Koke-dera, which in Japanese means "moss temple."

You can look forward to more than 100 wild moss species. To protect this wild nature, visitor numbers at the temple are limited. And even if you get a ticket, you'll still have to write the Heart Sutra with a brush and ink at the entrance!

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Mauritius is the number three happiness garden according to “Lonely Planet”.

Source: IMAGO/robertharding

The African island of Mauritius isn't just known for its white, fine sandy beaches and luxury hotels, but also for its garden paradises. Especially one that Lonely Planet ranks third among the happiest gardens in the world.

It's the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden , considered the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the guidebook, it's "a wonderful place to become one with nature and feel the bliss in your veins." At the same time, it's a living testimony to an island shaped by four rival colonial powers. The garden was originally established to grow fruit and vegetables—which, in turn, were given to sailors of the French Empire.

In addition to a wealth of plants, you can also see Aldabra giant tortoises and a pool full of water lilies, some of which are up to two meters in diameter.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens in Australia deserve second place among the “happiness makers” according to the ranking.

Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime

If you're planning a trip to tropical northeastern Australia and want to be happy there, then according to Lonely Planet, you should visit the Cairns Botanic Garden in the coastal town of the same name.

Why? "Between the Great Barrier Reef and the primeval forests of Australia, it's not only the filander, a small marsupial from the kangaroo family, that feels happy. In the humid tropical garden, you're surrounded by a thousand shades of green. Close your eyes, breathe in the warm air, and take in the ever-changing scents—from the pungent stench of the titan arum to the sweet fragrance of the numerous orchids," says the guidebook.

If you're not completely intoxicated afterward, you can learn more about the origins of plant species at the Gondwanan Heritage Garden. Another tip is the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden, which explores traditional medicine practices of Australia's indigenous people.

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden near Cape Town is ranked number one among the gardens that make you happy.

Source: IMAGO/YAY Images

According to Lonely Planet, the greatest garden happiness has a name: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden . The garden winner in the happiness picture book is located inSouth Africa , between the Kirstenbosch and Table Mountain National Parks, south of Cape Town.

"What could be happier than gazing at the mighty Table Mountain, surrounded by 7,000 native plant species? It combines all of South Africa's beauty and forms it into a green diamond," enthuses the guidebook. The plant world ranges from the heather of the fynbos of the Southern Cape region to the blooming aloes of the barren Karoo Desert. The garden even resembles a nature reserve.

So, Lonely Planet's ultimate recipe for happiness in its illustrated garden book is as follows: "Put on your hiking boots and leave the bustling city of Cape Town behind you for a day. (...) Passing colorful protea blossoms, with every step you take, you'll feel your lungs fill with fresh air and your brain with happy hormones."

The Akchour Waterfall in Morocco is a bathing spot that makes you happy.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

That wild swimming spots don't have to be by the sea or a lake is proven by the fifth place in the Lonely Planet ranking of happy wild swimming spots. It's the Akchour Waterfalls in northern Morocco , 120 kilometers south of Tangier. These delight you with "crystal-clear, icy-cold water and a calming mountain panorama that is second to none," as the guidebook describes.

But just as happiness often has to be earned in everyday life, you also have to work hard to reach this place of happiness: An eleven-kilometer hiking trail begins in the mountain village of Akchour. Afterward, a swim in the waters of the Oued Farda awaits you, which is so cold because the river is fed by the snow of the Rif Mountains.

You can also enjoy a delicious tagine on the way back. After all, what makes you happier than the combination of picturesque nature and good food?

At Lake Tanganyika, happiness can be found not only in swimming, but also in observing wild chimpanzees.

Source: imago/BIA

"In western Tanzania , where palm trees reach toward the sky in vibrant green, the water glows a rich blue, and imaginative sunsets paint the world a reddish-orange, lies Lake Tanganyika." This is the Lonely Planet description of the lake in Tanzania's Mahale Mountains National Park. If that doesn't already make you feel happy! But it gets even better: wild chimpanzees also live on the mountain slopes.

However, if you dream of wild swimming on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, you might die a happy but unfortunately premature death: The lake is home to crocodiles and hippos! Wild swimming is still possible there – by taking a boat to the middle of the lake and jumping into the deep water from there, which is supposedly safe.

If you're in doubt, perhaps the convincing words of "Lonely Planet" will help: "Both above and below the falls, a magical view of total isolation reveals itself. Over 200 colorful species of fish swim in the world's second oldest, second deepest, and second largest freshwater lake, which, in addition to Tanzania, is part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Burundi."

The Channel Islands are ranked third among the best places for wild swimming.

Source: IMAGO/Newscom World

"Just the big, wide ocean and you!" is the promise of happiness at wild swimming spot number three. You'll find it about 30 kilometers off the coast of Los Angeles, California , on the Channel Islands, which consist of eight islands. According to "Lonely Planet," the islands are especially popular for hiking and kayaking, and swimming there is still an insider tip:

"Here, you'll find mighty rock formations and mystical sea caves that will make the heart of any adventurous wild swimmer beat faster." The Channel Islands are best reached from the coastal city of Ventura. You'll be very lucky if you spot seals while swimming. And off Anacapa Island, you can even swim with dolphins.

Erawan National Park in Thailand is ranked second among the world's most blissful wild beach resorts.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

Have you ever bathed in the jungle in Thailand instead of on one of its dream beaches? If not, you can experience this bliss in Erawan National Park, just 200 kilometers northwest of Bangkok. The travel guide describes the second-ranked bathing spot as follows:

"Imagine jumping into a shimmering turquoise pool, fed by a picturesque waterfall and surrounded by exotic trees with cheeky macaques swinging in their tops."

The national park is home to seven waterfalls. The most important of these, Phu Pha Erawan, also gives the park its name. Erawan is also the name of a three-headed white elephant, a revered symbol in Hinduism. Asian elephants are said to still live in the national park, but they are rarely seen. If you want to increase your luck and enjoy more solitude, you should go swimming as early as possible in the morning.

According to the travel guide, nothing makes you happier than a swim in the desert lagoon in Chile.

Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia

First place in the ranking of the most promising wild bathing spots is in the middle of a desert – the Atacama Desert inChile , probably the driest desert in the world.

Just the description of this swimming spot provides a dopamine rush: "In the midst of a lifeless, dusty landscape that doesn't seem earthly but makes you feel like you've just landed on the moon, you can embark on an unforgettable, wild swimming adventure."

Seven oasis-like, emerald-green pools of the Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache await you. The salt content of the water is so high that you'll float on the surface like in the Dead Sea. And yet, something is different from the Dead Sea: The Lagunas Baltinache are said to be considerably colder and lack man-made amenities like showers or loungers. If you're worried about sunburn, beware: Sunscreen is prohibited in the water to protect nature!

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter , and the best travel deals on our deals page .

travel reporter