15 of the world’s happiest places

By Griffin Shea, CNN
9 minute read
Updated 5:59 AM EST, Mon January 21, 2019
<strong>Health Land Spa & Massage, Bangkok: </strong>Everyone needs somewhere they can escape the stresses and strains of everyday life. One such place is Thailand's Health Land chain, where weary workers can stop in for everything from a quick foot massage to a long sequence of rejuvenating treatments.
Health Land Spa & Massage, Bangkok: Everyone needs somewhere they can escape the stresses and strains of everyday life. One such place is Thailand's Health Land chain, where weary workers can stop in for everything from a quick foot massage to a long sequence of rejuvenating treatments.
Courtesy Health Land
<strong>Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, Owensboro, Kentucky:</strong> Kentucky's Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn serves classic American food including its famed barbecued meats and apple pie.
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, Owensboro, Kentucky: Kentucky's Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn serves classic American food including its famed barbecued meats and apple pie.
Moonlite Bar-B-Q/Facebook
<strong>Cherry blossom season in Kyoto, Japan: </strong>When the cherry blossoms come out along Kyoto's Okazaki Canal in early April, the water reflects the pink blooms and it's like passing through a glorious floral tunnel.
Cherry blossom season in Kyoto, Japan: When the cherry blossoms come out along Kyoto's Okazaki Canal in early April, the water reflects the pink blooms and it's like passing through a glorious floral tunnel.
Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Mary, Brussels:</strong> Belgian cocoa pioneer Mary Delluc opened her chocolate shop on Brussels' Rue Royale in 1919. Nearly a century on, people can still enjoy her little bites of happiness at outlets throughout Belgium and beyond.
Mary, Brussels: Belgian cocoa pioneer Mary Delluc opened her chocolate shop on Brussels' Rue Royale in 1919. Nearly a century on, people can still enjoy her little bites of happiness at outlets throughout Belgium and beyond.
Courtesy Mary
<strong>Table Mountain, Cape Town: </strong>Table Mountain is a short trip from the center of Cape Town. "The best part about hiking up Table Mountain is that you don't have to drive very far to escape the concrete jungle," says South African hiker Lynette Bannatyne.
Table Mountain, Cape Town: Table Mountain is a short trip from the center of Cape Town. "The best part about hiking up Table Mountain is that you don't have to drive very far to escape the concrete jungle," says South African hiker Lynette Bannatyne.
PrivateFly
<strong>Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives:</strong> Few places evoke "away from it all" like Maldives, the Indian Ocean island nation of tropical paradise beaches. Five-star resort <a href="http://www.ayadamaldives.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Ayada Maldives</a>, pictured, is on the southern rim of the atoll.
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives: Few places evoke "away from it all" like Maldives, the Indian Ocean island nation of tropical paradise beaches. Five-star resort Ayada Maldives, pictured, is on the southern rim of the atoll.
Courtesy Ayada Maldives
<strong>Okavango, Botswana:</strong> "Life slows down to a different pace here," says Joss Kent, CEO of the andBeyond luxury travel company. "Guests have time to absorb even the tiniest and most intricate details of this incredible ecosystem."<br />
Okavango, Botswana: "Life slows down to a different pace here," says Joss Kent, CEO of the andBeyond luxury travel company. "Guests have time to absorb even the tiniest and most intricate details of this incredible ecosystem."
Courtesy andBeyond
<strong>Wrigley Field, Chicago:</strong> One of the last old-school baseball stadiums in America, Wrigley Field is a place to experience the up-close joys of baseball. "No matter where you sit, you are close to the field," says journalist Carrie Kaufman.
Wrigley Field, Chicago: One of the last old-school baseball stadiums in America, Wrigley Field is a place to experience the up-close joys of baseball. "No matter where you sit, you are close to the field," says journalist Carrie Kaufman.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
<strong>Ulva Island, New Zealand: </strong>Britain's Prince Harry visited the open wildlife sanctuary of Ulva Island on a trip to New Zealand in 2015. No invasive animals or pests live in these forests and visitors have to follow strict biosecurity standards.
Ulva Island, New Zealand: Britain's Prince Harry visited the open wildlife sanctuary of Ulva Island on a trip to New Zealand in 2015. No invasive animals or pests live in these forests and visitors have to follow strict biosecurity standards.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images