Top Destinations to Celebrate International Day of Happiness with the Best Mood-Boosting Activities

The benefits of travel go beyond making memories and meeting new people – exploring a new place can have a remarkably positive impact on a person’s wellbeing. With 90% of Vietnamese travellers saying their motivation to travel is to boost their mood,* taking a vacation is the ultimate way to feel good. From sunnier climes to spa treatments and street food, travel can lift the spirits and boost happiness levels for weeks after returning home.

To celebrate the International Day of Happiness on the 20th of March, Booking.com has selected 5 top destinations where Vietnamese can travel to that have the best mood boosting activities based on global traveller reviews.** From calming yoga on the beach in Indonesia to dog walking in Yorkshire, incorporate a mood-boosting activity into your next vacation to make it the most joyful yet.

Outdoor activities in Florianópolis, Brazil

Blessed with lush rainforests, picturesque lagoons and white sandy beaches on the turquoise shore of the South Atlantic, Florianópolis is a hidden gem off the beaten track. Often referred to as ‘Ilha da Magia’ – the Magic Island – it’s a top recommended destination for outdoor activities according to Booking.com travellers. From surfing to scuba diving and paddleboarding, it’s the perfect place for a happiness injection especially for those seeking adventure. Venture inland to explore the diverse hiking trails immersed in nature, or head into the sky paragliding for a serious endorphin rush and some jaw-dropping views.

Where to stay: The Search House hostel features a private beach area and water sports facilities for guests to enjoy outdoor activities. The property is just a short walk to the beach and close to the Open Sea Turtle Museum. Visitors can chill out by the outdoor pool after a day of action with a refreshing Caipirinha or popular local sweet sugarcane juice.

Wellness in Abano Terme, Italy

The quiet town of Abano Terme is a quaint spa resort in the Veneto region of north-east Italy. Home to soothing thermal baths and Roman spas thanks to the mineral-rich water fed by ancient springs, it’s the ideal vacation for rest and relaxation – and a top destination for wellness according to Booking.com travellers which is a key factor to feeling content. Visitors can relax with a mud treatment or potter around the charming piazzas and old churches in the heart of the leafy town. Abano Terme is only a 45-minute drive to Venice, ideal for a day trip to view the impressive gothic buildings and experience the Grand Canal with a boat tour around the islands of Murano and Burano.

Where to stay: With spa and wellness facilities on the hotel wishlist of a majority (74%) of Vietnamese travellers,***  Hotel Mioni Pezzato ticks all the boxes. The ultimate regenerating retreat for body and soul, the hotel boasts 16 pools, a thermal spa, hydromassage stations and a range of treatments that will soothe and uplift. All luxury rooms come with garden views and are furnished stylishly in soft pastel colours to cultivate calm.

Yoga in Canggu, Indonesia

Home to ultra-cool vegan cafes, beach bars and boutiques, the coastal village of Canggu on the south coast of Bali with its surf-shack groove is a hipster’s paradise. More a state of mind than a place, Canggu is guaranteed to raise the vibes, and is a top recommended destination for yoga according to Booking.com travellers. Head to Echo Beach, known for its soft black sand and bright turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean, where travellers can enjoy sun salutations at sunset, or sunrise for early birds. Whether into Vinyasa or Bikram, a budding beginner or a yogi master, Canggu is a cool spot for a restorative trip. Book a Munduk Wilderness and Haunted Waterfall Tour for the chance to explore Bali’s luscious terraced rice fields via mountain bike.

Where to stay: The stunning Annupuri Villas Bali with air conditioned and spacious rooms, lie within beautiful gardens where yoga classes are available for guests to stretch in the peaceful surroundings. The hotel provides à la carte breakfast which can be delivered floating from the pool straight to the hotel room. Bike hire is also available for guests to discover the local village and coastline.

Pet-friendly in Whitby, United Kingdom

The pretty seaside town of Whitby, located in north Yorkshire, is steeped in English charm and tradition. Take a stroll along the pier, visit the lighthouse and dig into locally caught crab and lobster. Encircled by the North York Moors, Whitby is a top recommended destination for pet-friendly trips according to Booking.com travellers; visitors can enjoy the health benefits of taking their furry friends on long walks across the wild countryside to uplift their spirits. Explore the cobbled streets, quirky shops and cafes on a Walking Audio Tour including the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

Where to stay: With a half (53%)*** of Vietnamese travellers opting for pet-friendly accommodation when choosing this type of stay, The Stables at Crossbutts welcomes guests as well as their four-legged friends. Just a short drive from town, this 17th century farmhouse, with its quirky courtyard of stables-turned-rooms, has sweeping views of the stunning Esk Valley. Guests can cosy up next to the log fire in the garden room or try the family-run restaurant which serves delicious seasonal dishes in a charming rustic setting.

Waterfalls in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

Located on the tri-border where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet, Puerto Iguazú is home to the magnificent Iguazu National Park, rated one of the best destinations for waterfalls by Booking.com travellers. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features 275 waterfalls including the world-renowned Iguazu Falls, where it’s hard to forget the once-in-a-lifetime sound of water plunging to the earth, producing great rainbow-filled clouds of steam. Alongside the mesmerising waterfalls, visitors can meander through luscious jungle rich with wildlife and vibrant tropical birds.

Where to Stay: Gran Meliá Iguazú is a luxurious and Travel Sustainable property handily located within Iguazú National Park itself, with wow-factor rooms overlooking the waterfalls and jungle. Spa facilities include a hot tub, hammam and sauna. With three restaurants and four bars, this incredible stay is perfect for those who want to be immersed in nature but with luxury comfort. Admire the surroundings from the room’s private balcony and relax by the infinity pool overlooking the gardens.

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travellers to use when booking their next trip. Discounts start at 15 percent and are valid for stays between 4 April until 30 September 2022. In addition, Booking.com is bringing the great value of its Genius program to even more customers by giving all account holders access to the program’s Level 1 benefits, with no minimum number of previous bookings to qualify, including access to exclusive 10% discounts at hundreds of thousands of participating properties around the world. All travellers have to do is download the Booking.com app, log in and look for the Genius logo to identify associated benefits, discounts and perks.

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets. In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once  for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.

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Source: Vietnam Insider