UPTOURIST

Holy moly! Is it already International Day of Happiness again? (March 20).

What better way to celebrate than deciding to grace one of these truly awesome and happy places with your tourist dollars!

1. Jamaica

What more can you ask for than a tropical beachfront paradise, that doesn’t rip a hole in your wallet on vacation? Everyone is chill here. Even if you’re uptight, this place will change you, possibly forever. Jamaica favors open-minded souls who don’t believe they have to spend every day grinding out an existence “working for the man” and saving every penny. You’ll make fast friends where ever you go here, and going a day without some sun and relaxation on the beach is considered a cardinal sin by the locals.

Fun and smiles are mandatory in Kingston and other parts of the island:

Of course there’s lots of beaches, but some people like to relax in other ways here:

2. Australia

Pure heaven. Surf, sand, fun laid-back culture, along with marine and land mammal diversity found nowhere else. Australia is on most people’s bucket lists and is a place one should visit at least once in life. Australians do grow up, but still keep the fun-loving child inside them close to the surface. Always looking to make a new friend. You’ll never hear an Aussie say “I’ve got enough friends, mate.” No, this is a fun-filled paradise full of coastal beach fronts, crazy nightlife, and nearly any activity you can imagine for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. It’s also one of the most expensive places to go, with most pubs charging over $12 USD for a pint of beer and coffee shops charging $6 and up for a plain-Jane cup of coffee. The average daily stay at a hotel will run you around $150 at most locations. Well worth it though.

Everyone says “G’day” and has a huge smile for you in OZ:

Even the animals are super-friendly!

3. Brazil

Brazil is most famous for it’s epicenter in Rio, with 13.5 million people living on a small parcel of land in and around the city. It also has endless beaches, where the locals and lucky tourists are doing anything but laying around and sulking about life. Brazilians know how to have fun and always have a smile for tourists (of course, this is outside the Favelas which are bad news for anyone who enters). Brazilians are a happy culture because they rarely hold their emotions, good or bad, inside. They’re an expressive people. If someone ticks them off, there’s sure to be a yelling match that ensues. If a man finds a woman attractive, he won’t hesitate to tell her. Nothing gets held back. There’s a luscious mix of beach life, adrenaline-filled fun like bungee jumping, hang gliding, boating and jungle zip-lining adventures to make even the most weary of traveler happy.

Faith in Christ is shared by many here:

Brazilians LOVE their football and go a little postal during World Cup time:

The beaches are endless. Just look how many people are out in Rio on any given day!

4. Japan

The skyline in Tokyo is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. So much culture within this relatively tiny island hotspot. While some elements of Japanese culture seen in the movies and on television can seem a bit stiff or obtrusive to outsiders, once you get here you’ll never think that way again. This city welcomes everyone equally and unlike the other happy countries mentioned in this list, beach life is the farthest thing from what this country’s about! Japan is all about culture and togetherness. There’s plenty of hustle and bustle, but when you make eye contact with someone, they almost always have a warm smile for you.

Though there are many stiff cultural traditions, Japanese always have a smile for each other and tourists too:

You’re never far from fun in Japan, whether you want to see a concert, artistic dance, or go make a smiling fool of yourself at one of the many karaoke lounges:

5. Scandinavia

This culture can sometimes get a bad rap because of their ruthless Viking roots. However, the whole of Norway is very serene and laid-back. They love to have their fun, most raised to enjoy the finer things in life and be at one with nature. Electronic trance and house music festivals are a big draw for most anyone under the age of 40. The atmosphere everywhere you go seems to be built around calmness and relaxation. Even the architecture and artwork displayed throughout Scandinavia is soothing — almost like everything was designed by a fairy tale film-maker. The people here match their surroundings perfectly: calmness, kindness and passion all mixed together!

The cold waters that surround this place are nothing like the warm waters found in the tropics, but they’re inviting in their own way:

No wonder the people are so happy and relaxed here! If you’re feeling disillusioned about modern society you can take a trip back in time, any time you want in Scandinavia:

Head to Reykjavik in Iceland if you’re young and looking for music and dancing: