As much as we love it, international travel can be stressful. Lugging your luggage to and from the airport, hoping said luggage isn't lost in the air travel process, being in a place where you may not speak the language, trying to keep track of your passport — the list goes on and on. Finding some serenity is possible outside of your home country though, especially if you plan a relaxing trip to one of the most peaceful destinations in the world.
Iceland
There's no question which country takes the crown of "Most Peaceful" — Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index (GPI) for the past seven years. Despite being the home of filming locations for some epic Game of Thrones battles, Iceland is friendly, safe, and full of places to chill. Venture outside hip capital Reykjavik to experience Secret Lagoon, a hot spring just a short bus ride away. It's the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, and the water stays at a consistently toasty 100-104 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. In the winter, you can soak and take in the wonders of the universe by watching the Northern Lights above. Maximum relaxation achieved.
Bhutan
The government of Bhutan is so focused on people’s happiness that they invented the term, Gross National Happiness (GNH). Tucked in the beautiful mountains between India and China, Bhutan is a little hidden Buddhist kingdom. The people are friendly and the architecture is truly inspiring. While there are plenty of opportunities for meditation and musing in Bhutan, you can also push yourself with a more intense self-discovery experience. The Snowman Trek is a several weeks long hike (19-24 days) through the Himalayas, temples, and forests of a unique country. Travelers test their limits on this extreme hike, but it could be just what you need to find satisfaction with yourself.
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