You wouldn’t be the only person to associate holidays with happiness, but it turns out your destination of choice could be contributing to just how content you feel.

The world’s happiest holiday spots have been revealed for 2026 – and the list includes plenty of European destinations.

One UK spot even makes the top five, according to the Holiday Happiness Index study from BookRetreats.

‘When we talk about feeling good, we’re really talking about the release of happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin,’ says Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist and holistic happiness expert, Dr Natalie Dattilo-Ryan.

‘These chemicals influence everything from mood and sleep to energy and digestion. 

‘And many of the things that trigger them, like sunlight, movement, food, and quality rest, are often part of a good holiday, if you choose the right destination.’

Here’s a rundown of the best places – does your favourite holiday destination make the cut? 

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has emerged as the world’s happiest holiday hotspot, scoring highly across various feel-good factors, with its food offerings standing out in particular.

More than 8 per cent of its restaurants are rated healthy, while its walkable streets make navigating on foot easy and rewarding. 

The city boasts over 2,800 hours of sunshine throughout the year, with quick access to green spaces and beaches, merging lifestyle and nature in a way that promotes overall wellbeing. 

2. Helsinki, Finland

In second place, taking the silver medal, is Helsinki in Finland

Taking silver was Helsinki, the capital of Finland, which has often racked up awards as the world’s happiest country.

The main appeal here? Nature. With plenty of parks and trees built into the cityscape, there’s an average of around 1,356 square feet of green space per person – compared to some 450 square feet of public green space per person in London.

It leads the index for sleep quality, too, and is very walkable. It also scored highly for its calm ambience, safe streets and efficient transport. 

3. Orlando, US

Theme park paradise Orlando takes the third place bronze medal

Orlando is the theme park capital of the world – so it’s hardly a surprise it ranks highly for happiness.

It’s also among the greenest destinations in the US, with 2,777 square feet of green space per person – the highest figure in the index.

With 2,930 hours of sunshine a year, it’s also glorious weather-wise, with major attractions for visitors to enjoy in the sun – such as Universal Studios Florida, Universal Volcano Bay and Lake Eola Park.

4. Athens, Greece

Athens, the capital of Greece, scoops up the fourth place award in the Happiness Index

In fourth place, Athens boasts 2,773 hours of sunshine and plenty of history and culture for visitors to soak up.

It’s ranked as the most walkable destination in the study, with key attractions all accessible on foot, such as the Acropolis of Athens, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Panathenaic Stadium.

Food is top too, with nearly 10 per cent of restaurants serving healthy options and an excellent cafe culture on hand.

5. Edinburgh, Scotland

Rounding out the top five – and the only UK spot in the top 10 – is Edinburgh

The only UK spot making the top ten is Edinburgh, Scotland’s pretty capital.

The city emerged as one of the best mood-boosting destinations, scoring highly across various feel-good factors, with its food offering and greenery standing out in particular. 

It has 144 parks and green spaces, placing it among the UK’s greenest cities, and many spots to visit, including the Royal Botanic Garden and the trails of Pentland Hills Regional Park.

6. Madrid, Spain

Madrid, in Spain, takes the sixth place award in this year’s Happiness Index

Up next is Madrid, where the city enjoys 2,712 sunshine hours per year – and an almost unrivalled food scene.

The Spanish capital has many of its main attractions in close proximity, such as the Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market and Royal Palace.

With the famous El Retiro park nearby, visitors can also immerse themselves in nature while exploring the bustling city – a serious pull factor which not all European hubs can provide.

7. Vienna, Austria

Coming in position number seven is Austria’s capital city, Vienna

In seventh place is Vienna, a culture hub and gorgeous holiday destination. 

Vienna, crowned the world’s most liveable city in 2024, is also one of the world’s best to navigate while walking.

Flights from the UK take around two-and-a-half hours, and the City Airport Train connects travellers to the centre in roughly 16 minutes – making it easily accessible.

8. Budapest, Hungary

Number eight on the happiest holiday destinations list is Budapest, Hungary

In Budapest, pretty streets welcome visitors in, and popular tourist attractions in central areas add to the city’s appeal.

Szechenyi Thermal Bath, for instance, is one of Budapest’s biggest attractions, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each month who flock to bathe in its steaming 38C (100F) waters.

The city also ranks highly for quality sleep, outperforming every other destination in the top ten.

9. Oslo, Norway

Oslo, Norway comes in ninth place on the full ranking

Taking ninth place on the list is Oslo, known for its excellent quality of life.

Nature is at its best here, too, with a score of 114.7, beating other European destinations such as Lisbon, Athens and Edinburgh. 

Residents here also live for a long time: a study revealed Norwegian life expectancy is 83.31 years – above the 80.5 years average in Europe. 

10. Vilnius, Lithuania 

Rounding out the top 10 is Vilnius, Lithuania

Rounding out the top ten is a more surprising entry: Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

With great currency and banking infrastructure and abundant green space, it makes an excellent choice for those seeking a city-break. 

It’s even been ranked as one of Europe’s cheapest destinations in the 2026 Post Office City Costs Barometer.

Staying in Vilnius costs around £289 for a two-night trip, with great prices including £2.12 for coffee, £11.87 for a 48-hour travel card and many attractions with free entry.

Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been officially confirmed, one month after the star died aged 36. 

Panettiere died August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, in what authorities said was suspected as a drug ‘overdose.’ Her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were both at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead.

Now, a spokesman for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office has confirmed to The Daily Mail that Panettiere died from the ‘toxic effects’ of multiple drugs – including fentanyl.

A spokesman said, ‘An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.

‘The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. The manner of death has been ruled accident.

‘This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.’

Panettiere died August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, in what authorities said was suspected as a drug ‘overdose’. Pictured in LA in 2022 

Last week, insiders told TMZ authorities believed Panettiere had fatally consumed a single oxycodone pill laced with the deadly narcotic fentanyl. 

Panettiere had a ‘long time drug dealer’ in Los Angeles who she obtained narcotics from illegally, with oxycodone among them, sources told the outlet.

Authorities said that the day prior to her passing, Panettiere had taken multiple drugs she bought in Los Angeles before flying to South Carolina, where she was found dead the next day.

Panettiere’s rep said in a statement earlier this month, ‘As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise.

‘Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.’

The statement continued: ‘While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold.’

The late Heroes star’s rep concluded in saying that ‘the answers we are all seeking will come.’

On the day she died, first responders arrived at a Greenville, South Carolina, condo where attempts were made to resuscitate the actress, before she had been pronounced dead.

Hickerson’s lawyer Sloan Ellis said in a statement August 20 that ‘Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.

‘As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.’

Panettiere began acting as a child, appearing in soap operas, then gained wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.

Panettiere later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before starring as country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on Nashville.

She earned two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress on the show, while her singing produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Panettiere’s film credits include 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing, the comedy-drama film Raising Helen, and appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.

She had an 11-year-old daughter called Kaya following a life-threatening birth, and later gave full custody of the child to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Panettiere’s passing was announced by her father Skip Panettiere, who said in a statement: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.

‘She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.’

Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, subsequently said that officials responded to an apartment in the area after receiving a report of an ‘unresponsive female’ via a possible ‘drug overdose,’ subsequently determined to be Panettiere.

Savannah Guthrie has issued a desperate plea as the search for her missing mother nears the 48-hour mark.

The hosts of the Today show shared the latest updates in the search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, on air Tuesday morning: Investigators believe Nancy was likely taken from her Tucson home in the early hours of Sunday, she left her cell phone behind in her car, and Savannah has issued a call for prayers and help from the community.

Savannah said in an Instagram post shared Monday night: “We believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him.

“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. we need you.”

The TV host, who has been absent from the NBC morning show amid her mom’s disappearance, concluded the post by quoting a Bible verse: “‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us. Bring her home.”

Today show co-anchors Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones spoke about Savannah’s message during Tuesday’s show, with Jones saying: “I went to my phone and I saw Savannah’s post, and Savannah’s strength gave me strength. Her resolve, her faith.”

Carson Daly said, “I saw that post from Savannah last night, I hit my knees and prayed. I don’t think I’ve ever prayed for anything harder in my life.”

Nancy was reported missing Sunday at noon after she was absent from her usual church service.

“It is a race against time, and I hope that window hasn’t closed,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz during Tuesday’s show.

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Arizona investigators believe the mom, who has limited mobility and needs to take daily medication for her health, was taken from her home against her will.

Nanos told CBS News Monday, “I believe she was abducted, yes.” He added, “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”

In a statement reported on air, Savannah said in part: “I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

The next evidence being presented in the case will be in the form of “agreed facts” – that is, facts which both the prosecution and defence have agreed.

The court hears that in February 2016 Gravell stood trial for rape, and was acquitted. On the day he was found not guilty by a jury, the complainant in the current 2005 allegation contacted police and said she had identified Gravell from a recent newspaper article. The woman was subsequently interviewed by police, as well Gravell. In July 2016 police decided to take no further action.

In March 2022 a woman made a report to police saying she had read about Gravell’s previous trial, and had heard “gossip”.

The court heard that in June 2022 police reopened the case involving the 2005 allegation.

In February 2025 the third complainant in the current case was contacted by police after she had been in touch with a man called Adrian Brown on Facebook.

In April 2025 Gravell stood trial for rape in regard to two women.

In June 2025 the first complainant in the current trial contacted police indicating she had googled the April trial, and she was subsequently spoken to by police.

The court hears that in October 2025 Gravell was arrested and interviewed in relation to the first and third complainants in the current trial, answered “no comment” to all questions asked in both.

Around 12,000 counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes were also recovered

Thousands of cigarettes, tobacco and potentially dangerous children’s ‘squishy’ toys were seized during a day-long crime crackdown.

Council bosses in Bolton joined forces with police to launch the operation, which saw nine premises in the town visited with specialist sniffer dogs also used.

Around 12,000 counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes were seized, together with half a kilogram of hand-rolling tobacco and more than 500 ‘squishy’ toys that failed to meet UK safety standards.

The council estimated the value of the goods to be more than £14,500 and said investigations were ongoing.

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The operation formed part of Greater Manchester’s Operation Avro initiative.

Councillor Akhtar Zaman, the leader of Bolton Council, said: “By combining our resources and acting on intelligence from local communities, we are delivering real results, tackling crime, disrupting illegal activity and making our neighbourhoods safer places to live, work and visit.

“We would like to thank residents for their ongoing support and encourage anyone with concerns to continue reporting them so that we can take action together.”

Councillor Robert Morrisey, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “Counterfeit tobacco and non-compliant toys pose a real risk to consumers, the latter of course impacting children.

“I would like to thank our trading standards team and partner agencies for their work in removing these illegal goods from circulation and helping to keep our communities safe.”

It’s no secret that the creative arts industries are struggling financially right now. And for all the talk about stratospheric ticket pricing for big artists and festivals, the UK’s grassroots music venues – locations that allow smaller artists to tour and new acts to emerge who will one day play said festivals – are in a pretty dire position. Just look at the Music Venue Trust’s 2025 report, which found that 6,000 jobs had been lost and 30 venues had fully closed over the course of the year.

As our name suggests, The Independent is all about supporting projects that stray from the mainstream. That’s why this summer saw us team up with the Music Venue Trust to relaunch the Main Stage programme for the first time since 2024, allowing us to shine the spotlight on and support the country’s grassroots venues. We’ll be speaking to the people running the show at eight venues spanning the UK, talking to them about the importance of these spaces and what they need to stay afloat.

Each venue that features in the Main Stage series will be the subject of an article in The Independent, and receive £5,000 worth of ad inventory, along with design assets that they can use in their comms and marketing to highlight that they’re a Main Stage picked venue.

Located in Skelmersdale, E Rooms is an independent, music-based community hub serving the people of west Lancashire for a decade as of this year. On the one hand, the venue has everything touring and local musicians could dream of, with the 140-capacity venue featuring industry-standard sound and lighting and an atmospheric stage to perform on. But the other side of E Rooms is its beating local heart, a not-for-profit space where “music, arts and community can thrive side by side”.

Founded by a group of passionate local musicians who wanted to bring people together through creativity, E Rooms is a gig venue (and a great one at that). Yet it offers so much more to the people of Skelmersdale: music education, rehearsal spaces, SEND arts and music sessions, open mic nights and its own choir. “From day one, the aim has been simple: give Skelmersdale a safe, welcoming space where music, arts and community can thrive side by side,” Ste Horrocks, one of the team members behind the venue, tells The Independent.

The Independent: How would you describe E Rooms to a newcomer?

E Rooms is an out-of-town grassroots music venue that has a strong sense of community at its core. We offer a safe, inspiring creative space that is relaxed, welcoming and full of energy, with music happening in every available space, and people of all ages learning, rehearsing, creating and connecting.

Our vibrant 140-capacity stage room is fully wheelchair accessible and equipped with a professional, industry-standard PA system and lighting rig. We also offer three fully equipped rehearsal spaces that provide local musicians with everything they need to hone their craft, alongside local bands occupying our seven monthly-let rehearsal rooms, which are used daily.

The Independent: What are some of the biggest challenges you’re up against?

One of the biggest challenges we face is attracting bands to come and play our out-of-town venue. Geographically, we are right in between Manchester and Liverpool, and we’ve found that more established bands and their agents/promoters are reluctant to book a show at a venue that is not in a city centre. We also have challenges securing funding for new music and youth programmes, as well as core running costs. Keeping up with the rising prices of running a large community music hub takes an enormous amount of resources. Like many grassroots music venues, we’re constantly balancing our creative objectives with sustainability.

The Independent: What’s on the cards for E Rooms in the future?

We want to continue to grow our grassroots music venue by promoting and developing an original live music scene within a small town. We feel we do this by inspiring confidence and creativity, and exposing young people, especially those who struggle in traditional education, to live music. We want to support more bands and musicians to navigate the rocky road into the music industry, expand our alternative provision programmes, and build on collaborating with other creative organisations locally and nationally. We plan to open more doors than ever; everything we do is about opening doors for people who need a chance, a spark of creativity or just someone to believe in them.

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The Independent: What is it about running a music venue that makes it worthwhile?

The best part of running E Rooms is watching people grow: young people gaining confidence, new bands forming, artists developing, and community members supporting each other. We’re lucky to have incredible local backing, so people donate equipment, volunteer their time and help us keep the place alive. That sense of community, creativity and shared purpose is what makes all the hard work worthwhile. There’s a lot more to grassroots music than meets the eye, and we’re lucky enough to see it in action every day.

The Independent: What’s been one of your favourite recent gigs at the venue?

We’ve had brilliant established artists play here, including Mark Chadwick of The Levellers. But our favourite gigs are always the ones featuring new, upcoming bands, especially our E Rooms Academy bands. Right now, Skelmersdale has a genuinely healthy new band scene, full of raw energy and creativity. Watching these young musicians rehearse, learn, and then blow the audience away is what inspires us most. Every year, we host Skemfest in collaboration with a local social club – two days of live music from established and upcoming bands, outdoors in a field full of music fans. Seeing original local bands wow the crowd year after year pushes us to keep building and supporting this scene.

An enormous 30kg marrow and a metre-long carrot have netted their grower two coveted prizes at a local vegetable competition.

Mike Libby won the categories of longest carrot and heaviest marrow during judging at Stubton Village Hall in Lincolnshire.

Eleven hopefuls entered the competitive carrot category, with entries ranging in length from 170mm to an entire metre.

Mike took first place, followed by Ted Critchley and Cath Senior.

Mike said the longest carrot competition began as a small challenge between Ted Critchley and Ian Phillips before being opened up to the whole village around five years ago.

‘Certainly, when we kick it off, the whole village is told,’ Mike said.

Mike started the heaviest marrow challenge three years ago after being inspired by a friend who had a shop in the Lake District and was the north west giant marrow champion.

He said: ‘We went in a few years ago and he had this newspaper clipping displayed behind the counter of him with this giant marrow, which was nearly as big as he was.

‘So being a gardener, I was interested in that.

‘So we got to talking, and he gave me some seeds. So I invited other people in the village to have a go at growing a giant marrow.’

This year’s competition saw nine entries, with weights ranging from 8.5kg to 30.5kg, and the organiser took first place, followed by Lindsay Critchley and Tony Gelsthorpe.

Mike said the marrows were smaller than those entered last year, which he put down to the challenging weather.

He added that the giant marrows require a lot of space and that villagers are now ‘racking our brains’ to come up with other forms of competition.

He added: ‘The nice thing about the carrot and the potato competition that we run is that you can’t see until you unearth it.’

The potato-in-a-bucket competition attracted around 45 entrants, according to Mike.

The longest carrot and heaviest marrow competitions were measured and weighed by parish council chairman Sam Kirk, assisted by his son Ralph.

Ted Critchley said: ‘The weather has been particularly challenging for growers this year, but it’s all just for a bit of fun.’

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Francesca Allen wowed in her dramatic couture gown as she tied the knot while supported by her Love Island co-stars in Monaco. 

The reality star, 30, shot to fame on season five of the ITV2 series in 2019 and has since found love with family friend Ed Crossan, 36. 

After a legal ceremony in London last month, she jetted to Monaco for her incredible big day where she was flanked by bridesmaids including Elma Pazar and Georgia Steel as she sashayed down the aisle in a Eden Aharon dress.

The bridesmaids looked stunning in olive green slip dresses as they supported the stunning bride who wore a breathtaking corseted dress. 

The gown featured lace cups and a structured corset while dramatic hips extended from the racy sheer lace slip underneath which left little to the imagination. 

A series of videos on multi social media platforms gave a glimpse inside the wedding, including their arrival on a golf buggy and platters of cigarettes and matches. 

After a legal ceremony in London last month, she jetted to Monaco for her incredible big day where she was flanked bridemaids including Love Island co-stars Elma Pazar (left) and Georgia Steel (centre left) 

The bridesmaids looked incredible in their slinky gowns 

They stood with their bridal party, with Claudia standing out in pink 

Georgia referred to Francesca as her ‘angel’ alongside a montage of images from the day, where she joined four other pals as well as Elma as bridesmaids. 

Francesca’s sister Claudia, whose partner is Sam Faiers’ boyfriend Paul Knightley’s brother Tony, looked sensational in a pink gown. 

Despite joining the bridal party, Claudia opted against wearing the same dress as the other bridesmaids and instead wore the strapless dress.  

The reality star looked incredible as she emerged from the venue alongside her suited husband after six years of dating and a five-year engagement.

Ed, who previously dated TOWIE’s Amber Turner, is a family friend of the reality star. They knew each other for years through their families before things turned romantic.

He was named vice chairman of his father’s company Powerday, in January 2019 and is featured on the company’s website.

His working title is described on the website as: ‘Edward joined the family business in 2007, starting as a machine driver and has worked in various roles within the company to now being a director overseeing the development of the business’.

Francesca and Ed officially confirmed their romance in November 2021 after sharing holiday pictures from Dubai.

Francesca’s sister Claudia, whose partner is Sam Faiers’ boyfriend Paul Knightley’s brother Tony, looked sensational in a pink gown

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Despite joining the bridal party, Claudia opted against wearing the same dress as the other bridesmaids and instead wore the strapless dress

The guests were all using fans in the roasting heat 

The bridesmaids were seen dancing away 

Videos showed the finer details of the day including platters of cigarettes and personalised matches 

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The group posed for a final ‘fit check’ while wearing their glam green 

When one of her followers asked how long she and Ed had been dating, Francesca replied on social media: ‘This is a strange one. When someone’s your friend, you don’t necessarily date. There’s been times where I’m like, ‘Was that a date?’

‘In the past I used to get really freaked out and be like ‘Oh my god, was that a date? Was this a date? I’m so scared, this is my friend.’

She continued: ‘We would just FaceTime every day. We never got intimate, it was always just my friends with his friends and we would have the best times out together. That’s so weird… did I get friend zoned?’

‘It’s very complicateddddd haha there just came one point where we both just said shall we try this out and now look at usssss haha!’

Just seven weeks after going Instagram official, Francesca revealed they had gotten engaged.

Ed was seen wearing a white suit jacket with his black bowtie 

Francesca displayed every angle of the couture gown 

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The groomsmen looked dashing in black tie 

Georgia Steel looked stunning in her gown 

Francesca said yes to Ed’s proposal at Marylebone’s swanky members club Home House and shared images of the moment with her Instagram followers.

She gushed that it was the ‘best Christmas present a girl could ask for’.

The reality star then revealed that she had been dating Ed for 18 months before he popped the question but kept their relationship on the low.

She told OK!: ‘Obviously I kept Ed away from any social media and any platforms for a long time, because I just– I don’t know, he’s quite private anyway and he doesn’t have social media, and I also didn’t want to put him out there until I knew he was my 100%.

‘I’ve known [Ed] for so many years and it was so funny because the press was like ‘Oh Fran Allen engaged after three months’ or something, and I was like guys, little do you know, we’ve actually been together for a year and a half so…’

‘My Instagram page is mainly for fashion and I love him so much and I didn’t want people to try and ruin it,’ Francesca went on.