Where? Sardinia

Average Life Expectancy: 82 years
Official Language: Italian

Sardinia is considered the first “Blue Zone” identified in 2004. According to the Blue Zone’s website, researchers discovered a “rare genetic quirk” carried by lots of its inhabitants, which is linked to the population’s hearty longevity.

But it’s not just genetics that makes the destination’s residents special. As the website notes, people who live in Sardinia tend to have a very active lifestyle and still fish, hunt, and harvest most of their food locally.

The community eats an essentially healthy diet that consists of whole-grain bread, beans, garden vegetables, fruits, and mastic oil, which are necessary for heart health. Also worth noting: “They laugh and drink wine together!”