Who Wants To Live Forever?

Blue Zones: what they are, why they matter, and how to visit them

Have you heard of “Blue Zones”—and more importantly, why should you care? There are five recognized pockets of the world where a surprising number of people live into their 90s and 100s, not bedridden or managing a dozen prescriptions, but walking, socializing, and cooking like it’s just another Tuesday. 

It’s a concept popularized by National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, but he didn’t uncover a secret potion; he observed patterns. Daily movement instead of gym culture. Beans and plants over heavy meat. Purpose-driven days. A clear sense of purpose, tight social connections, and faith or ritual to keep stress in check. In some places, a small glass of wine; in others, none at all. Longevity, it turns out, is the result of ordinary habits practiced consistently—not bio-hacks or wellness fads.

If travel is your classroom, these five destinations let you learn the Blue Zone lifestyle by living it.

Okinawa, Japan

Sea air, home gardens, and a pace built around purpose rather than productivity. Meals lean on purple sweet potatoes, tofu, bitter melon, and seaweed, with portions guided by hara hachi bu—which means eating until you’re 80% full. Community moai (tight social groups) keep loneliness at bay.

• Share homestyle dishes like goya champuru and ishigaki soba.
• Paddle or snorkel near the Kerama Islands, then stroll local markets—movement happens naturally here.
• Ask about moai at community centers and pay attention to how aging is social, not solitary.

Sardinia (Barbagia/Ogliastra), Italy

Shepherd trails and hilltop villages mean daily climbs without calling it exercise. Meals feature minestrone, barley bread, pecorino, and a small glass of Cannonau wine. Social connection plays out in public piazzas, not online.

• Hike near Tiscali or Baunei for heart-healthy hills.
• Eat like locals—fregola, greens, beans, pecorino, and maybe a glass of red.
• Spend time in mural-filled Orgosolo and watch conversations stretch without hurry.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Residents of this sun-soaked corner of Guanacaste live on beans, corn tortillas, and purpose. Locals speak of plan de vida—a reason to get up each morning. Life rhythms follow tide and daylight, not calendar alerts.

• Start your day with gallo pinto and tortillas—fiber beats fads.
• Walk or surf at Playa Guiones or Nosara; ocean movement doubles as meditation.
• Visit Chorotega pottery workshops and hear how tradition fuels purpose.

Ikaria, Greece

A rugged Aegean island where clocks matter less than company. Plates are stacked with wild greens, beans, sourdough, and local olive oil; evenings stretch into music-filled village gatherings called panigyria. Hike cliffside trails, soak in the hot springs at Therma, and trade late nights for long mornings with mountain tea.

• Soak in the thermal springs at Therma and hike to the monastery of Theoktistis.
• Dine late on wild greens, beans, and Ikarian sourdough; finish with herbal tea, not haste.
• Time your visit with a village panigyri festival—music, dancing, and community in full view.

Loma Linda, California, USA

Home to a large Seventh-day Adventist community where life centers around faith, rest, and plant-based diets. Saturdays are quiet; Sundays often include group hikes and simple meals.

• Walk Hulda Crooks Park—named after a 91-year-old Mount Fuji climber.
• Try plant-forward meals at local Adventist cafés.
• Expect a pause on Saturdays—use it for rest, not errands.

Why travel this way?

Longevity isn’t a spa weekend; it’s the sum of ordinary choices. Blue Zone trips nudge you toward those choices: meals that favor beans over meat, days paced by walking and conversation, evenings that end without a screen’s glow. You bring the lessons home because they’re practical, not trendy.

Ready to travel with purpose—not just a passport? Plan a route through one—or several—of these places, and let the routine be the reward.