Prepare to be amazed and overwhelmed by these 12 incredible lakes that will take your breath away.

Sure, the sea is amazing but I always feel that lakes have a phenomenal stillness that makes you feel, well, calm.

Check out these magnificent lakes across the world, and should you feel compelled to go and experience their beauty first-hand then all the better!

1.    Masyuko lake, Hokkaido, Japan

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2.     Lake Umayo,  Sullistani, Peru

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3. Lake Pukuaki, South Island, New Zealand

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4.    Tso Moriri Lake, Kashmir, India

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5.    Laguna Verde, Sud Lípez,  Bolivia

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6.    Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada

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7. Lake Matheson, South Island, New Zealand

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8.    Pakhal lake,  Pogallapalle, India

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9.    Lake Como, Bellagio, Italy

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10. Long Lake, Minnesota

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11. Lake Diablo, North Cascades, Washington

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12.  Lone Pine Lake, Whitney Portal, California

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Visited any of these magnificent lakes? Got more recommendations for fantastic lake destinations? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming up…. the most incredible caves in the world. Don’t miss out, sign up for free updates below!

Money, love, freedom – happiness means something different to everyone. But where in the world are we most likely to find it??

I often wonder if certain countries are simply happier than others. Yes, is the answer to this question!

Check out this list of the Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World, based on a recent study.*

And if you fancy setting off on a quest for true happiness, our tip is to head for northern Europe…

Who is the Happiest of Them All?

1.    Denmark
2.    Finland
3.    Netherlands
4.    Sweden
5.    Ireland
6.    Canada
7.    Switzerland
8.    New Zealand
9.    Norway
10.  Belgium

Been to any of these countries? Was everyone on happy pills? Got more recommendations for happy countries??

Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming up…. the World’s Most Miserable Countries. Don’t miss out! SIGN UP for free blog updates via RSS or email to the right of this page.

Photo: Happy people in Denmark by Flottenheimer

*List taken from happiness research conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.