These are the best holiday destinations in Europe for embracing a longevity lifestyle

Living a long life doesn't have to involve expensive treatments or supplements. Rather, it's about following basic principles, which many people in certain "blue zone" regions such as Ikaria in Greece and Sardinia in Italy already do. These regions share common habits like walking frequently, consuming simple foods, and being part of a tight-knit community.

If you're interested in adopting a longevity lifestyle, CV Villas has compiled a ranking of the best European destinations for this purpose. They analyzed approximately 100 destinations based on various lifestyle factors from Dan Buettner's 'Power 9' Blue Zone research. This analysis resulted in a longevity score out of 100 for each location.

The factors considered included walkability, pace of life, availability of vegan-friendly restaurants and wineries per capita, and community indicators such as cafés and churches per capita. According to Hannah Marshall, marketing manager at CV Villas, these destinations provide everything that a restful holiday should offer: good food, a strong community, and a pace of life that allows for relaxation.

The top 20 longevity destinations in Europe are largely concentrated in Malta, with four out of the top 20 cities located there. Valletta, Malta's capital, topped the list thanks to its walkability and its numerous cafes offering sociable dining experiences. Paxos in Greece was the second-ranked destination, praised for its close-knit, unhurried community life and walkability. The third and fourth spots went to St. Tropez in France and Eger in Hungary, respectively.

Eger, a historic town in Hungary, is not only walkable but also boasts a moderate and friendly drinking culture. Locals often gather at local taverns to enjoy the famous Bull's Blood red wine blend, a practice believed to contribute to longevity.