Dish to try: Minestrone soup with cannelloni beans, red and white.
Where to stay: Buettner books the 12-room, family-run Nascar Hotel located 150 feet from the beach and less than 20 miles from the nearest Blue Zone. The closest resort area, Costa Smeralda, is about two hours north and home to amenity-laden resorts such as Petra Segreta on the coast and Cortis Antigas and Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru, both two hours inland in the countryside.
Ikaria, GreeceGetty Images
Ikaria, Greece
This rocky outcropping in the Aegean has maintained a trapped-in-time feel despite being just over a two-hour ferry ride from the party island of Mykonos. Of all of the Blue Zones, this is Buettner’s personal favourite because of the welcoming people, gorgeous beaches and excellent hiking. One in three residents live to their 90s due in part to their Mediterranean diet and other habits like regular naps and domino games with neighbours.
Dish to try: Hummus, made from scratch with garbanzo beans.
Where to stay: Buettner is a regular at Thea’s Inn, a five-room family-run spot in the northwestern village of Nas, perched above one of the island’s prettiest beaches. The inn offers Blue Zones cultural immersion experiences throughout the year. He also recommends the accommodations at Karimalis Winery, another family-run location on a working vineyard that offers cooking classes.
Okinawa, Japan
Although delisted as an actual Blue Zone, Buettner still believes there are lessons to be learned from visiting Okinawa, particularly from the local diet and strong social networks. The prefecture consists of more than 150 islands, many of which are home to beautiful beaches, hiking trails and waterfalls.
Dish to try: Okinawans eat soybeans twice a day. Get your fix from edamame or tofu.
Where to stay: Buettner likes to hole up at the 17-room Fusaki Beach Resort on the island of Ishigaki. Hoshinoya Resort faces golden sand beaches on the main Okinawan island of Naha and offers a special Blue Zones package.
Loma Linda, California
Buettner suggests taking a day trip to this Seventh-day Adventist community located one hour east of Los Angeles. He credits their strict, faith-based lifestyle of 24-hour Sabbath, no drinking, no smoking and a vegetarian diet for their longevity.
Dish to try: Pop into the Loma Linda Market and order the Popeye smoothie, a combo of spinach, kale, pineapple, apple and banana, from the juice bar.
Where to stay: Palm Springs is 50 miles southeast and is part of the Blue Zones Activate initiative, which aims to make residents healthier. Base yourself at Life House Palm Springs, a mid-century desert hideaway, or just outside town at a health-focused luxury retreat, Sensei Porcupine Creek.
