Here in the States, a lot of folks are lucky to get a vacation from work, let alone paid vacation. In 2012, Americans took an average of 12 day off work during the whole year, and according to the Labor Department only   59 percent of US workers have access to any paid time off. In fact, the United States is the only major developed country that doesn’t require companies to provide employees with a minimum number of vacation days. Sucks to be us, I guess.

Now imagine a world where you’re actually required to take vacation—or better yet, required to take five whole weeks each year. How fucking sweet would that be, right? Well, believe it or not, a lot of our global neighbors have it just that good. According to Mercer, 60 countries, as well as Hong Kong, require vacation time for all workers.

How awesome would it be to work in Austria and get 42 days of paid vacation every year? And the boss can’t tell you ‘no’? Hellz to the yeah. Of course there’s probably not enough jobs in the nation for all of us here in the US, but never fear, Brazil and France each require 30 days of vacation for workers, and the United Kingdom mandates its workers take 29 days of holiday each year.

Of the 25 countries rated by EmploymentLawHQ.com, the US rated the worst in terms of required vacation with, unfortunately, zero. Hell, even communist China and Vietnam require workers receive five and 12 vacation days, respectively, each year. No wonder Americans are such stressed-out assholes.

Want to make sure you receive a proper greeting on your next vacation? The World Economic Forum just released a new report ranking the world’s friendliest nations, and you may be surprised by some of the results. The report examines 140 nations based on their attractiveness and competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry. One factor examined in the 500-page report is the local attitude toward tourists. Nations were scored from one—locals made foreign visitors feel “very unwelcome”—to seven for “very welcome.” But the rankings weren’t just based off of local citizens’ attitudes. They also included factors such as tourism infrastructure, including transportation and attractions; preservation and development of natural resources; business travel appeal and safety.

1: Iceland was rated the friendliest nation in the world to travelers. And it better be friendly if it wants to attract any tourists. With frigid temperatures and active volcanos, the glacier-covered nation must overcompensate with its natural beauty and bubbly attitudes if anyone is going to dare visit the tiny nation of just 318,000 people.

2: The island nation of New Zealand ranked No. 2 on the list. The Maori culture welcomes visitors to the nation with its unique species and distinctive arts. Plus, a mild and temperate climate is welcoming to travelers all year long.

3: The Kingdom of Morocco is the most welcoming African nation. With its Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and rugged mountain interior, Morocco offers a beautiful landscape for tourists to explore. Home to Casablanca, travelers shouldn’t be frightened off by Morocco’s 98-percent Muslim population. After all, its name translates literally to “The West.”

4: Macedonia, located in Europe’s Balkan peninsula, was voted the fourth-friendliest nation in the world. Formerly a part of Yugoslavia, residents are probably thankful to be out from behind the Iron Curtain. But it also has some bright spots to visit. With 1,100 sources of water, Macedonia’s many rivers flow into the Aegean, Adriatic and Black Seas. In fact, the country has nine spa towns and resorts. The nation also boasts a rich cultural heritage in art, architecture, poetry and music, as well as many ancient, protected religious sites.

5: Home to many famous composers, Austria is apparently a very friendly place to visit. Located amongst the Alps, Austria has made tremendous contributions to the arts, and its citizens are probably still thankful they got out from under Hitler. You’d be friendly, too.

US citizens should be ashamed of themselves. We ranked 102^nd out of the 140 nations on the list. Apparently we aren’t very kind to tourists. The stigma we’ve applied to immigrants probably doesn’t help our attitudes much. We’d better watch it, or natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful won’t be enough to entice tourists into our nation.

For every friendly nation, there’s got to be one that’s full of assholes. The most Unfriendly nation in the world is Bolivia, followed by Venezuela and the Russian Federation. Of the top 10 most unfriendly nations, in fact, two are in South America, four are former members of the Soviet Union, three are in the Middle East and then there’s Mongolia—and who really wants to go there, anyway.

Bolivia Road Of Death

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index has once again named its happiest—and most miserable—cities in America. The group annually rates regions on factors such as physical and emotional health, healthy behavior, work environment and basic access and life evaluation. According to the organization, public and private sector leaders use its data to help their communities thrive and grow. Likewise, journalists, academics and medical experts benefit from the resource to inform their research and reporting.

This year according to a survey of 1.7 million Americans, Lincoln, Neb. topped the list as the happiest community in the nation. Residents scored higher based on lower obesity levels and higher education levels. More than 93 percent of the adult population in Lincoln has obtained at least a high school diploma and only 4 percent of workers are unemployed. More than 94 percent of workers surveyed said they enjoyed their work environment. Almost 86 percent said they worked in a trusting environment, and 76 percent thought their city was becoming a better place.

Boulder, Colo. ranked the second-happiest city in America. They were some of the least-likely Americans to smoke and had some of the lowest obesity rates. More than 85 percent of Boulder residents reported no health problems. Plus, almost 94 percent of Boulder adults have obtained at least a high school education, and median household income exceeds $68,000 a year.

The third-happiest city in America is Burlington-South, Vt. Almost 96 percent of Burlington residents reported health insurance coverage—more than any other area in the country. Likewise, residents were rated the second-healthiest in the nation, according to the Gallup index. And with almost 94 percent of adults having obtained at least a high school diploma, the area is one of the most highly-educated in the nation. In fact, the University of Vermont is one of the area’s largest employers.

Provo-Orem, Utah is fourth on the list, with 77 percent of survey respondents reporting their city improving compared to just 52 percent nationwide. Education plays a large factor in the area—home to Brigham Young University, the area’s largest employer in 2012. Residents were highly likely to enjoy their work environments and also likely to report they learned something new and feel happy within the past day.

The fifth-happiest city in America is Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo. Fort Collins residents rated their work environments high and were some of the most highly-educated respondents in the nation—no doubt a correlation from Colorado State University being the largest employer in the city. Plus, more than 94 percent of residents said they were satisfied with their city—tied for the highest score in the nation in that category—and more than 94 percent also reported at least a high school education, with more than 42 percent having obtained a bachelor’s degree.

“When you have highly educated residents, that works towards your well-being in a lot of ways,” said Dan Withers, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Of course, for every happy city there has to be a miserable city. And in 2013 the most miserable city in America, according to the Gallup-Healthways survey, is Charleston, W.Va. Charleston residents reported feelings of sadness, worry and stress. They were also among the most likely to smoke and had little access to exercise. Likewise, Charleston is the second-most obese metro-area in America.

What makes Melbourne so great? For starters, it’s seated on Australia’s beautiful Yarra River, so it not only has great scenery, but it’s an excellent spot for water sports and boating.

Melbourne also features cutting-edge architecture, such as the Digital Harbour Port 1010, the Arts Melbourne spire and the Melbourne Recital Center.

Image via Jason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock

The city is full of parks and gardens, including Royal Park, a public area covering 420 acres.

Image via Mercantile Cricket Association

Literary culture is alive in Melbourne. Its literary festivals, books stores, publishers and history of award-winning authors make it a UNESCO City of Literature.

Image via Neale Cousland/Shutterstock

The city also pays homage to its Aboriginal roots through many galleries and museums. Home to many cultures, Melbourne boasts a large indigenous community known as the Kulin Nation.

Melbourne’s 150-mile tram network, one of the best in the world, makes traveling around the city especially easy.

Image via Neale Cousland/Shutterstock

The Queen Victoria Market—open in Melbourne since 1878—is one of Australia’s best and biggest open air shopping markets.

The Crown Casino—with its license for 500 table games and an hourly fire show—helps make Melbourne the largest gambling center in the southern hemisphere.

Image via Jason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock

Each year Melbourne hosts Big Day Out, one of the largest nationwide music festivals, where a variety of local and well-known international bands perform.

Image via Neale Cousland/Shutterstock

Sporting enthusiasts can find plenty to entertain in Melbourne, as well. The city hosts the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix each March, as well as the Australian Open, one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments in the world.

Image via zstock/Shutterstock

Melbourne has a pleasantly moderate climate. In the summer temperatures generally reach the upper-70s to low-80s, and in the winter the thermometer rarely drops below 60 degrees.

Who wouldn’t want to relax on the white sandy beaches of Cancun, surrounded by the crystalline blue-green waters of the Caribbean? Well, thanks to some good ol’ fashioned stereotypes, quite a few people. The Mexican resort city has become synonymous with spring break and partying coeds, which might scare off families and couples seeking a romantic getaway. But the party-till-you-puke mantra only tells part of Cancun’s story, and the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun is located on the opposite end of the famous shoreline, away from larger, noisier resorts and perfectly positioned to offer an intimate, luxurious experience.

Mexico’s only Ritz-Carlton and the only AAA Five Diamond resort in North America, Cancun’s Ritz-Carlton includes 365 rooms, a full-service spa and two AAA Five Diamond restaurants.

Cancun isn’t just known for its beaches, but also for the Mayan archaeological sites along the Yucatan Peninsula. The Ritz-Carlton offers a calendar of Mayan-themed activities as well as an on-site travel agency to organize exciting excursions by foot or helicopter.

For special occasions, guests can reserve a three-bedroom ocean front suite, located adjacent to the spa and featuring a private swimming pool. The 1,900-square-foot space was created from two smaller suites and designed especially for a Hollywood A-lister who visited the resort. In addition to luxurious baths, dining and living spaces, the suite also offers access to a secluded section of beach.

Other guests might prefer the 2,460-square-foot Presidential Suite, which includes its own Jacuzzi and a huge private terrace overlooking the ocean, as well as access to the Club Lounge.

The hotel also boasts Club Level suites on the eighth and ninth floors that provide guests dedicated concierge staff, and the Club Lounge which offers guests light food and beverage options any time they wish. All guests rooms include modern amenities such as on-demand video offerings and iPod docking stations.

Guests who prefer to hang out at the hotel during their vacation can lay poolside at two outdoor pools or an oceanfront whirlpool. They can also take advantage of hotel activities, including cooking and tennis lessons or beach yoga.

[Images via Ritz-Carlton]

As long as they’ve been taking flight, people have been trying to join the infamous Mile High Club. It’s made its way into literature, television, film and music, but the elite membership is more than fiction. According to a 2008 Time Magazine report, airline passengers have gotten creative with blankets, empty seats and airplane lavatories, among other methods, in order to find romance in the skies. But one anonymous flight attendant told Business Insider passengers should keep in mind the absolute filthiness of airline toilets before choosing the location for their rendezvous.

“Yes people try to join the mile high club,” she said. “Let me tell you something, those toilets are FILTHY. Absolute FILTH. People shit in the sinks.”

Yuck. And they’re tiny, so it’s not like you can really screw around in there and avoid the sink and the toilet. Again, yuck.

But, hey, don’t think you have to miss out on joining the ranks of the club that boasts members such as… does anybody really know? One UK charter company is determined to bridge a gap in the market, launching the nation’s first Luxury Mile High Club Experience and allowing residents to bone in the sky with style.

Customers may charter one of wish.co.uk’s eight-seater jets for £4,999–$7,500—and they will be taken in a private, executive car to the nearest airport where the jet will await them. Once on board, they will be met with champagne, chocolates, music and rose petals in their private cabins, as well as a private flight attendant. The trip lasts about an hour, so foreplay should be kept at a minimum if membership is to be achieved.

The UK firm is definitely not the first to originate the Mile High charter concept, however. An Atlanta company, Mile High Atlanta, offered a similar service for just $379, which included a bottle of champagne and a mattress in the back of the plane. The company advertised a certificate of accomplishment for new members, as well as allowing them to keep their sheets as souvenirs (thank goodness for that!), but its Web site is no longer a valid URL.

Still, the whole idea sounds a lot better than a quick screw straddled atop an airplane toilet. But where’s the excitement? Isn’t half the fun of joining the Mile High Club the thrill of avoiding exposure? Can it truly be as exciting without watching the green “occupied” marker on the bathroom door to ensure no one is able to get inside? Sure, comfort and luxury are nice, but that’s just as available at the Four Seasons.

“I think it depends,” said Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of the new book, “The Mile High Club: Plane Sex Stories.” “Anyone who’s horny and creative enough can find a way to do it. The key to joining the mile-high club is having a sense of naughtiness and adventure, and if you have that you’ll find a way to do it.“

[Images via Wish.co.uk]

Image via SeanPavonePhoto/Shutterstock

Travel Leaders Group just released the results of its annual Travel Trends survey. Conducted Nov. 19 to Dec. 16, the results are based on responses from 930 Travel Leaders Group owners, managers and frontline travel experts from throughout the U.S. The survey asked respondents about their favorite airports for connecting flights, business travel services, amenities, dining and families with children.

“Major airports have transformed considerably in the last decade to accommodate the shift in the amount of time travelers spend there. More amenities have been added to appeal to travelers – and in many cases, to occupy their time – while they wait for their flights,” stated Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben. “At some of the busiest airports around the United States, there has been an explosion in service such as mini spas and salons, along with a retooling of the retail space toward higher-end goods and electronics. The most significant change has been in the dining options. While food courts still exist, there are more and more health-conscious options and a real trend toward upscale cafés, restaurants and bars. In our survey, we wanted to see which airports seem to resonate most positively with our clients in number of categories.”

Best Airports for Connecting Flights:
1. Atlanta
2. Charlotte
3. Dallas/Fort Worth
4. Houston Intercontinental
5. Detroit
6. Minneapolis/St. Paul
7. Chicago O’Hare
8. Phoenix
9. Denver
10. (tie) New York – JFK
10. (tie) Salt Lake City

Best Airports for Business Travel Services
1. Atlanta
2. Chicago O’Hare
3. Dallas/Fort Worth
4. Minneapolis/St. Paul
5. New York – JFK
6. Detroit
7. Houston Intercontinental
8. Los Angeles
9. New York – LaGuardia
10. (tie) Newark
10. (tie) San Francisco
10. (tie) Washington D.C. – Dulles

Best Airports for Amenities
1. Atlanta
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Chicago O’Hare
4. Dallas/Fort Worth
5. Las Vegas

Best Airports for Dining
1. Atlanta
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Chicago O’Hare
4. Dallas/Fort Worth
5. San Francisco

Best Airports for Families with Kids
1. Orlando
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Atlanta
4. Chicago O’Hare
5. Dallas/Fort Worth

Consider yourself among today’s aristocracy? The Chateau de Varennes may be perfect for you. The 17-bedroom luxury villa is located among the most prestigious of France’s country vineyards and exudes 18th Century elegance. Although the estate was owned for 300 years by the aristocratic Truchis family, it has recently been renovated to include a modern kitchen, 12 bathrooms, a swimming pool and designer interiors that stay true to the mansion’s grandiose history.

In spite of the estate’s authentic preservation, it offers modern amenities such as WiFi, a high-quality sound system and satellite television. Families with young children will enjoy the play room equipped with a flat-screen TV that accommodates any major game consoles, including Nintendo Wii, Xbox and Playstation.

The chateau’s 17 bedrooms offer a range of spaces from king suites to twin bedrooms, and each is refurbished to meet five-star hotel standards. The chateau is available to rent for professional or personal occasions and offers services to be expected from any five-star accommodation.

Guests’ luggage will be carried in by the houseboy, who will also act as the valet. Maids will bring guests freshly-squeezed juice poolside and clean guest rooms daily between breakfast and dinner. Meals are cooked by the villa chef, who can also cater to large groups for events.

The chateau’s own concierge service can also be used for large events, including weddings. In fact, CNN recently named the Chateau de Varennes one of the world’ Top 10 best wedding venues. Its large reception hall can accommodate up to 250 guests and its vineyard views provide for memorable wedding photos.

[Images via Burgundy Chateau]

Twelve at Hengshan recently opened as the first five-star hotel within Shanghai’s Hengshan Road neighborhood. The area, full of history-filled plane trees imported from France in the early 20th Century, romantic avenues and low-rise buildings, is the perfect fit for the five-story rectangular building.

Twelve at Hengshan is built around an traditional Chinese “secret garden” and is finished with more than 20,000 natural terracotta tiles imported from Italy. The interior was designed by Yabu Pushelberg—who also created San Francisco’s St. Regis and Times Square’s W. New York— parallel the district’s Chinese meets contemporary design motif.

The hotel’s 171 guestrooms include large windows overlooking the secret garden and cityscape, many with private balconies. Twelve at Hengshan also features a 338 square-meter presidential suit. Rooms offer guests large marble bathrooms, complete with deep-soaking tubs and luxury bath products.

Hotel guests also have access to spa facilities, a heated indoor pool—complete with three jacuzzies— and a fitness center. Twelve at Henshan also features two signature restaurants, meeting space, a ballroom and two banquet rooms.

[Images via Starwood Hotels]

Whether it’s a private romantic getaway or a memorable family vacation, Oahu’s North Shore, Turtle Bay offers a unique Hawaiian experience that can’t be found elsewhere on the island. Although it shares Oahu with Waikiki beach, the North Shore couldn’t be more different. North Shore offers a private oasis, with only one hotel and none of the crowds of Honolulu.

The Turtle Bay Resort sits alone on the North Shore, offering 840 acres of pools, coves, tennis courts, riding paths and stables. It is isolated in its own cove at the end of the North Shore and all guest rooms offer a waterfront view. Turtle Bay guests can enjoy surfing lessons and wading pools perfect for small children. The Shark’s Cove and Turtle Bay are perfect for watching sea turtles in their natural home. Children can enjoy pony rides on the beach, while adults can ride horses. The resort offers fishing trips complete with guides, as well as tractor pulls and nature walks down the beach.

[Images via Turtle Bay Resort]