TORONTO — A vacation is meant to reduce stress, not bring more of it on. So when Zipjet, a UK-based tech company, came out with a list of the world’s least stressful cities, strung-out travellers around the world sat up and took notice.

The company, which develops technology to reduce daily stresses, studied 500 global destinations using such criteria as traffic, security and mental health issues. What they found is that Europe – which contributed nine out of the 10 top spots – is where you want to be if you’re feeling the daily grind.

Coming in at #1 is Stuttgart, Germany, which scored high marks in security, family purchase power, green spaces and equality, reports Viva Lifestyle and Travel. As the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart – although known for being a manufacturing hub – is filled with parks and green spaces, and is home to one of the largest zoos and botanical gardens in Europe.

The Palace of Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart is one of Germany’s largest Baroque palaces

View of the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, one of the leading Gallerys in Europe.

Congratulations, Stuttgart!

The top 10 list is as follows:

1. Stuttgart, Germany
2. Luxembourg, Luxembourg
3. Hanover, Germany
4. Bern, Switzerland
5. Munich, Germany
6. Bordeaux, France
7. Edinburgh, United Kingdom
8. Sydney, Australia
9. Hamburg, Germany
10. Graz, Austria