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This Nordic country, with a population of 5.5 million, has topped the ranking of the World's Happiest Countries for two consecutive years. This ranking is from the "World Happiness Report," published by the United Nations on March 20, 2019 (International Happiness Day). The ranking is based on assessments from citizens in 156 countries using criteria such as life expectancy and social welfare. But how is this possible in a country with long, bleak winters where temperatures can drop to -50 degrees Celsius?oC?
The first clue to answering that question will come when you follow the example of the locals: meditate on a flat rock overlooking the sea at Kivinokka – a leisure and relaxation center with beaches and summer cafes in the bay area of Helsinki. Almost immediately, the hustle and bustle of everyday life will be pushed far away from your world.
Not only is Finland unique for its 24-hour darkness, but it's also a place where you can enjoy the midnight sun. After the long, harsh winter months, the sun never sets from May to August. During this time, you can admire the stunning red and yellow hues of the night sun. Try enjoying this view at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi – a new, elegant hotel in the heart of Helsinki, with breakfast featuring local specialties such as grilled white fish, smoked cheese, reindeer sausage and pâté served with oatmeal, lingonberries, honey, or Archipelago barley bread.
Winter in Finland also has its own charm, evoking a love for warming up in cozy homes and reading. At the Oodi Central Library, you'll be captivated not only by its collection of over 100,000 books, magazines, newspapers, 3D printers, films, and video games, but also by the library's magnificent architecture. It truly is an ideal destination for a day trip in the truest sense of the word.
You can also experience other simple pleasures at Nuuksio National Park, a 45-minute drive northwest of Helsinki. A guided tour will take you along one of the park's eight most beautiful nature trails, encouraging you to search for and taste the herbs along the way. At the end of the trip, you'll be guided in making herbal tea from the very herbs you've picked.
Continuing northeast to Punkaharju, you can enjoy breathtaking scenery while cycling around and relax at a comfortable hotel – the Punkaharju Hotel. The hotel dates back to 1845, when Russian Tsar Nicholas I ordered the construction of a forest retreat. The magical, tranquil lakeside setting explains why former supermodel Saimi Hoyer decided to move here and run this hotel.
You should also visit Luosto, a town known as the "museum of Finland's forests," famous for its tree species such as spruce and pine. Besides the "land of a thousand lakes," Finland is also home to thousands of forests, with 70% of the country's land covered by trees, contributing to Finland having some of the cleanest air in the world.
At cafes in Finland, you'll also be impressed to learn that people in this country drink more coffee than people in any other country.
Even more memorable is the fact that this country has over 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million. A fun sauna experience that Finns will recommend when visiting Punkaharju is jumping into a cold pool after exiting the sauna. Finns believe that this will energize your body, leaving you feeling as vibrant and excited as you were during your time in their country.
After all those experiences, a smile and excitement will always be on your face. And you will no longer have to wonder why the people here are so happy!
