Travel in city Helsinki

When the very first Helsinki Biennial launched in 2021, it was a pretty local affair as the world was just emerging from the Covid 19 pandemic. So this year’s biennial, that runs until the fall, is in effect the first one to attract the world’s art lovers. And it’s free, in part to promote Helsinki’s visual art scene at home and abroad. While Helsinki has a long history of design and architecture, contemporary Finnish art is not as well known. The biennial aims to redress this and it has done so by transforming the Finnish capital into a vibrant hub of creativity. From awe-inspiring sculptures to mind-bending installations and captivating performances, this new biennial embraces both established and emerging artists in a mesmerizing showcase of artistic excellence.

Why is Finland consistently ranked as the world's happiest country? Plan a trip to the Nordic nation and find out for yourself what makes Finns tick.

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise.

With swimmable harbours in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and across Denmark’s cities, not to mention plenty of ways to enjoy the sea, from kayaking to urban fishing, there’s often a seaside air to Nordic cities in summer, and especially in Oslo.

Instead of a four-hour road trip from Koman to Fierzë, relax and enjoy the Albanian fjords via the Drin River. We reversed on to the Berisha ferry, which takes 10 cars, plus foot passengers. Everyone sits on deck, regardless of the weather, to take in the views, which began with an incredibly straight white line high in the rock, showing the water level during the rainy season. The scenery was magnificent with forest-clad hills and high, rocky mountains with various coloured strata. Occasionally, a remote, isolated house could be seen. After two hours, we began spotting small tourist boats and hardy kayakers before arriving at Fierzë.Roy Messenger

The flight time is approximately two hours and 10 minutes.

I recently flew back-to-back on two countries' flag carriers in Europe: British Airways and Finnair.

I recently traveled all the way from New York City to Finland's northernmost municipality of Utsjoki for a chance to see the aurora lights.

Solo traveling isn’t exactly a new concept. In fact, according to results from the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study, an estimated 24 percent of those who travel tend to jet off on solo vacations instead of planning trips with friends or family. Solo traveling is an excellent way to get to know yourself, to focus on problem-solving, and of course to see the world without waiting on anyone else or making compromises.

Paris has long been a city that lovers love, whether you’re proposing marriage, celebrating an anniversary, or looking for an affair to remember. To fire up the passion the next time you’re in the City of Light, Forbes Travel Guide has named the most romantic hotels in Paris—each with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

Whether you’ve recently started regular yoga classes and want to take your newfound knowledge to the next level or are a complete novice still figuring out the difference between a warrior and tree pose, a yoga retreat can be a great way to deep-dive into this multidisciplinary practice with roots in ancient India

A sleeper train renaissance is underway in Europe and night services are set to be one of the most popular ways to travel in 2024. New routes are connecting the continent’s buzziest cities with improved comforts like WiFi, coffee and breakfast included in the ticket price. The new night trains are also boosting the no-fly movement by offering a more sustainable alternative with a lower carbon footprint than car journeys and flights.

I'm wearing a barbie-pink bathing suit, but there are no palm trees in sight. The snow has just stopped falling and I can see broken chunks of iceberg inching toward the ship I'm on. The ambient temperature is 29 Fahrenheit. As I step to the edge of the gangway of Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Voyager, panic sets in. The air whips against my bare skin. The water below is a dark azure, its depths unimaginable. It's my turn to jump, but I stand frozen in fear as a flurry of intrusive thoughts take over. Then I think about how bereft my Antarctica experience will be if I don't do the hard thing that I've come all this way for.

A museum store – but not as you know it... The minute you spot the enormous mirrored ark that is Rotterdam’s Depot, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. Open to the public, its Escher-like staircases are designed to encourage visitors to get lost; to discover objects from below, from above, to look at the backs of pictures. Tours (you get to wear a white coat for this bit) give visitors insight into the storage of objects and the complex process of a museum loan. And when you are full of wonder, you can fill up on delicious teas and food at the rooftop restaurant, enjoying city views from the roof garden. Tickets are €20.Lydia Thornley

On Monday, one European airline started inviting passengers to ‘weigh in’ before flights.

European airline Finnair will become the latest carrier to ask passengers to weigh in before boarding this month in an effort to collect data on aircraft balance calculations.

Another airline has started asking its passengers to volunteer to step on the scales before boarding.

As with all of the Nordic region, Finland is known for its striking natural beauty. Lakes and forests cover much of the country, yet the majority of Finland’s 5.5 million residents live in cities.

More than a hundred flights have been delayed and dozens cancelled today from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport due to a severe cold snap.

It was the sauna in my suite that seduced me.

Change is in the air at Finnair. The Helsinki-based flag carrier has confirmed that Turkka Kuusisto will be the airline’s new chief executive. The appointment follows the resignation of incumbent Topi Manner in August last year. 

Why not get the new year off to a great start by visiting Finland, often said to be the happiest country in the world. The country has an endless supply of amazing adventures tailored for every kind of traveler. The enchanting landscapes, teeming with thousands of lakes, millions of saunas, and a bounty of fresh, forest-inspired cuisine, provide a perfect backdrop for well-deserved rest and holistic wellbeing. Here’s a curated list of the best nine experiences in Finland to add to your travel bucket list for the upcoming year.