Travel in Finland

Narrowing down the best things to do in Iceland isn't a simple task. Whether you've come for adventure or leisure (or both), this Nordic island has enough to fuel a lifetime of vacations—one of the many reasons I've visited the Land of Fire and Ice a dozen times over the last decade.

The Grand Prize of the World Nature Photographer Awards (WNPA) this year has been awarded to British photographer Tracey Lund for her image of two underwater gannets fighting for a fish off the coast of the Shetland Islands.

Thinking of visiting China, India, or Venezuela this year with a US passport? Not so fast — or at least not before securing a visa. Some of the best wonders of the world require US citizens to obtain a visa before take-off, an inconvenience in planning that long-awaited international getaway.

The best time to visit Finland can vary because every season in the Nordic country brings a different kind of charm. If you're seeking sunlight, the sun barely sets in the summers, whereas winters are your best bet at catching a glimpse of the northern lights dancing in the skies. In autumn, Finland is bathed in shades of crimson and gold, and the springtime is temperate and green. The best time to visit Finland depends on what lighting excites you the most: 24/7 daylight, or the neon green aurora borealis against the night skies? Here’s a quick guide to the best time to visit Finland.

It's not often that we think of how polluted somewhere is when we plan our travels—but data in the 2023 World Air Quality report by IQAir reveals that the air quality of some common holiday destinations might make us rethink.

Nightjet sleeper trains have a new mini cabin, perfect for solo travelers or those wanting privacy.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Akso Heart, who attended Visit Finland's happiness masterclass. The course was meant to teach foreigners how to be happy like the Finns and was paid for by the country. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

In February, I finally checked off one of my top bucket list items — seeing the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights.

Finland has done it again. The 2024 World Happiness Report is out, and for the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world.

Finland is consistently ranked as the world's happiest country, thanks to factors including a great work-life balance and internationally renowned healthcare.

The Scotland-based company Slow Adventure advocates a more mindful approach to activity holidays. Options include climbing and yoga in the Italian Alps, mountain biking in Sweden and horse riding and rambling in Iceland. On the Finnish Happiness trip, guests stay in log cabins by a lake in Lapland and activities include canoeing under the midnight sun, hiking, swimming, swamp foraging and daily saunas. On all trips, 5% of the fee goes to local conservation projects, which in Finland could mean helping protect the rare Saimaa ringed seal, preserving forests or supporting a children’s environmental charity.From £876 for five nights, slow-adventure.com

Witnessing the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis belongs on every traveler’s bucket list. But determining where to see the northern lights is a complex matter—actually encountering the majestic and alien-ish green and purple glow of the night sky is not only about location, but also timing (December to March is ideal in many instances; August through April in other parts), positioning (typically from latitudes 65 to 72 degrees North), and plain ol’ luck (a clear, dark, and cloud-free sky).

Finland has been dubbed the world's happiest country for six consecutive years by the World Happiness Report.

Digital nomadism has shot up in popularity recently. While many destinations have simple citizenship requirements in place, the country a person hails from can still significantly impact their travel opportunities.

What makes one passport more powerful than another? The best-known passport ranking, from London-based investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners, focuses solely on visa-free travel. Essentially, the more countries a citizen can visit without a visa, the better. In that ranking, six nations—France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain—tie for the top position, with 194 visa-free destinations apiece. (In 2024, the U.S. is tied for sixth, with 189.)

Visit Finland has hired a special new influencer to promote a new marketing campaign.

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.

Confession: I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of canned cocktails I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in my nine years of covering food, wine, and spirits. The fact is, there simply isn’t a lot of good canned stuff out there. And believe me, I’ve tried many of them—too many to count—in an attempt to find something I’m able to drink right out of the can without zhuzhing.

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by the World Happiness Report for the past six years.

Asking passengers to step onto the scales before boarding a flight was always going to be a controversial move. Agitated commentators raged, accusing Finnair, which is Finland’s national carrier, of humiliating passengers and being ‘triggering to people with eating disorders’.

In the EU, all employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks’ paid holiday per year.