Finn fun in the northern light |
For those of us who love the northern lands, the spring equinox is a magical moment. From this weekend, for the next six months, the amount of daylight increases the further north you go. The lakes, forests and raw rock of Lapland are more rewarding in summer than the deep midwinter, when so many travellers go in search of Santa. Further south, the cities of Turku, Tampere and Hämeenlinna (home town of Sibelius) reward exploration. The Baltic shore is blessed with a mosaic of islands. And Helsinki reveals how much fun a capital can be at the impressive latitude of 60 North. |
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Helsinki is the closest you can get to St Petersburg at the moment. There are strong similarities, with waterways flanked by handsome 19th-century architecture. Yet the Finnish capital has great distinction, with a bold granite railway station, a cathedral for train travellers; fine cuisine; and Temppeliaukio Church (pictured), a magnificent circular cut-and-cover place of worship. |
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| The Oodi Library in central Helsinki is known as the city's "living room": a spot where anyone in the capital can go to read, grab a coffee, meet friends, borrow appliances, play video games and even make a podcast. While walking around the swish photography rooms and podcast studios that can be used completely free of charge – and thinking about how these facilities might fare in my own north London enclave – I ask my companion Heidi: How is it so clean? Doesn't anyone steal things? Does it ever get trashed? Heidi – a Helsinki local – looks confused; if you're given nice things, why on Earth wouldn't you take care of them? I was reminded of this conversation as I learned that once again that Finland has been named the happiest country in the world – for the ninth year in a row. The Finns I spoke to found this accolade rather bemusing – they are, after all, not known to be the most gregarious and outgoing of people, favouring instead a self-deprecating, dry sense of humour. Yet Finland has a palpable quiet contentment. It's happiness that isn't based on excitement and thrill, but rather a strong faith in civil society, a trust in government (even when it isn't your party of choice) and a general comradeship with your fellow residents. |
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Sunset over the outskirts of Turku (Getty/iStock) |
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| Which makes for a very happy place to visit. In February, I spent two weeks in the snowy wonderland that was southeastern Finland, snowmobiling, hiking and even enjoying an icy cold plunge at Helsinki harbour. The capital itself charmed me with its cosy public spaces, locally-sourced vegetarian cuisine and friendly population. Travel writer Yvette Cook shares my passion for the Nordic country, as she revealed in her article about visiting Tampere – the 'sauna capital of the world' – to recover from burnout. After immersing herself in sauna culture, exploring museums and galleries, and wandering through snowy forests, she concluded that "the city has provided experiences that have fed my mind, body and soul". Matt Charlton visited Finland in summer and discovered a lifestyle marked by simplicity and community among the mökki cabins on the archipelago. Summing it up perfectly, he noted: "Finland is a country where contentment trumps material gain and a healthy work/life balance is supported by a strong welfare system, a symbiotic relationship with nature, a sense of community and a deep appreciation of personal space." Happiness indeed. |
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Set sail for less – Cruise118 currently have a great range of deals from all the major cruise lines, with plenty of exciting itineraries to choose from. When you book online, you can also enjoy extra savings, with live availability and the best prices for your cruise. Learn more. |
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| Enjoy an African-inspired dinner, a full English breakfast and a private safari with this unique adventure. |
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| Enjoy great value on your next Greek escape with £75pp off all summer 2026 Jet2holidays!
Twinkling waters, whitewashed towns and mouth-watering dishes? Say hello to gorgeous Greece... |
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| | Elche, just half an hour from Alicante, is a green oasis compared to its neighbouring city. |
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Investing in quality luggage can transform the entire travel experience, making every journey smoother and more enjoyable. If you're planning an adventure, I've rounded up 11 of the best travel backpacks, tried and tested over thousands of miles across the Middle East, India and beyond. If a short UK break is on the cards this spring, a reliable weekend bag is the perfect companion. This tried-and-tested Rains design features a waterproof finish (a must for British weather), comes in a range of colours, and offers two strap options for easy carrying from A to B. When it comes to cabin bags, this Herschel carry-on holdall is currently half price and includes a handy shoulder strap for versatility. Flying budget? A £15 underseat cabin bag that fits strict size rules is a smart, stress-free option. For staying organised, packing cubes are a true game-changer. They help separate clothing, accessories and toiletries, saving space and making unpacking far easier. Antler's packing cubes are a favourite, while these budget-friendly compression cubes under £20 on Amazon are a great alternative. |
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| This duffle bag transforms from hand luggage to an excursion-ready backpack. |
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