Visit Finland for Free and Learn the Finnish Art of Happiness
For the second year in a row, Finland was named the happiest country in the world (while the United States barely made it into the top 20, ranking 19th). What makes Finns so happy? Well, perhaps you will have the opportunity to travel to Finland and learn the art of happiness firsthand, whatever that entails.
The Finnish Tourism Board is offering selected travelers the opportunity to visit the Scandinavian country for three days with tours led by “happiness guides”, locals in Finland who apparently specialize in being very happy.
According to its website , the Rent-a-Finn (real name) competition will teach winners how to connect with nature and ultimately “find their peace” – apparently keeping calm is the key to the Finnish art of happiness. The host will guide you through a range of tourism activities, such as a hike in one of Finland’s national parks, a visit to a Finnish sauna, yoga classes in the forest, and berry picking. Nature also seems to be the key to the art of happiness, which does not bode well for the townspeople.
Flights and costs are covered and you will stay at the host’s home (boat or lighthouse) during your stay. The competition’s website also features short profiles of its masters of happiness and their planned events, including Petri, a local who will teach you “the inspiring effect of just wandering around listening to silence.”
So how do you get the opportunity to wander around Finland with your own guide to happiness? You will need to shoot a short video describing “your connection to nature” and why you want to come to the country (you can also apply with friends or family). You will then need to complete an online application.
Applications are submitted on April 14 and winners will be selected and their guides appointed shortly thereafter. Good luck! And if you don’t win, you can still roam on your own without a guide.