And for the fourth year running it’s the happiest place in the world, it’s a No1 Finnday Funday.
So what do we put Finland’s joy down to… all those icy dips and saunas?
Well, yes, according to the Finns themselves who credit their love of nature.
He’s started so he’ll Finnish
Heli Jimenez, of Business Finland, explained: ‘We appreciate the small things in our daily lives.
‘Such as sitting quietly on a bench and staring at the empty lake after a relaxing sauna session or taking a morning dip in the sea before starting the working day.’
If you now live in the frozen north of Britain, or Scotland as it’s sometimes called, then it’s a victory for chilly places.
Cry freedom
The UN World Happiness Report looks at perceived freedom, honesty, welfare, good health and generosity.
And a trust in their leaders which has been reciprocated over Covid with that ‘helping to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic.’
Now we’re all of us ambassadors for our countries when we live abroad.
And among my most treasured possessions is the Pleasure To Work With Award that hangs proudly on my wall.
From the Travel trade from my 13 years in Ireland.
And indulge me here but I’d lavish my own praises on unofficial Finnish ambassador to Scotland, and part-time Disney character Paula Murray here.
Among the friends from around the world who I got to meet through Ireland were those who also scored highly for happiness.
Happy talking
Ireland themselves obvs and it will come as no surprise to our Paddy Party People that they come four places higher than the UK.
The Nordic and Scandi countries and be sure to know the diff.
Denmark, Sweden and Norway are in both alongside Finland, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The Danes and the Icelanders occupy second and third spots and Sweden and Norway seventh and eighth.
And what they lack in low drink prices which sees cruisers stay dry on on-shore excursions, they make up for in spirit.
And a smile on their faces
Making up the rest of the top ten are the swish Swiss (4th) and the liberal Dutch (5th),
Tiny Luxembourg (6th) you can get around in a day while Israel (9th) isn’t called the Land of Milk and Honey for nothing.
While the New Zealanders (10th) will be doing the Haka in celebration at being two places above Australia.
It is though refreshing, much like the Nordic air, to see that it’s still a No1 Funday Finnday
