https://www.visitfinland.com/en/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

And it will come as little surprise that Finland have won for the ninth year out of the last ten but the world’s happiest country… where are you?

Because I just know that my old pal Paula has used her infinite influence to push Suomi’s charms on the voting board on the Good Folk of the World Happiness Report.

Now on the basis that we are all of us ambassadors for our countries wherever we go then Paula has spread the word for Finland admirably on her travels.

An adopted Scot after marrying fellow journo Graham Murray.

He’ll forgive me that I have come to know Paula as ‘Missus’ after a misunderstanding when myself and Paula found ourselves on a group trip to Orlando back in the day.

Now when we turned up for the wellness treatments at the Disney hotel where we were staying the host jumped to a wrong conclusion because of our surnames.

And assumed that we were a couple, which I wouldn’t wish on the delightful Paula.

Well, that’s why

Now it is virtually impossible to stress out in the surroundings of a spa treatment.

And perhaps that is the secret to Finland’s perennial happiness.

With Finns seemingly spending most of their free time in their 1,000 lakes.

Helsinki mayor Daniel Sazonov clearly extols the virtues of a good sauna.

Which every Finn has, with an estimated three million saunas for a population of just 5.5 million.

‘I suggest trying out the different saunas in Helsinki and maybe even a plunge into the cold Baltic Sea,’ he suggests.

And because we always see ourselves as a public service, here’s the top 20 of happiest countries.

Twenty with plenty

Irish eyes: With queen of Spain Teresa, Eoghan Corry and Sharon Jordan in Dublin

Finland
Iceland
Denmark
Costa Rica
Sweden
Norway
Netherlands
Israel
Luxembourg
Switzerland
New Zealand
Mexico
Ireland
Belgium
Australia
Kosovo
Germany
Slovenia
Austria
Czechia

And outside looking in

Now if yours isn’t there then you know what to do about it.

As a postscript the Irish will, of course, be happy to see that the Brits don’t make the top 20, in 29th.

And behind even the USA, in 23rd.

Countries, Europe

If you’re happy and you’re Finnish clap your hands

20th March 202520th March 2025 funtime65

If you’re happy and you’re Finnish clap your hands as you’re the merriest people on Earth for the eighth year running.

Like many of us outside Suomi our knowledge of the Land of a Thousand Lakes is probably limited.

To Olympic greats Lasse Viren, the odd sports driver in Keke Rosberg, a footballer or two Jari Litmanen and Jonatan Johannson and Antti Niemi and Euro headbangers Lordi.

And travel friends like adopted Scot Paula who is by now more Glaswegian than me and Daddy’s Little Girl’s Young Man who spent his childhood there.

Finn it to win it

So what is the secret?

Well, we’ve been down this route before and it seems to boil down to a narrower pay divide between rich and poor, nature and community.

And a down-to-earth and humble attitude, all of which allows for an outburst of shouting out their achievements on their website.

Where they scream that they are the ‘happiest place on Earth.’

Although in the interests of fairness we hold their feet to the fire (well, it is cold up there) to see if we match up.

Shining a light

Hut’s the way to do it: Finns’ obsession

The Finns proudly flag up the Northern Lights but are not alone, not least in Aberdeen who have even embraced them in their civic song.

We will, of course, give them their saunas.

With Finland boasting 3 million saunas and 188,000 lakes and the Finns freely bare all so no inhibitions there.

They also wave their nature in our faces (behave) and their The Everyman’s Rights which state that everyone is free to enjoy nature responsibly.

And what they call the the cleanest air in the world Finns are all foragers and porcini mushrooms or cloud berries are just scattered at your feet.

In their forests and 40 national parks from the lush Southern woods to the Arctic wonders of the North.

Fairytale Finland

All fairytale stuff and, of course, they have Santa himself in Rovaniemi, or the North Pole as its billed.

Best for us all, while proud of our own countries, to test for ourselves whether Finland deserves its plaudits.

And Finnair will get you there unless you work for Santa.

Disney has, of course, trademarked Happiest Place on Earth.

But Finland is the Happiest Country on Earth.

So today, and every day, if you’re happy and you’re Finnish clap your hands.

America, Countries

Ah grasshopper it’s Paddy’s pal St Urho’s Day

16th March 202517th March 2025 funtime65

Ah grasshopper it’s Paddy’s Pal St Urho’s day so don your green and purple early.

Never heard of the Finnish holy man, well, you probably don’t come from Minnesota.

Where the Finnish Diaspora in America’s Mid West created their own St Patrick, replacing grasshoppers for snakes.

The story goes that Urhu banished the grasshoppers before the last ice age after they threatened Finland’s vineyards.

And so at sunrise on March 16, Finns in royal purple and green gather around the shores of their Land of A Thousand Lakes.

And chant ‘Heinasirkka, heinasirkka, menetaalta hiiteen’.

Or ‘Grasshopper, grasshopper, go away!’

Before, of course, singing and dancing polkas and schottisches (country dances) and drinking grape juice or wine.

Urho ho ho

We have Finn-American department store owner Richard Mattson from Virginia, Minnesota, to thank for St Urho.

After inventing the story in 1956 as a counter to colleague Gene McCavic’s bating about St Patrick.

The likely lads even came up with an Ode to St Urho (named for the Finnish president of the day).

Urho’s powers we are told derives from eating viili sour milk and eaten kalamojakka (fish soup) every hour.

Paddy’s eve

Now while Urhu is lauded among Finnish-Americans and Finnish-Canadians in Ontario, the homeland favours the real St Henry.

Whose name day is January 19.

So if you missed that or just want to start early on your Paddy’s Day celebrations then you’ll have Finn and games with Urhu.

Particularly when Finns and Irish come together like the inventors of the myth.

With the town of Menahga and its statue to our hero the centrepiece.

Finns are looking up

Aer Lingus flies to the twin cities of St Paul-Minneapolis with pre-clearance from £624.

And, of course, who wouldn’t want to chant our take on the Finnish-Americans’ exhortation.

Ah grasshopper it’s Paddy’s pal St Urho’s Day.

Countries, Europe

Elves’ Graceland with Airbnb

5th December 20235th December 2023 funtime65

Well, we’re all shook up after being invited to stay at Elves’ Graceland with Airbnb but there will be no return to sender here.

And we’re all big Elves fans here, the Son and Heir and Daddy’s Little Girl both having worked as elves in his Co. Wicklow outpost.

So this invitation seems ideal for us who love, love, love Santa…

Santa’s Official Post Office in Rovaniemi, Finland, his official post office, has been listed free for guests .

Can’t wait: And there will be a costume your size

You’ll get three nights from 18-21 December and can book on Monday December at 12pm at airbnb.com/santa.

Santa’s Official Post Office is expected to receive over 30,000 letters daily.

From children and adults around the world this Christmas.

The Chief Elf speaks

Katja, Chief Elf of Santa Claus’ Main Post Office and Airbnb Host said: “The elves have been working around the clock to transform Santa Claus’ Cabin into a winter wonderland.

“We want this to be a magical and immersive experience for a family in search of the ultimate yuletide experience.

“Not only will guests get to sleep in Santa Claus’ Cabin, they’ll also get a sneak peek behind the scenes.

“Of the world’s official Santa Claus’ Post Office during our liveliest time of the year.”.

Guests will be given a crash course in ‘elfing’ by Chief Elf and Host Katja, and will work with her team.

To help sort through the letters from children and adults all around the world – cross referencing with Santa Claus’ naughty and nice list.

You’ll empty mailboxes and help the elves stamp the post with the Arctic Circle postmark before it goes to Santa Claus.

And learn about the day-to-day workings of the post office.

After tending to their elf duties, guests will be treated to traditional Finnish meals, a snowmobile activity, a trip to see the northern lights and a traditional sauna.

Cabin fever

Hang up your stocking: At the end of this giant bed

You’ll stay in Santa Claus’ Cabin out with the funky Finns, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Santa Claus’ Post Office.

The room has been given a Yuletide makeover complete with traditional Lapland decorations and a wardrobe of elf-wear, all free of charge.

And this being Santaland they’re not sure of Christmas crackers jokey guest rules.

So please ask Santa nicely before taking an elfie with him, boots off in Santa Claus’ Cabin.

Yule be sorry if you trample snow into the handwoven Lapland rugs.

Roasting chestnuts by the open fire is permitted.

And remember, an elf is always an elf: a felt hat with a jingling bell paired.

With a freshly ironed tunic is the preferred attire in the Santa Claus Village.

How to book

The exclusive stay in Finland will be available for 3 nights from 18-21 December.

Guests can request to book this stay on Monday December 11 at 12pm EET at airbnb.com/santa.

Guests will receive complimentary return flights to Rovaniemi from London Heathrow Airport via Finnair – thanks to Visit Finland.

The stay is suitable for up to two adults and two children, and will be free of charge, with breakfast and dinner included.

Amanda Cupples, General Manager of Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: “We’re thrilled that the Chief Elf has decided to share their space on Airbnb.

“And invite a family to experience this unique festive stay.

“Where they’ll help sort through Christmas letters from children worldwide.

“And participate in unforgettable adventures like snowmobile excursions, northern lights sightings and traditional saunas.”

For those who are not able to book this exclusive stay, check out Airbnb’s Arctic Category.

It is a new filter that makes it easy to discover igloos, cabins and more, in the Arctic Circle.

Countries, Europe, Sport

Funky Finns my latest hobby horse

15th September 202315th September 2023 funtime65

Now the beauty of what we do here is getting to share our experiences, and I’ve been won over to Suomi with funky Finns my latest hobby horse.

Maybe it’s living in a land of a thousand lakes or being surrounded by 75% forests with all the sport that that offers.

Or that it’s the home of the sauna and Santa, and his reindeer live here too.

But mostly it’s because they are up for the craic (whatever that is in Finnish).

And have some of the weirdest competitions going.

Strumthing else

I’d been steered to Suomi by my old columnist Mal Rodgers who flagged up the extravaganza that is the World Air Guitar Championships.

If only I’d known about that when I was channeling my inner Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend as a teen heavy rock fan.

They’ve been strumming the air since 1966.

And champion and hall of famer Nanami ‘Seven Seas’ Nagura and the competition will return to Oulu next year from August 21-23.

While, of course, if you’ve done your dates and have been keeping up with Suomi, or Finland.

Then you’ll know Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in its 60th year in 2026.

Everyone needs a hobby

But I found the Hobby Horse Championships all on my own.

Which is run over ten classes.

And I can’t help thinking Arthur and his knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

But there is also showjumping and the gamut of equestrian events.

Finnish fun doesn’t stop there, of course.

Suomi swamp football

And what else would our friends try as an alternative soccer than swamp (or Suomi) football in Hyrynsalmi, in its 25th year.

Pastimes come in many guises.

And who knew that you could make a sport out of mobile throwing (well, maybe Naomi Campbell).

Wife is life

Or wife carrying, the world championship for which take place in Sonkajarvi every June.

The wife can be carried piggyback, fireman’s carry.

Or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband’s shoulders, holding onto his waist).

And what’s best about this wacky contest is the prize.

All of which is determined by the weight of the man’s female teammate and is paid in beer.

So saddle up… funky Finns my latest hobby can be yours too.

Tag: https://www.visitfinland.com/en/

The world’s happiest country… where are you?