A Visit Finland competition, which is also open to travel agents, gives participants the chance to win a holiday to Finnish Lakeland this June.
The tourist board says the winners will get the opportunity to learn how to “chill like a Finn”, pointing out that Finland is consistently ranked the happiest country in the world. This holiday is posited as a chance to discover how “the world’s happiest” people relax: next to nature and with ‘Do Not Disturb’ switched on.
The application process involves two steps: a social media challenge on either Instagram or Tiktok which requires entrants to share a video introducing themself and explaining what a Finnish summer holiday in Lakeland would mean to them. There is then a mandatory application form to complete.
Finnish Lakeland as an area remains relatively undiscovered for travellers despite being a Finnish favourite. It is Europe’s largest lake district, featuring hundreds of lakes and islands enveloped in forests. Summer days tend to be warm and evenings are cool. This climate creates ideal conditions for hiking, fishing and foraging, which are regular activities.
“An increasing number of international tourists come to Finland searching for the secret to happiness, yet Lakeland is still an undiscovered gem for many,” says Heli Jimenez, Senior Director, International Marketing at Business Finland.
“It’s the region Finns themselves return to when they want to relax truly, and the perfect destination for anyone looking to step away from the noise of everyday life.”
Many Finns are conscious of the importance of resetting and recharging whilst spending time in nature. Typical holiday days tend to include sauna, lake swimming and rural cuisine.
“In an increasingly hectic world that expects us to be constantly online, chilling like a Finn is about rediscovering balance that many Finns consider a core part of their life”, Jimenez explains.
“It’s a mindset that’s deeply rooted in Finnish life: unplugging, slowing down and allowing nature to do its work. We want to share this experience with travellers seeking meaningful, restorative travel and a gentler pace amidst a hectic modern life. Lakeland offers travellers the experience of a pleasant Northern summer in a quintessentially Finnish destination.”
Applications close on March 29, 2026, at 23:59 EEST (Eastern European Summer Time), which is 21:59 UK time.
