Unsurprisingly, the Nordic countries have once again dominated the top three spots in the latest UN World Happiness Report released in 2019. Many people can’t imagine how these distant countries in the icy and snowy lands can be so happy as to defeat the rest of the world.
Interestingly, Nordic people, who have been crowned the happiest people in the world, appear to be “unhappy.” The term “aloof” probably originated from Nordic people. From afar, their faces seem to read, “Don’t get so close.”
Unlike friends from Latin American countries, who laugh like sunshine all day long, sing and dance, living a life like a fairy tale, regardless of how hard tomorrow might be, so what exactly is the definition of this “happiness”? What makes the Nordic countries beat the rest of the world year after year?
Nordic countries are extremely low-key. Under their aloof exterior lies a lot of warmth and satisfaction that will surprise you. Once you learn a little about them, you will be amazed by every detail of Nordic countries, making your soul tremble. However, these are just everyday lives for Nordic people!
Any restaurant you walk into on the street corner may be a Michelin star restaurant, every chair you sit on may be an international design award-winning piece, every breath of air you take may be a purity you have never experienced in the past few decades, and every soul you encounter is a hero imbued with the legendary spirit of the Nordic mainland.
Wearing comfortable and minimalist local design brand clothes, sitting on wooden sofas, light-colored wooden floors, a warm and natural minimalist corner, one or two cars and a few bicycles parked in the backyard, two or three children in the house.
Owning a small villa in the city and a mini summer cottage in the almost deserted forest and lawn, inside is a typical Scandinavian layout. When you open the back door, the backyard will make you scream. Roses and tulips exude a fragrance, the lush green lawn is trimmed like velvet, and there is even a man-made waterfall.
Wake up in the morning, read for half an hour. This is a society where everyone reads. A big reason why it is difficult to interact with Nordic people is that you read far less than them, so you lack the resources to interact with them. Reading for them is a way of life and a habit. If you haven’t read a few books, it’s really hard to get into their social circle.
Then relax and tidy up in the garden. If you sweat, drink a glass of iced beer. When the sun is shining, take off your clothes and sunbathe on the grass all day.
In the afternoon, meet a friend at the street corner in the alley, sit down in a café, order a cup of rich and delicious cappuccino, bask in the sun, read a book, chat with your friends. You can spend the entire afternoon comfortably and leisurely with your friends.
For Nordic people, the most important thing is the time spent with family. The first thing to do when you get home from work is to spend some “family time” together without turning on the TV, buy groceries and cook dinner together, and spend another warm evening.
Nordic forests are endless. Children’s leisure activities are all kinds of play, close to nature. Many kindergartens are located not far from the forest.
Most activities are based on outdoor activities and camping. The toys and supplies that children usually play with are made from logs taken from the forest, including the jam they use for their bread. It is made by the teachers taking the children to the wild to collect it in autumn.
Skiing in spring, beach and barbecue in summer, vacation in July, picking wild berries in autumn, celebrating Christmas in winter. It seems that every Nordic family lives this way.
1. Hold Your Heartbeat in the Norwegian Fjords
No other country in the world is as fragmented as Norway, and the culprit for all this is the fjords, glaciers and the waves of the North Sea.
Norway is long and narrow, with a long and winding coastline, many islands along the coast, known as the “land of ten thousand islands,” with world-class soul-stirring fjords. Wasting time in the endless and winding fjords of Norway is a thrill for the heart.
Geirangerfjord has always been recognized as the most beautiful fjord in the world. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with pristine and magnificent snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes, lush green fields and meadows, all challenging people’s breathing and heartbeats.
Lysefjord, rated as the most spectacular natural wonder in the world by CNN, is also the closest place to heaven.
Sognefjord is the largest fjord in Norway, and also the longest and deepest fjord in the world, with a total length of 240 kilometers and a depth of 1308 meters. It is a secluded paradise that allows people to be outside the world.
Hardangerfjord, with the “Devil’s Tongue” that makes people want to conquer it.
2. Drive on the Devil’s Road
The Atlantic Road in Norway, the most beautiful scenic road in Scandinavia, is also the most dangerous and beautiful coastal road in the world. It was once voted one of the best road trip destinations in the world by the British Guardian, and was also known by travelers as the “Road to Heaven.” It is a road that will make people intoxicated and intoxicated with beautiful natural scenery.
It is calm and peaceful on weekdays, and you can occasionally see whales and seals. But when a hurricane hits, the magnificent scenery here is beyond imagination! Summer is the best choice, when the sea is calm, the scenery is beautiful, and you may even see seals and seabirds.
Self-driving on the “Eagle Road” (Ørnevegen) is the best way to appreciate the Geirangerfjord. Below the road is the magnificent Geirangerfjord, and on both sides are lush forests and towering mountains. Waterfalls pour down from the cliffs. Standing by the roadside and overlooking the fjord scenery, taking a deep breath, even your breath has a pulse.
3. See Colors Spreading in the Rainy City of Bergen
Bergen, Norway, is the Seattle of Europe, the “Rainy City.” It rains more than two-thirds of the year, for more than 200 days.
Norwegians say: Bergen is the most beautiful! It nestles against a charming harbor, surrounded by seven mountains and seven fjords, surrounded by stars, like a crystal embedded in the long coastline.
Bergen has a history of over 900 years. It was built in the Viking era and was once the capital of the Kingdom of Norway. Its residents are patriotic and proud of Bergen’s diversity, history and cultural traditions. Bryggen Wharf is the most famous World Heritage Site left over from this glorious time.
Most of the buildings on the wharf are wooden structures, decorated with bright colors, with a unique style. It was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
Bergen is also a modern seaport town. Historical buildings from different periods are arranged in an orderly manner, cleverly combined with new buildings. Cafes and restaurants, as well as exquisite small shops, make the city more romantic.
4. Steam in the Sauna and Go Wild in the Land of a Thousand Lakes in Finland
Finland is known as the “Land of a Thousand Lakes” and has an amazing forest coverage rate of 75%, ranking among the top in Europe and the world.
In the lake region of Finland, 180,000 lakes of all sizes, and vast green forests, stretch for thousands of miles, connecting all the beauty of Finnish summer.
You can get up early and go for a walk on the lakeside by the woods, or take your fishing gear and spend an afternoon fishing by the lake.
Most of the forests in Finland have berries and mushrooms, and wild berries, blueberries and strawberries are everywhere. You can pick a basket full of them with your hand.
If you want to get close to nature, you can learn from the locals and jump into the cool lake water to cool down. When you are tired of swimming, go back to the wooden house and steam in the traditional Finnish sauna.
Almost every two people in Finland have a sauna cabin. For centuries, sauna cabins have been used as a place to purify the body and mind. People who are naked together seem to suddenly gain the mysterious power to reach deep into each other’s hearts.
“Sauna is the gateway to heaven and the exit to hell.” Finns are born in the sauna, hold bachelor parties in the sauna, hold meetings in the sauna, and also die in the sauna. In Finland, sauna is closely related to people’s lives.
5. Feel the Beauty of Art in Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland. It is not big, but it is full of elements that can be explored endlessly. This may be related to the education they have received since childhood.
You may find that there are no famous universities in the Nordic countries. This is because the government has issued special policies that do not allow universities to widen the gap between them.
If there are famous schools, young people will have to fight hard for their places in these schools. That will make them have no time for entertainment and no time to learn painting and music.
So their understanding of art and nature seems to be a little deeper.
The geometric structure of the Rock Church is mesmerizing, not to mention the notes floating from the pipe organ. Coming here is a blessing.
Amos Rex Art Museum is named after the respected Finnish art collector Amos Anderson, who bequeathed his home to the public as a museum after his death, displaying his private collection.
The building, which looks like a curved “chimney” on the surface, introduces daylight into the underground space and forms a new “terrain” on the ground. With its magical architectural imagination, people passing by can walk and rest on it, maintaining the functionality of the square itself, but it blends seamlessly into the environment.
These round glass skylights may really have this magic, allowing people who come here to see not only an underground space in Helsinki, but also an underground feast of Nordic surrealism.
6. Travel and Cycle in the Danish Fairy Tale Kingdom
Denmark is a country of bicycles, leisure and healthy living have become common phenomena in this country, even CEOs of large companies are willing to “cycle” to work.
People ride their bicycles through the city, commuting, strolling, or buying groceries… It is not only a way of life, but also represents a just-right lifestyle.
In Copenhagen, people just want coffee to be more mellow, time to flow like water, buildings to be brightly colored, objects to be simple and practical, food to be natural and pure, and life to be peaceful and healthy…
Besides the Little Mermaid and the royal palace, you must cycle to the oldest Tivoli amusement park in Europe. Spend a day as a happy child, taste sweet cotton candy, and experience exciting amusement rides. You will know that happiness can be so simple.
You can also ride past trendy districts where artists gather, popular restaurants loved by city dwellers, and popular check-in spots. There are many unexpected surprises.
7. Have a Blast in the Faroe Islands at the End of the World
Denmark has a secluded little island, dancing with the wind in the middle of the North Atlantic. Billions of years ago, the Creator used a stone axe to carve out the European continent, and the flying debris created the magical Faroe Islands, which are isolated from the outside world.
Coming here is like coming to the end of the world. As far as the eye can see, there are dwarf trees, broken stones, volcanic rocks and meadows. 18 islands of all sizes make up the 1399 square kilometers of the Faroe Islands, which is only a little bigger than Hong Kong.
It has the most beautiful sea waterfalls, the most dangerous cliffs, and the most wild ecological environment. It is a cold and beautiful wonderland at the end of the world.
8. Dig for Design in Every Corner of Sweden
Sweden is a charming prince, with well-preserved medieval old towns and modern Nordic-style buildings perfectly combined here. In such a noble country, warm design is infused into every corner.
Swedes pursue the Lagom lifestyle, which is “just right, not too much, not too little.” Clothing design, home simplification, and the balance of softness and hardness in architecture all practice the just-right Lagom philosophy. No wonder local brands H&M, IKEA, and Volvo are popular all over the world.
The good design that locals love is also hidden in second-hand stores, antique furniture stores, and auctions. Those old furniture pieces that have been polished by time not only symbolize the peak of Nordic design, but also carry the responsibility of recording the emotions of a family.
The Stockholm Metro stations are also a special feature!
Each station is a scenic spot. Just buy a Stockholm Metro ticket and you can admire sculptures, murals, oil paintings, installations, inscriptions and bas-reliefs from the 1950s to the 21st century.
The Kiruna Church, designed by Gustav Wickman, is also known as the mobile church. It has been rated as Sweden’s most beloved building since 1912.
The world’s first ice hotel was also born in Sweden. Artists design and build rooms using a thousand tons of ice and 30,000 cubic meters of snow in eight weeks between October and December each year. Every spring after that, it melts back into nature.
9. Go Fishing in the Gentle and Gentlemanly Harbor of Gothenburg
“The capital of Sweden is Stockholm, but the most beautiful city is Gothenburg.” As the starting point of the ancient maritime Silk Road, Gothenburg has a maritime gentlemanly feel, and it is very charming to be intoxicated by the sea breeze and the gentleness of the people in the city.
Although not everyone can ride the waves here, it is still a good choice to experience a relaxing sea fishing trip. Take a vintage fishing boat for a sea voyage with a bit of a “time travel” feel, and you will find that freshly caught seafood is particularly delicious with the sea breeze.
10. Watch 44 Sunsets in the Diamond Planet of Iceland in Summer
“One day, I saw 44 sunsets.”
The Little Prince saw 44 sunsets on his planet. Iceland is as romantic as it gets, and you can experience 44 sunsets in Iceland during the summer.
Iceland, the name alone exudes fairy magic. It is considered to be the “most alien place on earth.”
Iceland has been appearing more and more frequently in the past two years. Almost half of people have listed this Nordic country as their top destination, and those who have been there have confirmed that it is indeed a mysterious and magical wonderland.
Iceland’s summer will allow you to experience all four seasons. You will be amazed that it has almost all the beauty in the world.
Iceland is located below the Arctic Circle, so it also has the ultimate romance of the midnight sun.
The time for the midnight sun is June 16th to 29th. The daylight hours in May, July and August are also very long, and you can feel the wonderfulness of the sun staying up at midnight.
In the summer in Iceland, the sun can stay for you for hours at its most beautiful time, just to prolong this short human beauty. You can pursue the sunset for your sadness like the Little Prince, and you can also chase the sunrise and sunset in Iceland for your joy.
Besides the midnight sun, Iceland turns into an oil painting as soon as summer comes
Purple comes from lupine flowers
Green comes from the tundra
Red is brought by puffins
Blue comes from the gradually softening glacier
That dazzling gold comes from the last ray of sunshine at midnight, and you shining under the sunset.
11. Wait for the Aurora Borealis in the Arctic Circle
The dark night sky is suddenly illuminated by magical beams of light, which rotate and bend in the night sky, creating a colorful and mysterious performance. This is the Aurora Borealis, a magical experience that you may only have once in your life.
You can chase the aurora borealis in Tromsø, Norway, or lie comfortably in a glass-domed igloo in Finland and gaze at the aurora borealis. Every moment is eternal.
1. New Nordic Cuisine
The “New Nordic Food Manifesto” is a movement launched by Nordic people in the world of food culture. It is called the NEW NORDIC FOOD MANIFESTO.
In addition to returning to simple cooking methods, it emphasizes the use of local ingredients as much as possible, especially local vegetables. They believe that high-quality vegetables grow in the Nordic countries. The local climate and soil environment give the vegetables a special flavor.
The Nordic countries are also a veritable Michelin power. The 2019 Nordic Michelin Restaurant Guide was released in Aarhus, Denmark, and Denmark and Norway were big winners.
Noma restaurant in Denmark
It is known as the hardest restaurant in the world to book a table! Noma is located in Copenhagen, converted from an 18th-century shipping warehouse in Christianhavn. It serves molecular cuisine and Nordic food, and has been ranked as the “No. 1 restaurant in the world” many times.
Thörnström restaurant in Gothenburg
It has hosted Nobel banquets, the 60th birthday banquet of the King of Sweden, Nobel banquets, and the wedding banquet of the Swedish Crown Prince, and has been recognized by the Swedish royal family and the world of catering.
Frantzén / Lindeberg in Stockholm
This is a restaurant that has been promoted to a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. The whole restaurant only has 19 seats. The chef of the restaurant is committed to “free creation, a culinary journey that is faithful to each ingredient of the food,” so the restaurant style is also very casual. The menu is decided randomly every night, and you won’t know what food you will taste until it’s served.
Kong Hans Kælder in Copenhagen
Opened in 1976, it became the first Danish restaurant to receive a Michelin star in 1983. The name Kong Hans Kælder is also the address of the restaurant, meaning King Hans’ cellar. The roof inside the restaurant is a vaulted archway with over 500 years of history.
Under: The Miracle Underwater Restaurant
The underwater restaurant is located on the coast of the southeasternmost part of Norway. The restaurant’s name “Under” means “miracle” in Norwegian. The name is probably the architect’s expectation for it.
It is like some kind of human relic left after the end of the world. This huge building is half leaning on the steep coast and half sinking and extending to the seabed. This is the entrance to the world of miracles.
The huge glass windows can show the shape of the seabed, allowing humans and underwater creatures to have dinner together.
2. FIKA!
Fika in Swedish can be interpreted as coffee break (coffee time). In fact, fika is a way of life for Swedes. Swedes will have a Fika anytime and anywhere, alone, in a group, at home, in the office, on a park bench, etc.
The most important meaning of Fika is to slow down, let go of life’s pressures and enjoy the moment.
As the fourth largest coffee consuming country in the world, Swedes are equally addicted to coffee. When you enjoy Fika in Sweden, you must have a cup of strong coffee, of course, you can’t forget the delicious Swedish pastries.
The summer solstice has arrived, which means that the Midsummer Festival, an annual event for Nordic people, is also coming.
As an important traditional festival for residents of the Nordic region, the Midsummer Festival is held every year on the Friday between June 19th and 25th. It was originally intended to celebrate the long daylight and short summer that were coming. After all, after experiencing the cold and harsh winter nights, nothing is more enjoyable than the warm summer sunshine.
The most common thing people do on Midsummer is to light bonfires. In ancient Scandinavian culture, this is a way to drive away darkness. Later, as Christian culture entered Nordic countries on a large scale, Midsummer was naturally gradually religious, becoming a festival related to St. John’s Day. People would light bonfires on this day to burn the witch who beheaded St. John the Baptist.
Sweden and Finland both have a legend that if girls collect 7 different kinds of flowers, their future lovers will appear in their dreams (or in their reflections in the water). In ancient Sweden, there were even stories of girls going out in groups to “hunt” lovers during this season. Nordic lands are full of flowers before and after Midsummer. Such legends are both romantic and realistic.
Most local Nordic people will gather with their families and friends in their holiday cabins on Midsummer night, have a sauna, swim, barbecue, and light bonfires on the shore under the midnight sun. Even people who live in southern Nordic countries where they can’t see the “sun that never sets” in summer can have a summer night without any darkness.
There are many definitions of “happiness.” But the happiness of the Nordic people comes from their satisfaction with everything they have.
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