The latest edition of the World Happiness Report has been published, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Finland continues to lead the rankings as the world's happiest country for the seventh consecutive year.
Actually, the majority of the top 10 spots are held by Nordic nations, specifically Denmark at number two, Iceland at number three, and Sweden at number four, followed closely by Norway in the seventh position.
The report is compiled by the Gallup World Poll in collaboration with the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
The group responsible utilizes information from over 140 nations annually. Individuals polled subjectively assess their personal well-being, whereas specialists in fields such as psychology, economics, and sociology enhance the accuracy of these assessments through objective analysis using six primary factors.
The factors include GDP per capita (income), healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and absence of corruption.
Travelling is known to increase happiness, especially in an increasingly unstable world. Plane travel is also infamous for being one the most stressful ways to travel. Taking that all into consideration, we suggest a visit to the top four happiest countries - Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden – without taking a flight. Here’s how you can manage it.
Reduce your environmental impact by opting for travel through trains, boats, or vehicles on roads.
Here’s a heads-up: this voyage will be considerably lengthier compared to covering the same distance by air—yet it offers travelers an authentic encounter, providing a more leisurely and eco-friendly travel option.
Beginning in Iceland, you'll embark on the most extensive segment of your trip.
Throughout the entire year, the M/S Norröna makes weekly voyages from Iceland to Denmark with stops at the Faroe Islands. During the months of June through August, the journey lasts for two days; however, this extends to slightly above three days during periods of harsher weather conditions.
Even though your journey spans a full day at sea, the ship makes a stop for six hours in Tórshavn during this time. Faroe Islands This implies you have the opportunity to explore an unvisited place.
Passengers can transport their own vehicles aboard the ferry, hence luggage restrictions do not come into play.
One can also view the trip as akin to a cruise ship experience, featuring 366 cabins accommodating a total of 1,482 passengers aboard.
They vary from basic couchette accommodations to lavish ocean-facing suites, based on your budget.
The least expensive cabin isn't actually very affordable, despite what you might expect. For just one adult, the minimum cost right now stands at €565, covering a standard cabin along with one car parking spot.
Upon arriving at Hirtshals, a coastal town situated atop the Jutland peninsula in Northern Denmark, take some time to appreciate its charming vistas and striking lighthouses. However, your next destination will probably be Copenhagen, the vibrant capital city of Denmark.
Explore the picturesque landscapes of northern Denmark and Sweden by train: A scenic railway journey from Denmark to Sweden
Even though Hirtshals is located 375 kilometers north of Copenhagen, the trip can still be quite enjoyable.
One can opt for traveling by car—or even take a taxi if budget allows—but opting for the train is both simple and the more environmentally friendly choice.
You will have to board two trains, which operate multiple times daily. The initial one runs from Hirtshals to Aalborg - which lasts slightly more than an hour - and another route from Aalborg to Copenhagen. The latter trip takes approximately five hours, during which you can enjoy views of Denmark’s charming rural landscapes that cannot be seen from an airplane window.
Additionally, there’s a third option involving a train that makes a stop in Hjørring before reaching Aalborg. This route is somewhat quicker; however, the choice depends on whether you find switching trains more troublesome. Regardless of which path you pick, the ticket price remains reasonable at €72 for a single trip.
Journey by rail over a famous bridge: from Denmark to Sweden
Following an exploration of some of Copenhagen's standout attractions – such as the iconic Little Mermaid statue, the enchanting Tivoli Gardens, and the picturesque Nyhavn district – you're all set for what promises to be one of the easiest stops on your journey through the world's happiest countries.
Starting from Copenhagen's Central Station, an abundance of trains head towards the Swedish border.
Actually, trains to Malmö, a progressively more favored Swedish destination, depart every 20 minutes. Copenhagen , with a journey time of just 35 minutes.
Although it does not draw as many tourists as the capital city, Stockholm, it is brimming with history and attractions.
They include Lilla Torg, a cobblestone square with cafes, half-timbered houses and shops selling local handicrafts, Malmö Castle, a 16th-century fortress built by King Christian III of Denmark and some of the best food in all of Sweden.
If infrastructure captures your interest, then traveling from Copenhagen to Malmö is also worthwhile.
The Øresund Bridge, a hybrid rail and road suspension bridge spanning over 8 kilometers across the Øresund Strait connecting Denmark and Sweden, stands as the second-longest such structure in Europe. This iconic construction has inspired "Bron/Broen" (known internationally as "The Bridge"), an acclaimed Nordic crime drama TV show based around this area.
Fares begin at €18 for a single journey.
Experience the beauty of the Swedish countryside as you travel by train followed by ferry to Finland.
After you've eaten enough of Malmö’s Charming roads; it’s time for yet another lengthy voyage. Do not lose hope, however, because the railway trip from Malmö to Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm covers nearly the whole southern part of the nation.
Single fares from Malmö Central Station to Stockholm start at around €40. Departing every hour, the trip lasts for nearly four and a half hours and provides an excellent opportunity to closely observe the picturesque Swedish scenery passing by.
Arriving in Stockholm , you have the option to delve into Swedish culture—at the very least, visiting the ABBA museum—or proceed further eastward towards Finland.
Regular travelers mention that there are two approaches to tackling the trip across the northerly Baltic Sea, with the voyage typically lasting around 16 hours on average.
While many opt for the comparative comfort of a cabin during the overnight journey, others choose to utilize the distinctive facilities available aboard. To save some money on accommodations, one can enjoy a broad range of nighttime activities offered on board.
From live performances, pubs, and special theme events to non-stop dancing venues where only the most enduring guests can unwind, it spans quite an array.
If dancing isn’t your thing yet you wish to maximize your journey, the ferry makes a brief stop in Finland’s autonomous region. Åland .
This route isn’t very crowded, allowing you to choose whether to spend just a few minutes or several days exploring. You might also consider extending your stay to visit nearby Turku on Finland’s southwest coast, or take a short ferry ride to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
No matter which type of ferry journey appeals to you, it won't empty your wallet or harm the environment.
The ticket prices start at €96 for a one-way journey, leading you to charming Helsinki—a city that boasts attractions throughout the year, including top-tier art museums and famous saunas, as well as the chance to take a rejuvenating dip in the cold Baltic Sea. If this does not put a smile on your face, nothing else will!
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