High above the treeline at Koli Hill, the world feels vast, and the noise of the digital world feels incredibly small. This is the kind of perspective Finland is offering—a chance to stand where the only “connection” that matters is the one with the landscape. (Image by Koli Visit Karelia, Visit Finland)
For many of us, switching off no longer feels natural. It feels like something we must relearn. That’s exactly what Finland is inviting travellers to do right now. Fresh off being named the happiest country in the world for the ninth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, Finland isn’t celebrating with excess.
Instead, it’s extending a global invitation: step away from the noise with a chance to win a free trip to Finland and experience a digital detox in the heart of nature.
The initiative is called the Chill Like a Finn challenge, and importantly, it’s open to international travellers (non-Finnish residents and citizens). Winners will receive a free seven-day summer stay in Finland’s Lakeland, one of Europe’s most serene regions, known for its thousands of lakes and deep forests—and yes, you can bring a plus one.
You won’t need an itinerary. What you will get is time and space to slow down.
Trading notifications for nature
There is a specific clarity that comes with a dip in the waters of Kotka. It’s a physical reset that reminds you why the happiest country in the world prioritises these simple, repeatable moments of nature. (Image by Kotka, Visit Finland)
Lake Saimaa is a playground for the unhurried. Whether you’re paddling a yellow canoe through its hidden inlets or simply sitting by the shore, the summer activities here are designed to help you find your own rhythm. (Image by Mikko Nikkinen, Visit Finland)
Imagine a Tuesday where your only “status update” is the rhythmic sound of water against wood. In the Finnish Lakeland, doing nothing is considered a productive way to spend an afternoon. (Image by Visit Finland)
The sauna is the heart of Finnish culture—a place where conversation flows or silence is shared, and where phones are strictly (and happily) forbidden. (Image by Visit Finland)
As the sun dips over Lake Syväri, the Tahkolahti Bay Bridge serves as a quiet reminder that the most beautiful structures are the ones that lead us deeper into the wild. (Image by Kuopio Tahko, Visit Finland)
Days might begin with a slow morning by the water, followed by time in a wood-heated sauna and a refreshing swim in a clear lake. Afternoons could mean walking through the forest without a fixed plan or sharing seasonal meals with good company. There’s no pressure to do more than necessary, and no expectation to document every moment. In fact, one of the key ideas behind the experience is putting your phone away and allowing yourself to fully disconnect, even if just for a while.
This approach reflects a broader insight highlighted in the 2026 report: constant connectivity, particularly through social media, can negatively impact wellbeing. Finland’s response isn’t about rejecting technology altogether, but about creating space from it. In everyday Finnish life, happiness is often tied to small, repeatable moments rather than big, curated experiences.
How to take part
Applications for the Chill Like a Finn challenge are now open globally. To take part, applicants just need to follow a few simple steps:
Step 1: The video pitch
Record a short video with your plus one. The prompt is simple: “What do you imagine a Finnish summer holiday in Lakeland to look like?”
Step 2: Platform choice
Post your entry to Instagram or TikTok.
(Pro-tip: Use high-quality natural lighting and speak from the heart about why you need to log off—authenticity usually wins over high-end editing).
Step 3: The final step
Don’t forget to actually fill out the application form on the Visit Finland official website with your video link and other important information.
Selected travellers will head to Finland this summer to spend a week learning how to truly slow down and embrace a more balanced rhythm.
You have until 29 March 2026 (11:59 pm EEST) to get your application in.
In a world that rarely pauses, Finland’s invitation feels like a quiet reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin with simply switching off.
Visit Finland official channels
