Live Your Best Lives
As expected, in the latest United Nations World Happiness Report released in 2019, Nordic countries once again occupied the top three spots on the list. Many people may not imagine how happy these distant countries with ice and snow must be to be able to beat the whole world?
What’s interesting is that the Nordic people, who have been crowned the happiest people in the world, look “unhappy”. The word “aloof” probably comes from the Nordic people. From a distance, it seems as if “don’t come so close” is written on their faces.
Unlike our friends in Latin America, who smile as brightly as the sun, dance and sing, and live life to the fullest, unconcerned about how hard the next day might be. So, what exactly is the definition of "happiness"? What is it that keeps the world losing to Northern Europe year after year?
Northern Europe is an extremely low-key country. Beneath its cold exterior, it hides so much warmth and satisfaction that you will never expect. With a little understanding, you will be amazed by every detail of Northern Europe and your soul will tremble. However, these are the daily lives of the Nordic people!
Any restaurant you walk into on the street corner may be a Michelin world-class restaurant, every chair you sit on may be an international design award-winning work, every breath of air you breathe may be purer than you have been able to experience in the past few decades, and every soul you meet is a hero who embodies the legendary temperament of the Nordic continent.
Wearing comfortable and simple clothes from local design brands, using wooden sofa seats, light wooden floors, a warm, natural and minimalist corner, one or two cars and a few bicycles parked in the backyard, and two or three children at home.
Own a small villa in the city, and a mini summer holiday home in the almost deserted forest and lawn. It is decorated with typical Scandinavian style. When you push open the back door, the back garden will make you scream. Roses and tulips emit bursts of fragrance, the green lawn is trimmed like a velvet carpet, and there is even an artificial waterfall.
Get up in the morning and read for half an hour. This is a society where everyone reads. A big reason it's hard to connect with Nordic people is that you read far less than them, so you lack things to talk about. For them, reading is a lifestyle and a habit. If you haven't read a few books, it's really hard to break into their social circle.
After that, I rested in the garden, drank a cold beer when I sweated, and when the sun was shining, I took off my clothes and lay on the grass for a day.
In the afternoon, I met a friend on the street at the end of the alley, found a cafe to sit down, ordered a cup of rich and delicious cappuccino, basked in the sun, read a book, and chatted with friends. Most of the day can be spent comfortably and happily with friends.
For Nordic people, the most important thing is time with family. The first thing they do when they get home from get off work is to spend "family time" with their family without turning on the TV. They buy ingredients and cook dinner together, and another warm evening passes.
The Nordic forests are like an ocean, and children's spare time activities include various kinds of play and getting close to nature. Many kindergartens are located not far from the forests.
Most activities are outdoors and camping. The toys and supplies the children use are all made from logs in the forest. Even the jam they spread on their bread is made in the autumn when teachers lead the children to the wild.
Skiing in spring, beaches and barbecues in summer, vacations in July, picking wild fruits in the mountains in autumn, and celebrating Christmas in winter. It seems that every Nordic family lives like this.
No other country in the world is as fractured as Norway, and the culprits behind all this are the fjords, glaciers and the waves of the North Sea.
Norway, with its long, winding coastline and numerous islands, is known as the "Land of a Thousand Islands." It boasts world-class, breathtaking fjords. Losing time amidst Norway's endless winding fjords is a thrilling experience.
Geirangerfjord has always been recognized as the most beautiful fjord in the world and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. It has pure and magnificent snow-capped mountains, mirror-like blue lakes, and lush green fields and grasslands, all of which challenge people's breathing and heartbeat.
The Lysefjord, ranked as the world's most spectacular natural landscape by CNN, is also the place closest to heaven.
The Sognefjord is the largest fjord in Norway and the longest and deepest fjord in the world, with a total length of 240 kilometers and a maximum depth of 1,308 meters. It is a secluded paradise that allows people to be away from the world.
The Hardangerfjord has the "Devil's Tongue" that makes people want to conquer it.
Norway's Atlantic Coast Road, the most beautiful scenic road in Northern Europe, is also the most dangerous and beautiful coastal road in the world. It was once selected by the British "Guardian" as one of the world's best road trip destinations. It is also called the "Road to Heaven" by travelers. There are beautiful natural scenery along the way. This is a road that can make people intoxicated.
On weekdays, the seas are calm, and you can occasionally spot whales and seals. But when a hurricane approaches, the majestic scenery is beyond imagination! Summer is the best time to visit, when the seas are calm, the scenery is beautiful, and you may even spot seals and seabirds.
Driving along the Eagle Road (Ørnevegen) is the best way to experience the Geirangerfjord. Beneath the road lies the magnificent Geirangerfjord, flanked by lush forests and towering mountains, with waterfalls cascading down the cliffs. From the viewpoints along the road, take in the fjord scenery and breathe deeply—your very breath moves your pulse.
Bergen, Norway, is Europe's Seattle, known as the "Rain City." It rains for more than two-thirds of the year, or over 200 days.
Norwegians themselves say: Bergen is the most beautiful! Nestled against a charming harbor, it is surrounded by seven mountains and seven fjords, like a moon surrounded by stars, like a crystal embedded in the long coastline.
Bergen boasts over 900 years of history, founded during the Viking Age and once serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Norway. Its residents are deeply patriotic and proud of Bergen's diverse character, history, and cultural heritage. Bryggen Wharf is a prominent UNESCO World Heritage site from this glorious era.
Most of the buildings on the pier are wooden structures with bright colors and unique style. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1979.
Bergen is also a harbor town with a modern flair. Historic buildings from different eras are neatly interspersed with newer structures. The numerous cafes, small restaurants, and charming shops add to the city's romantic atmosphere.
Finland is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" and has an astonishing forest coverage rate of 75%, ranking among the top in Europe and even the world.
In Finland's lake district, 180,000 lakes of all sizes and vast tracts of lush green forests stretch for thousands of miles, connecting all the beauty of Finland's summer.
You can get up early and take a walk to the lakeside by the woods, or bring your fishing gear and spend an afternoon fishing by the lake.
Berries and mushrooms can be found in most Finnish forests. Wild berries, blueberries, and strawberries are everywhere in the mountains and you can easily find a basketful of them.
If you want to have an intimate contact with nature, you can follow the locals and jump into the cool lake water to cool down your body. When you are tired of swimming, you can return to the cabin and take a traditional Finnish sauna.
In Finland, there is almost one sauna cabin for every two people. For centuries, sauna cabins have been regarded as a place to purify the body and mind. When people take off their clothes and stand together, they seem to suddenly gain a mysterious power that can reach deep into each other's hearts.
"The sauna is the entrance to heaven and the exit to hell." Finns are born in saunas, hold bachelor parties before weddings in saunas, hold meetings in saunas, and die in saunas. In Finland, saunas are closely related to human life.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is small in size but brims with endless possibilities, perhaps due to the education they received. You might also notice that there aren't many renowned universities in Northern Europe, as the government has specifically enacted policies to prevent a widening gap between universities.
If there are prestigious schools, young people will fight tooth and nail to get into them, which means they have no time for entertainment, no time to learn painting or music, and therefore their understanding of art and nature seems to be more profound.
The geometric structures in the rock church are mesmerizing to look at, not to mention the notes drifting from the organ; being here is a blessing.
The Amos Rex Art Museum is named after the highly respected Finnish art collector Amos Anderson, who, after his death, opened his residential building to the public as a museum showcasing his private collection.
The building, which appears above the ground like a curved "chimney", brings sunlight into the underground space and forms a new "topography" on the ground. Through the magical architectural imagination, people passing by can walk and rest on it, maintaining the functionality of the square itself while blending seamlessly into the environment.
These circular glass skylights may really have this kind of magic, allowing people who come here to see not only an underground space in Helsinki, but also a surreal underground feast in Northern Europe.
Denmark is a country of bicycles. Leisure and a happy life have become common phenomena in this country. Even CEOs of large companies are willing to "ride" to work.
People ride bicycles through the city, whether for commuting, strolling, or buying groceries... It is not only a lifestyle, but also represents a perfect life philosophy.
In Copenhagen, people only want better coffee, a leisurely pace of time, vibrant architecture, simple and practical objects, natural and pure food, and a peaceful and joyful life...
In addition to the Little Mermaid and the Royal Palace, you must ride to Tivoli Amusement Park, the oldest amusement park in Europe, be a happy child for a day, taste the sweet cotton candy, and enjoy the amazing rides, and you will realize that happiness can be so simple.
You can also ride past trendy neighborhoods where artists gather, internet-famous restaurants loved by city dwellers, and popular check-in spots, where you will encounter many unexpected surprises.
In Denmark, a tiny, isolated island nestled in the North Atlantic, dances with the wind in its solitary embrace. Millions of years ago, the Creator carved out the European continent with a stone axe, and the resulting debris gave rise to the isolated and magical Faroe Islands.
Coming here, it feels like you have arrived at the end of the world. All you can see are short trees, gravel, volcanic rocks and meadows. 18 islands of various sizes make up the Faroe Islands, which covers an area of 1,399 square kilometers, which is only slightly larger than Hong Kong.
It has the most beautiful waterfalls flowing into the sea, the most dangerous cliffs, and the wildest ecological environment. It is a cold wonderland at the end of the world.
Sweden is a graceful prince, where the well-preserved medieval old town and modern Nordic-style architecture are perfectly combined. In such a noble country, warm design permeates every corner.
The Swedes pursue the Lagom lifestyle, which means "not too much, not too little, just right". Their clothing design, simplified home furnishings, and the combination of rigidity and flexibility in architecture are all practicing the just-right Lagom philosophy. No wonder local brands such as H&M, IKEA, and Volvo are so popular around the world.
The good designs loved by locals are also hidden in second-hand stores, antique furniture stores, and auctions. Those old furniture polished by time not only symbolize the peak era of Nordic design, but also carry the responsibility of recording a family's feelings.
Stockholm's subway stations are also a major attraction! Each station has a different view. With just one Stockholm subway ticket, you can enjoy sculptures, murals, paintings, installation art, inscriptions, and reliefs from the 1950s to the 21st century.
Kiruna Church, also known as the Portable Church, designed by Gustav Wickman, has been voted Sweden's favorite building since 1912.
The world's first ice hotel was also created in Sweden. Artists design and build rooms using thousands of tons of ice and 30,000 cubic meters of snow and ice for eight weeks from October to December each year. After spring, the ice melts back into nature's embrace.
"The capital of Sweden is Stockholm, and its most beautiful city is Gothenburg." As the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Gothenburg has a gentlemanly feel with a maritime flavor. The sea breeze and the gentleness of the people in the city are very charming.
While riding the waves here isn't for everyone, a relaxing sea fishing trip is a great option. Hop aboard a vintage fishing boat for a slightly time-traveling sailing trip, and you'll discover that freshly caught seafood paired with the ocean breeze is incredibly delicious.
"One day, I watched 44 sunsets."
The Little Prince watched 44 sunsets on his planet. As romantic as Iceland is, you can also experience 44 sunsets in Iceland in summer.
Iceland, the name alone exudes a fairy-like aura, and it is considered to be "the most alien-like place on Earth."
Iceland has appeared more and more frequently in the past two years. Almost half of the people list this small Nordic country as the country they most want to visit, and those who have been there have also confirmed that it is indeed a mysterious wonderland.
Iceland's summer allows you to experience all four seasons. You will be amazed that almost all the beauty in the world is gathered here.
Iceland is located below the Arctic Circle, so it also has the ultimate romance of the midnight sun.
The midnight sun appears from June 16th to 29th. The daylight hours in May, July, and August are also very long, and you can feel the wonder of the sun lingering in the midnight.
In this Icelandic summer, the sun can stay for you for hours at its most beautiful, just to prolong the short beauty of this world. You can chase the sunset like the Little Prince out of sadness, or you can chase the sunrise and sunset in Iceland for the ecstasy in your heart.
In addition to the midnight sun, Iceland turns into a painting in the summer
Purple comes from lupine
Green comes from the tundra
Red brought by puffins
The blue comes from the gradually softening glaciers
That dazzling golden color comes from the last ray of sunshine at midnight, and you shining in the sunset.
The dark night sky is suddenly illuminated by wondrous beams of light, which swirl and bend across the sky, creating a colorful and mysterious show. This is the Aurora Borealis, a wonder you might only experience once in a lifetime.
You can chase the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway, or gaze at them from the comfort of your glass igloo in Finland. Every moment is eternal.
The "New Nordic Cooking Manifesto" is a movement launched by Nordic people in the food culture industry, called NEW NORDIC FOOD MANIFESTO.
In addition to returning to simple cooking methods, they emphasize using as many local ingredients as possible, especially local vegetables. They believe that high-quality vegetables grow in Northern Europe, and the local climate and soil environment give vegetables a special flavor.
Northern Europe is also a veritable Michelin power. The 2019 Nordic Michelin Restaurant Guide was released in Aarhus, Denmark, and Denmark and Norway were both big winners.
Noma Restaurant, Denmark
Known as the world's most difficult restaurant to book a table at! Noma, located in Copenhagen, was converted from an 18th-century shipping warehouse in Christianshavn. Specializing in molecular cuisine and Nordic food, it has been repeatedly voted the "world's number one restaurant."
Thörnström Restaurants in Gothenburg
It has hosted the Nobel Banquet, the Swedish King's 60th birthday banquet, the Nobel Banquet, and the dignitary dinner for the Swedish Crown Princess' wedding, and has been recognized by everyone from the Swedish royal family to the world's catering industry.
Frantzén / Lindeberg, Stockholm
This is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant with only 19 seats. The chef is committed to "a culinary journey of free creation and loyalty to every ingredient of the food," so the restaurant's style is quite casual. The daily menu is randomly decided in the evening, so you don't know what you will taste until the food is served.
Kong Hans Kælder, Copenhagen
Opened in 1976, it became the first Danish restaurant to receive a Michelin star in 1983. Kong Hans Kælder, also known as the restaurant's address, means King Hans's wine cellar, and the restaurant's roof boasts a vaulted ceiling over 500 years old.
Miraculous Undersea Restaurant
The underwater restaurant is located on the coast of the southeasternmost corner of Norway. The name of the restaurant "Under" means "miracle" in Norwegian. This name probably reflects the architect's expectations for it.
Like some kind of human remains left after the end of the world, this huge building is half leaning against the steep coast, and the other half sinks and extends to the seabed. This is the entrance to the world of miracles.
The giant glass windows allow users to see the shape of the seabed, where humans can have dinner with the magical creatures on the seabed.
Fika, which means coffee break in Swedish, is a Swedish way of life. Swedes enjoy it anywhere, anytime, alone, in a group, at home, in the office, on a park bench, and so on.
The most important meaning of Fika is to slow yourself down, put aside the pressure of life, and enjoy the time.
As the fourth-highest coffee consumer in the world, the Swedes are also coffee lovers. Enjoying Fika in Sweden requires a cup of strong coffee and, of course, delicious Swedish pastries.
The summer solstice is here, which means the annual Midsummer Festival of the Nordic people is also coming.
As an important traditional festival for residents of the Nordic region, Midsummer is held every Friday between June 19th and 25th. It was originally intended to celebrate the upcoming long days and short summer. After all, after experiencing the cold and harsh winter nights, nothing is more pleasant than the sunny and warm summer days.
One of the most common things people do during Midsummer is to light bonfires. In ancient Scandinavian culture, this was a way to drive away darkness. Later, with the large-scale introduction of Christianity into Nordic countries, Midsummer naturally became religious, becoming a festival associated with St. John's Day. On this day, people would light bonfires and burn the witches who caused the beheading of John the Baptist.
Both Sweden and Finland share a legend that if a woman gathers seven different flowers, her future lover will appear in her dreams (or, in some cases, in her reflection in water). Ancient Sweden even has stories of women going out en masse to "hunt" for their lovers during this time of year. The Nordic landscape, awash with flowers around midsummer, is a legend both romantic and realistic.
Most Nordic locals gather with family and friends at their holiday cottages on Midsummer Eve, enjoying saunas, swimming, barbecues, and bonfires on the shore under the midnight sun. Even those living in southern Northern Europe who don't see the "sun never sets" summer can still enjoy a Midsummer Eve without darkness.
There are many definitions of "happiness", and the happiness of Nordic people comes from being satisfied with everything they have.
