Finland is launching a large-scale tourism campaign and inviting foreigners to join a free culinary journey through the land of lakes, saunas, and Nordic cuisine. Participants are promised an all-expenses-paid tour, accommodation, local culinary experiences, and an introduction to the Finnish way of life. Learn more about the terms of participation, the application process, and the requirements for applicants

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For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has topped the World Happiness Report and remains one of the most popular destinations for slow travel, ecotourism, and culinary travel. Now, the country has decided not just to promote its lifestyle, but to invite tourists to experience it firsthand—and for free.

The national tourism organization Visit Finland has opened applications for a special summer project called “Chill Like a Finn.” Winners will receive a few days of relaxation in Finland’s Lakeland region, including accommodation, a culinary program, trips to natural sites, and an introduction to Finnish leisure culture. To participate, you must go through several selection stages: from recording a video to submitting an official application via the campaign website.

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What is known about the free culinary tour to Finland?

The Chill Like a Finn campaign was launched by the national tourism organization Visit Finland, which promotes the country internationally. The main goal of the project is to show tourists why Finland has remained the leader in the global happiness ranking for many years in a row and how the local lifestyle affects people’s well-being.

As part of the project, the organizers plan to select several participants from different countries around the world and invite them on a free trip to the Finnish region of Lakeland—one of the country’s most famous natural areas. It is here that thousands of lakes, forests, saunas, and small gastronomic farms are located, all of which are considered an important part of Finnish culture.

The program will focus not on classic tourist routes, but on so-called “slow tourism.” Participants will experience:

- Local Finnish cuisine

- Traditional saunas

- Outdoor recreation

- Culinary workshops

- Regional products and seasonal food

- Life in small Finnish towns

The organizers state that the winners’ basic travel expenses will be covered, including accommodation, some meals, and activities within the program. However, tourists will have to cover certain personal expenses themselves—participants are informed of this during the application stage.

The trip is scheduled for the summer of 2026—the white nights period, when Finland is in the midst of its peak tourist season. During this time, temperatures in the country typically range from 18°C to 25°C, and daylight in the northern regions can last nearly around the clock.

In our previous article, we discussed what tourists should see in Helsinki in a single day.

What is included in the free trip?

The culinary tour program is designed not only to introduce participants to Finnish cuisine but also to provide a full immersion in the local lifestyle. The organizers focus on nature, a relaxed pace of life, and traditions that Finns themselves consider an important part of their happiness.

Tour participants will spend several days in the Lakeland region—Europe’s largest lake district, home to thousands of lakes, forests, and small Finnish towns.

This region is often called the “heart of the Finnish summer.”

The tour program includes:

- Accommodation in hotels or cottages

- Gastronomic dinners and tastings

- Introduction to local products

- Visits to Finnish saunas

- Outdoor activities

- Walks along lakes and forest trails

- Master classes on preparing traditional dishes

The organizers pay special attention to local cuisine. Tourists are promised dishes made with northern fish, wild berries, mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, and farm-fresh produce. In Finland, culinary tourism has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years, especially among tourists seeking eco-friendly and slow travel experiences.

Participants will also be introduced to Finnish sauna culture, which is included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For Finns, the sauna is not just a form of relaxation, but a part of daily life and social culture.

At the same time, the organizers note that some expenses may not be covered by the program. In particular, tourists should be prepared to pay for the following on their own:

- Personal purchases

- Some additional entertainment

- Certain expenses outside the program

- Insurance or entry documents, if required

Participants are also advised to check Finland’s entry requirements and ensure they have all necessary documents for traveling within the Schengen Area before the trip.

We previously reported that Finland is giving away free trips to Finnish Lakeland.

Who can apply to participate in the Chill Like a Finn program?

The campaign organizers state that adult travelers from around the world are eligible to participate in the selection process. Applications may be submitted individually or with a friend or partner, if permitted by the terms of a specific stage of the campaign.

To participate, candidates must:

- Be at least 18 years old

- Have a valid passport

- Be fluent in or have a basic command of English

- Be available to travel on the dates specified by the organizers

- Be willing to create content and participate in the project’s media activities

The organizers also emphasize social media activity. While a large following isn’t required, participants must submit a video application explaining why they want to visit Finland. Creativity and personal motivation can influence the jury’s decision.

It is important to note that some of the tour’s activities may take place outdoors—near lakes, in forested areas, or in remote locations. Therefore, participants are advised to be prepared for active recreation and changing weather conditions.

Additionally, some stages of the program may involve car transfers between regions, so having a driver’s license could be an added advantage during the selection process.

The world’s most popular tourist attractions in 2026 — see the link for the full list.

How to apply: step-by-step guide

The project organizers emphasize that the application process consists of several stages.

Participants must not only fill out the form but also create a short video for social media. The Visit Finland team will select the most interesting candidates based on these videos.

Step 1. Record a short video

The first step is to record a video about yourself and explain why you want to go to Finland. In the video, you are encouraged to discuss:

- Why you’re interested in the Finnish lifestyle

- What “happiness” means to you

- Why you want to participate in this specific food tour

- What attracts you to Finnish cuisine and culture

The organizers advise making the video as natural and creative as possible—professional filming is not required.

Step 2. Post the video on social media

After recording the video, you need to post it on social media. Typically, the following platforms are allowed for participation:

- Instagram

- TikTok

- YouTube

In your post, you must include the campaign’s official hashtags and tag the Visit Finland accounts. The organizers will review candidates’ applications based on these posts.

Step 3. Fill out the official application form

After posting the video, go to the campaign’s official website and fill out the participant questionnaire. The form usually requires you to provide:

- Name and country of residence

- Contact information

- Link to the video

- Social media pages

- Brief information about yourself

The organizers may also ask you to confirm that you are available to travel on the specified dates and agree to the use of your content in the project’s promotional materials.

Step 4. Wait for the selection results

After the application period closes, the Visit Finland team will review the participants’ applications and videos. Winners are usually notified via email or social media.

The organizers recommend checking your email regularly after submitting your application, as finalists may be sent additional questions or clarifications regarding their participation in the program.

We discussed affordable European countries for vacation in 2026 — in this article.

Why has Finland been recognized as the happiest country in the world for several years now?

Finland has held the top spot in the World Happiness Report for eight consecutive years. The ranking is based on several factors—trust in the government, safety, the environment, the quality of healthcare, work-life balance, and overall life satisfaction.

Experts cite the Finnish lifestyle as one of the main reasons for the country’s high ranking. Finns value peace, privacy, closeness to nature, and a comfortable pace of life. Most residents have access to forests, lakes, and green spaces even in large cities.

Another important factor is the culture of work-life balance. Finland has one of the lowest stress levels in Europe, and the average workweek is often shorter than in many other EU countries. At the same time, the country consistently ranks among the leaders in terms of safety, environmental protection, and the quality of education.

Tourists are also drawn to Finnish leisure culture:

- Saunas

- Camping by lakes

- Slow travel

- Local organic cuisine

- Outdoor activities

Gastronomy also plays a special role. In recent years, Finnish cuisine has become popular among tourists thanks to the trend toward natural products, farm-to-table dining, and Nordic cuisine.

Many restaurants focus specifically on seasonal local produce, freshly caught fish, wild berries, and organic ingredients.

It is precisely this lifestyle that Visit Finland plans to showcase to participants of the free food tour—free from classic mass tourism and overcrowded resorts.

Order the travel guide from Visit World and discover Finland without the help of travel agents or intermediaries!

We remind you! In our previous article, we discussed where tourists should avoid traveling in the summer of 2026 due to crowds, heat, and high prices.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents for Finland;

Legal advice on immigration to Finland;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Finland;

Medical insurance all over the world.

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