Today is International Happiness Day, and according to the UN’s just released World Happiness Report the happiest places on earth are Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland. Here are a few itineraries to recommend to clients in these “happy” places.
#1 Finland
While its long, dark and cold days seems at odds with its listing as the happiest place on earth, Finland is a delightful surprise. Trafalgar’s 15-day Best of Finland, Russia and The Baltic States Summer 2018 trip begins in the country’s hip capital city, Helsinki, and continues to Russia’s must-see cities, plus Europe’s eastern gems.
#2 Norway
Tales of Vikings and trolls await on Trafalgar’s 9-day Best of Norway trip, which includes dinner with the fifth generation Ovre-Eide family on their livestock farm, which has been a working farm since the 1500s.
Luxury Gold offers a 13-day Timeless Scandinavia trip that takes in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Guests visit the Amalienborg Palaces in Copenhagen, take a cruise through the historic waterways of Gothenburg, and attend a moving recital in a museum music hall devoted to composer and pianist Edvard Grieg in Bergen. There’s also a guided kayaking expedition past awe-inspiring waterfalls and towering mountains in Geiranger, Norway.
#3 Denmark
Trafalgar’s 14-day Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords Summer 2018 trip makes it easy to discover the deep fjords, glaciers and islands that line the Scandinavian coastline. Clients spend time in this happiest place visiting Copenhagen, Bergen, Oslo and Stockholm, among an array of other spellbinding destinations.
#4 Iceland
This year’s fourth happiest place—Iceland—is also one of the world’s hottest places to visit and Trafalgar’s 10-day Ultimate Iceland Summer 2018 has guests discovering the stunning scenery of the country and the warmth of the Icelanders. A Trafalgar exclusives is visiting a local horse farm to learn about the pure Icelandic breed.
#5 Switzerland
Wrapping up the “top 5” happiest places is Switzerland and Trafalgar’s 8-day Contrasts of Switzerland Summer 2018 trip highlights the diversity of this destination, from its natural mountain scenery, lakes, and refined resorts to its cosmopolitan cities. This trip includes a ride on the stunning Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps from St. Moritzto Zermatt.
Luxury Gold offers an 11-day journey in Switzerland with stops in St. Moritz for a guided nature trip through the scenic mountains, before hopping aboard the world-famous Glacier Express. There’s also an orientation walk in Geneva, culminating with a dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant La Ferme de l’Hospital, a 17th century farmhouse serving innovative cuisine complemented by delicious local wines.
For more information on the Trafalgar trips, visit trafalgar.com. For more on Luxury Gold itineraries, visit luxurygoldvacations.com.
