Walking My Shoes in Vaasa.

I have a new love, and it was love at first sight. Last week, an opportunity brought me to Vaasa in Finland.

Vaasa is a city on Finland’s west coast with a rich history and a bilingual charm that makes it truly special. Its background, from being founded in the 17th century to briefly serving as Finland’s capital, can inspire readers to explore its fascinating past and vibrant culture. Vaasa has everything I enjoy about travelling – it is close to nature with stunning views, has fantastic food quality and variety, and a very gentle pace of life. Locals are genuinely friendly, approachable, and charmingly shy, which makes visitors feel truly welcomed and at ease, fostering a sense of belonging. It is a great place to visit as a solo traveller. Ice hockey is a big deal here, and I enjoyed the vibe of watching a live game supporting the local team. People love storytelling here, and there are stories and legends about everything. It inspired me to buy a book of the Kalevala, myths and legends from Finland.

I felt really happy at Vaasa. Happiness must be contagious on the tap here in the superb water. And this is not a surprise after I learnt that in 2020, the City of Vaasa set the ambitious goal of becoming the happiest city in the world. Happiness was established as a strategic goal, shaping the development of city services and daily life.
https://www.vaasa.fi/en/about-vaasa-and-the-vaasa-region/worldshappiestcity/
I wish other cities and authorities could learn from this.

The snow was an unexpected delight, adding a magical, fairy-tale touch that made Christmas feel even more enchanting and special.

I wish all my wonderful readers Christmas miracles. If you have visited Vaasa or have stories to share, I’d love to hear your impressions and experiences. Sharing helps us all connect and inspires future adventures. As for me, I am looking forward to going back to Vaasa and exploring more.

With Love As Always,
Yana De Lilac