for the fourth consecutive year, finland has been named the world’s happiest country for 2021, a feat that’s somewhat astounding given the nation’s reputation for dark scandi drama, long winters, and sunsets after midday. so what exactly are the habits of the happiest people on earth? what makes a happy country?

When it comes to travel, we can all learn a lot from paisa vassol. When you’re travelling in a foreign country, the shock of a new sensory experience can be overwhelming. And whilst travel guides have their place, interacting with locals and taking the time to connect with the taxi driver, or vendor who serves you a cup of coffee, will make the unknown feel a lot less scary.

Transformative experiences - those that inspire; that evoke awe; that shake us to our core - are the reason we travel. This kind of travel philosophy is one that’s gained increasing popularity in the past decade, but how exactly does one go about transformative travel? We’ve made things easy for you, with a 9-step guide on how to travel deliberately, consciously, and for meaningful, lifelong change.