VISIT KRISTINE­STAD

Living and traveling might feel like a job, but so do remember to enjoy life like we Finns do.⁠ ⁠ As you have heard many times already, nature is very important to us Finns.⁠ ⁠ Most of us spend time in nature many times a week. Water and green areas are always surrounding us, even in cities. This is one of the things that makes us the happiest nation in the world.⁠ ⁠ While you are here, try the Finnish way of life and connect with nature.⁠ ⁠ Mute your phone.⁠ ⁠ Take a walk⁠ ⁠ Visit a park.⁠ ⁠ Go to a forest.⁠ ⁠ Hug a tree!⁠ ⁠ Swim in a lake (on a summer night!).⁠ ⁠ Take a deep breath of fresh air and walk slowly.⁠ ⁠ Listen to what nature is telling you.⁠ ⁠ Forget about everything else for a moment try what it feels to be like a Finn.

How to support your local businesses?⁠ ⁠ Are you an active social media user wanting to support our local businesses?⁠ ⁠ There's stuff you can do. Here are six examples:⁠ ⁠ 1) Write a positive review⁠ 2) Tell your family and friends about them⁠ 3) Follow them in social media⁠ 4) Comment their social media posts⁠ 5) Give space to them in your own channels⁠ 6) Activate notifications that tell about their actions⁠ ⁠ Doesn't cost a thing, but helps the entrepreneurs a lot! :)

Kristiinankaupunki received membership in the international Cittaslow network on April 9, 2011 and is celebrating its 10th year as a Cittaslow city this year.⁠ ⁠ Cittaslow is a network of cities where living is good.⁠ ⁠ Cittaslow towns are towns where⁠ ⁠ - people are curious of the old times⁠ ⁠ - towns with squares, cafes, workshops, restaurants and spiritual places⁠ ⁠ - towns with untouched landscapes and craftsmen⁠ ⁠ - and where people are still able to recognize the slow course of the seasons and their products.⁠ ⁠ Kristiinankaupunki can almost be said to have been ahead of its time when it joined the Cittaslow network 10 years ago. Sustainability thinking is a trend today, but 10 years ago it was not as topical.⁠ ⁠⁠ Come celebrate our anniversary during our local Cittaslow Week 7.–15.8.2021.

Kristiinankaupunki has a long tradition of multilocal people that flock to the city in the summer.⁠ ⁠ And why not, since a research mentioned in an article 13.8.2020 by @maaseutufi pointed out that a change of scenery actually creates happiness.⁠ ⁠ Craving for a change of scenery?⁠ ⁠ Kristinestad offers magic in the form of the four seasons all year round.

Staying in Kristiinankaupunki but want to do a day trip nearby?⁠ ⁠ Here’s a suggestion:⁠ ⁠ Pop in to Kaskinen, Finland's smallest city, some 30 minutes away from Kristinestad.⁠ ⁠ While on the road, you can buy tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, flowers and strawberries to go from the local greenhouse growers that you can see along the roads. ⁠ ⁠ Have lunch at @ravintolasininenhetki or on your way back at @lindskok, a restaurant where you can admire bell peppers, lemons, oranges and cucumber being grown inside the restaurant.