LEHTIKUVA / AFP

Due to the COVID pandemic, most couples are choosing to celebrate Valentine's Day 2021 indoors rather than stepping out. Add to it 'lockdown fatigue', many couples this year need innovative ways of expressing and communicating their love to their partner. A quick dipstick survey conducted by Oye Happy found that 80 percent of couples, who previously celebrated Valentine's Day at a club, restaurant or outdoors, prefer doing so at home this year.

Dua Lipa poses backstage with her awards for Best Dance Recording for "Electricity" and for Best New Artist at the 61st Grammy Awards, Photo Room in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (ANI/REUTERS Photo)

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to almost everything, with many award ceremonies and cultural activities facing the brunt of the health crisis. While everything remains uncertain, several details regarding this year's Grammy Awards have been revealed.

As per Variety, a number of details have begun to emerge about how the show will be run, although as with everything during a pandemic, it's all subject to change.

Entrance of Nesebar, one of the tourist attraction of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast

As more people are vaccinated and countries open to cross border travel for those with a Covid certificate, Bulgaria emerges as one of the first places ready to accept international tourists. Covid  infection rates in the country have been low to moderate and the local vaccination program is ongoing. The country has had two waves since the beginning of the pandemic, but the average number of new cases in July for the whole country remained under 70 which compared to Finland’s July average of 300 is rather tolerable.

The majority of Finnish citizens can get the COVID-19 certificate easily from My Kanta Pages. However, still last week, some certificates of recovery were not produced, but the situation is now significantly better due to technical updates. In July, a total of 420 400 people have retrieved the EU Digital COVID Certificate from My Kanta Pages.

Whether you are planning a vacation or a staycation, be sure to practice sound holiday hygiene

Summer is finally here. Tourist spots are opening up and the school year is drawing to a close.  As the vaccination programs proceed and countries “turn green” one after each other, airlines and tour operators are rebooting their activities. One thing is certain: the travel industry will never be the same.

Picture from Matka Nordic Travel Fair 2020 - Messukeskus

The largest travel fair in Northern Europe, Matka Nordic Travel Fair is rescheduled to January 2022 due to the prolonged Corona situation and authorities’ restrictions. Despite of this, the travel industry is still anticipating the future with hope. To support the rapid recovery of the industry, Matka Workshop Day for professionals will be organised as a virtual event on 20 May 2021.

Beach chairs at the popular Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa (Image: Lehtikuva)

THE GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS HAS REVEALED plans to open up the country to leisure travelers from Finland without restriction from tomorrow.

St. Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city with a population of over five million people. Still, almost everything you want to see is located in a comfortable distance from each other at the historical centre. 

The city was built by Peter The Great in 1703 - right after it was conquered back from the Swedes. Peter, who grew up in Moscow and disliked his hometown, wanted to build a European style town in Russia. He was the first Russian Tsar to travel to Europe, spending over two years travelling around with his entourage.

A Viking reenactor plays the Nordic bagpipe

Tourism in Helsinki has never been as central to its local economy as it is right now. In 2017, the number of overnight stays in Helsinki shot up by 13%, crossing the four-million barrier for the first time in history, and overnight stays in the wider Helsinki region crossing 5.3 million. 

It’s stunning growth, but its source remains somewhat elusive.