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Finland offers free trips for singles seeking love, food culture

Published : Tuesday, 3 November, 2026 at 3:58 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Finland is inviting single adults from around the world to participate in an all-expenses-paid blind dating experience in February 2027 to introduce international travelers to Finnish food culture while helping them find romantic partners.

The tourism board Visit Finland launched the campaign, titled "Finnish Dinner Date," to foster connections through the country's culinary heritage.

According to Forbes, 16 single adults will be selected for the trip scheduled from February 9 to 19, 2027.

Participants will explore traditional Finnish cuisine, sample regional delicacies, and join special group dinner dates with local Finnish singles in Helsinki and the Lakeland region city of Tampere.

Menus crafted by top Finnish chefs will feature traditional ingredients such as wild fish, varied berries, and it will also showcase wild-harvested mushrooms to highlight the connection between Finnish food, nature, and seasonal produce.

Heli Jimenez, Senior Director of International Marketing at Business Finland, stated in a release that Finnish food reflects the nation's happiness by building connections with places, seasons, and people. She noted that food unites Finns, prompting the invitation for travelers to join in a unique manner.

The concept stems from a Finnish dating custom known as "Singkokori," where select supermarkets provide pink shopping baskets to signal that a shopper is single and open to starting conversations.

Tourism officials aim to promote Finnish cuisine globally, believing it remains somewhat overlooked compared to other European traditions. Jimenez added that every aspect of Finnish culinary art—from sauna food culture to wild foraging—offers stories unavailable elsewhere.

The international tourism board noted that the dinner dates will operate as relaxed group events where participants share meals featuring official Finnish tasting menus.

Eligibility and Application Process

Single adults aged 18 and above who reside outside Finland are eligible to apply individually.

Applicants must record a short video in English answering the question, "What would you serve on a dinner date and why?" The video must be posted on a public social media account such as Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube using the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tagging Visit Finland.

Applications close at 11:59 AM Finnish time on November 10. Visit Finland will announce the selected participants on its Instagram and TikTok accounts on December 1.

The tourism board will cover all expenses for selected participants, including airfare, accommodation, dining, and travel activities throughout the trip.

-SA