It’s almost summertime, and as we move into the holiday season, many people are already packing their bags. My social media feed is filled with photos of friends enjoying their early vacations. Some jetting off to several cities in just a few days, others soaking up the charm of a single destination at their own pace. A few of these posts sparked something in me and inspired this blog entry.

What’s Your Holiday Style? Express vs. Slow Travel

The Express Travel Lifestyle

From my perspective, an “express” holiday is the kind of trip where you hop on an overnight train or bus, explore a city the next morning, and then catch another train that same evening to a new destination. And repeat. This pace can go on for days.

When I was a student, I saw this style a lot, especially among friends from outside the EU who wanted to make the most of their time and visa access by seeing as many countries as possible. I get it. As a student, there were discounts, benefits, and a certain thrill in ticking off countries from a list. It’s highly understandable, and for many, it’s a dream come true.

Embracing the Slow Travel Experience

Then there’s the slower, more intentional kind of travel, the kind I personally prefer. This means spending several days in the same city, wandering through its neighborhoods, lingering in local cafés, or simply soaking up its rhythm without a packed itinerary.

Even when I was a student, I found myself drawn to this pace. I’ve never been good with tight schedules. To me, travel should be a way to pause and reset, not just physically, but mentally.

Now, in my working life, where mindfulness and conscious thinking are important to me, I value meaningful breaks even more. If my day job demands mental clarity, there’s no way I’d want my holidays to feel like a frantic rush. That would defeat the whole point of rest and reflection during vacation.

Of course, I respect people who thrive on express holidays. They’re full of energy, eager to see as much as they can. I don’t have an issue with that, until the judgment starts.

The Problem With Snap Judgments: Express Visit Isn’t Enough to Judge a City

Here’s where the conversation takes a turn.

We live in an age where opinions are broadcast instantly. Social media gives everyone a mic and sometimes, those opinions come from a place of limited experience.

This morning, I saw someone post about their recent trip, saying: “Helsinki is the least interesting city I’ve ever visited.”

This statement came from someone who had only been there for less than 10 hours.

That surprised me. Not because they didn’t like the city, but because their statement came off as conclusive. Here’s why:

• They only visited the city center
• They didn’t explore local culture, art, or nature
• They overlooked major icons like Oodi Library, Marimekko, and Artek
• They seemed to expect Renaissance-style architecture like you’d find in Italy or Spain

In my opinion, this isn’t just a travel issue. It’s a mindset. When you generalize based on a tiny sample size, you not only miss the bigger picture. You risk misleading others.

If that traveler had more time (and curiosity), here’s just a glimpse of what Helsinki offers:

• Over 30 libraries and countless indie bookstores
• Iconic design stops like Marimekko and Artek
• Suomenlinna, a sea fortress steeped in history
• Nature walks in Viikki Arboretum
• Award-winning cafés with seasonal desserts and rotating menus
• Local festivals from Design Week to Comic-Con, book fairs, and beyond

I’ve lived in Helsinki for over a year and a half, and even now, I still haven’t seen everything. I even dedicated a special category called Life in Helsinki in this blog to share my experiences here, because I’ve had so many exciting moments and events that have helped me become more human. Something that’s hard for modern human beings to find in today’s era.

Why We Need to Think Twice Before We Judge (Especially Online)

Jumping to conclusions based on a few hours, or a single glance, doesn’t just hurt cities or places. It reflects a broader problem we face today: the rise of impulsive, uninformed opinions.

Just because we can say something online doesn’t mean we should, especially if the experience behind the opinion is shallow or biased. We owe it to ourselves (and others) to speak thoughtfully. Not everything needs to be a hot take.

So, whether you’re a fast-paced traveler or a slow wanderer, do your thing. Explore the world the way you want to. Just don’t forget: one story isn’t the whole story.

And please, don’t let 10 hours define an entire city.