In February the days are lighter already – and this past winter they were terribly cold, too. What a surreal feeling, then, to lounge in a tropical climate in a bathing suit, sipping cooling sparkling wine, and looking out at an icy winter coast landscape.

Movies and books are good everyday escapes. Spa weekends are excellent luxury escapes. The only downside is, one must close one’s eyes to imagine the tropical beaches, the wind in the palm trees, and the heat from the sun. Alternatively, one should spend time in the company of such a good friend that surroundings become irrelevant.

(Hanko, Finland; February 2018)