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Denmark by Dale Nolan

Standing at the footsteps of Scandinavia, the charmingly handsome Kingdom of Denmark is a nation made so easy for visitors. Compact in size, the country boasts a long and stunning coastline, countless beaches and islands, rolling meadows and forest, a plethora of pretty canals and a clutch of Viking-inspired cities to explore. With a proud history that far exceeds its size and home of the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark is now a popular destination packed with exciting attractions and striking outdoor pursuits.

Southern tribes were the first to settle in the kingdom and arrived following the retreat of the Ice Age. Early Danes traded across Europe and the growing threat of Rome united them creating a powerful warrior class. In 780, skilled sailors from the village of Viken heralded the Viking era and over the next three centuries the Vikings pillaged and occupied swatches of Europe from Iceland to Constantinople. Later, several local conflicts saw Denmark dominate Scandinavia and by the Seventeenth century Danes had set out to claim possessions across the globe. The Napoleonic Wars however saw a downturn in fortunes and Denmark’s territories and economy dwindled. During World War Two, Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany but today it has matured into one of the most progressive nations on the continent offering one of the highest standards of living to be found anywhere on the planet.

Without argument the starting point for most visitors to the kingdom is its clean and beautiful capital of Copenhagen and the city has much to offer. The wonderfully vibrant capital lies on the eastern shores of the island of Zealand and is one of the nicest cities in Europe to explore. Lined with historic buildings and home to the oldest monarchy in the world, its glamorous mix of narrow alleyways, excellent squares, waterfront and green parks make for an attractive visitor stay.

Some of the most outstanding local attractions to see include lovely Rosenborg Castle with its royal crown jewels, the spectacular Oresund Bridge, the extraordinary golden staircase of The Church of Our Saviour, the much loved Tivoli pleasure park and the world-renowned Little Mermaid sculpture. Copenhagen, befitting its capital status, is also home to a vast range of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants and some of the most exciting districts to amble through are mural-flecked Christiania and the lively and colourful harbour area of Nyhavn.

The rest of Zealand and the many other surrounding Danish islands provide some excellent chances for quiet exploration and relaxation. Denmark’s compact size means that even the furthest island is only a charming ferry ride away and all are speckled with sightseeing activities. Some of the most worthwhile across the islands include the popular holiday coastline of Zealand’s Mons Klint, the kingdom’s awesome Vikingeskibs museum packed with ancient Viking ships, the majestic and Hamlet-famous Kronborg residence, gorgeous Bornholm and the fairytale, cultural hub of Odense.

West of Copenhagen and its clutch of beautiful islands is the striking Jutland Peninsula, which forms Denmark’s connection to mainland Europe. Jutland is packed with striking coastline, flower speckled hills and crisscrossed with rivers and canals making for an ideal destination for cycling, boat cruising, windsurfing and gentle strolls. Jutland has a staggering array of activities and attractions to tempt visitors and is within easy reach of the capital via a series of island bridges.

Some of the best to experience on the peninsula include world-famous bird watching on the mud flats and marshes of the Wadden Sea coast, river canoeing along the forest-lined Gudena River in Denmark’s Lake District, a series of wooded, mountain biking and cycling routes and world-beating windsurfing at the seaside town of Klitmoller. Elsewhere the peninsula also boasts splendid nightlife and music amongst the bustling cities of Arhus and Aalborg, a collection of Viking forts and ancient burial sites, the fantastic royal castle of Koldinghus and the kingdom’s premier visitor attraction, the fun-filled Legoland Park.

As a whole, Denmark is home to over 7000km of truly spectacular coastline and in particular - some truly inspiring beaches, bays and fjords. Some of the most inspiring and rewarding stretches of beach can be found at Gudmindrup Lyng Strand, which is excellent for swimming and sunsets, along the cafes and restaurants of sandy Tisvildeleje and all around Jutland.

The most ideal time to visit the country is during Copenhagen’s excellent Summer Jazz Festival, when the capital comes alive with concerts, and during the weekend of the world-renowned Roskilde Festival – one of Europe’s liveliest and most hedonistic musical extravaganzas. During these memorable days, the nation loses its prim and proper reputation and becomes a vibrant blend of fun and style making it an exciting destination to discover.

So what more can we say! Grab a chilled beer and deliciously sweet Danish pastry and take in the sights and sounds of this surprisingly wild and exciting country - and the chances are you will want to return time and time again.