The Kingdom of Denmark is made up of Jutland, the large peninsula, and several islands including Zealand, Funen, Vendsyssel-Thy, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm. Denmark also holds – as autonomous provinces – the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
The Danes have a flinty, seafaring past (the Vikings were their ancestors after all), a relaxed approach to life and a strong design aesthetic. Their central philosophy is “hygge”, which is as important to them as “chic” is to the French or “craic” is to the Irish. “Hygge” suggests coziness, a way of shutting out external stresses. It often means spending time with family and friends, eating and drinking.
Denmark is one of the world’s most liveable countries. It’s not the cheapest (sales tax is 25 per cent) but it’s well ordered, clean and safe with more than 6,000 miles of cycle tracks. Its laidback cities include Copenhagen, the capital, Aalborg, Esbjerg and Odense. Green forests and clean beaches are less than an hour away.
