---

Planet In1 Destination Europe - Denmark

Situated in Northern Europe between the North Sea and the Baltic, Denmark is the only Scandinavian country connected to the European mainland. (The southern border of the Jutland Peninsula borders Germany.) All in all, Denmark consists of 406 islands, many of which are uninhabited. The entire country is 43,000 square kilometres/16,630 square miles in area, not including Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This modern country with high-tech agriculture, a well-organized road system and state of the art bridges is a joy in which to travel. 'Its unassuming but its good' is a Danish proverb and this outlook is widespread throughout. The uncomplicated, open-minded and practical approach to life can be seen everywhere from architecture to cuisine. Danish food is simple and often organic with the famous open sandwiches, pickled herrings and raw onions, new potatoes and wild mushrooms and of course their famous Danish pastries, or 'Vienna Bread'.

The capital, Copenhagen, a cosmopolitan city, is situated on Sealand, the largest island and is Scandinavia's largest city. Our Lady's Church, one of the oldest churches in Copenhagen, will be the venue for the marriage of Crown prince Frederick in May 2004. The city's most famous icon, the Little Mermaid statue, sits on the waterfront 10 minutes north of the city centre. The Tivoli Amusement Park, open since 1843, is one of the oldest amusement parks which has survived intact to the present day. The National Museum offers an excellent introduction to Viking history and showcases Viking artifacts. Take in a performance of the Royal Danish Ballet or Royal Opera at the historic Royal Theatre. Amalienborg Palace is the Royal Residence in Copenhagen. A number of rooms, with their original interiors preserved, are open to the public. Rosenborg Palace was built in the 17th century by the "Builder King," Christian IV and today houses the Danish Crown Jewels.

Arhus, 'the world's smallest big city' is Denmark's second biggest city and has a very lively music scene. The Old Town is an open-air museum featuring more than 70 well-preserved urban buildings, moved to the site brick by brick. The landscape recreates an old Danish market town, with a genuine atmosphere. A baker and grocer sell old-fashioned food specialties, and there are lots of activities during high season. The inner city has good restaurants, pubs and riverside cafes, as well as modern shopping in the main streets.

Odense, Denmark's third largest city on the island of Funen, is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, beloved of children the world over. Over a thousand years old, this is a friendly, relaxed city, with many pedestrianised streets and cycle paths.

Just south of the city is Egeskov (oak forest) Castle, complete with moat and drawbridge. The 15-hectare park surrounding it contains a maze and an antique car museum.

Aalborg, founded by the Vikings and dubbed 'Tidiest city in Europe' is the main city in North Jutland and is located on the shores of Limfjord, near the beautiful North Sea Coast, the hills of Rebild and the forest of Rold. With over 300 restaurants in the city and lots of entertainment venues, this is a mecca for nighthawks.

Legoland just north of Billund, is a theme park built from plastic Lego blocks and is a real thrill for children and adults alike. Outside of Copenhagen, this is the country's most visited place.

The country has thousands of kilometres of cycling routes, around the beautiful coastline and inland through pleasant countryside. The sandy beaches are good for swimming and there are many excellent spots for windsurfing from the inland fjords and sheltered coastal inlets to the open sea. With the hundreds of islands and miles of coastline, yachting is also popular, while fishing is widely available both offshore and inland in the many lakes and streams.