Denmark Tours & Holidays

With its northerly latitudes, early summer is the best time to see Denmark. June in particular is gorgeous, with warm weather, long summer days and fewer crowds than the peak summer season of July/August. Travelling in May or September can be lovely, although the weather may be a little more unpredictable. Midwinter, and February in particular, is the only time of year to avoid Denmark: many outdoor activities will be closed and the sky is a uniform grey, as the islands are battered by storms blown in from the North Sea.

Imagine a huge peninsula surrounded by about 443 islands. Massive bridges span the sea in between, connecting everything up, and what little land there is, sits precarious 30-odd metres above sea level. Denmark isn’t known for its soaring mountains and dramatic scenery. Most of the country is flat and formless, but beautiful nonetheless: rolling plains and flower fields, windmills turning on the horizon, white cliffs and the soft sand dunes of the north. It’s hard to measure the landmass accurately since the sea constantly rises and falls, eroding and adding material to the coast. It’s a land of small wonders rather than big statements.

1. Progressive politics

Denmark’s politics are based on compromise. Because no government has held an absolute majority since the beginning of the 20th century, everyone tends to get a say. Old, young, gay, straight, rich, poor – everyone’s welcome in Denmark. The result? People here actually like their government, and it’s rated as one of the most accountable and transparent systems in the world.

2. Cities that work

Denmark believes in ‘people-friendly cities’. You know, the ones where a city’s design actually makes life better for the people living in it. Bicycles and pedestrians rule the streets, public transport is ubiquitous, cheap and efficient, money is invested back into parks and infrastructure, and everyone gets a say. It’s a nice change to visit a country where they probably haven’t heard the phrase ‘traffic jam’.

3. Sustainability

It’d be hard to find a greener bunch than the Danes. Copenhagen in particular has been singled out for its commitment to sustainable development. It’s aiming to get 50 per cent of its citizens to cycle to work or school, not to mention going fully carbon neutral by 2025. It’s even got a special ‘Green Laboratory’ devoted to thinking up new eco-technologies for the country.

4. Great design

There’s a certain Danish attitude towards food, fashion, architecture and fine art: less is more. You’ll find a simple and functional aesthetic in almost everything in Denmark, from chairs to buildings to dinner. The Danes even designed the sweeping wings of the iconic Sydney Opera House. It all comes back to the notion of hygge: the idea that beautiful things can enrich people’s lives.

5. Quality of life

It’s the thing every country is searching for. Everyone except Denmark. This little country of 5.7 million people consistently tops global rankings for quality of life, and it’s mostly down to the ‘Solidarity System’. This is the country’s idea that no one should be left behind. So although citizens pay a lot of tax (especially the rich ones), the country is rewarded with low unemployment, universal health care, great childcare, public transport and free education. Worth it.