Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to Denmark
Denmark seems to have cemented its position at or near the
top of every global quality-of-life survey. Take a look around,
and it's not hard to see why.
Happiness & Hygge
It's heart-warming to know there's still a country where the term 'fairy tale' can be used
freely - from its most enduring literary legacy to its fine textbook castles. In a nutshell,
Denmark gets it right: old-fashioned charm embraces the most avowedly forward-looking
design and social developments, and wins it a regular chart-topping place on lists of both
the most liveable
and
the happiest nations on earth. You won't have to search hard to find
some much-prized
hygge,
an untranslatable and uniquely Danish trait that has a profound
influence on the locals' inestimable happiness.
Hygge
is social nirvana in Denmark: a sense
of cosiness, camaraderie and contentment.
History & Impact
The world first took notice of Denmark more than a millennium ago, when Danish Vikings
took to the seas and ravaged vast tracts of Europe. How things have changed. These days
Denmark captures the global imagination as the epitome of a civilised society, and it
punches above its weight on many fronts: progressive politics, urban planning, sustainabil-
ity, design, architecture. Recent global crushes, freshly exported from Copenhagen include
city cycling culture, the New Nordic culinary movement, and brilliantly addictive TV
drama series.
Equality of Life
While many countries are noticeable for the ever-increasing gap between the 'haves' and
'have-nots', Denmark seems to be populated by the 'have enoughs', and the obviously rich
and obviously poor are few and far between. This egalitarian spirit allows the best of the
arts, architecture, eating out and entertainment to be within easy reach of all. Indeed, the
