Denmark: Scandinavia's greatest treasure

It is the land of fairytales. It made Lego blocks a rite of passage for every child. It inspired Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's greatest plays. It is synonymous with pastries, and traces its rich history back to the Vikings.More than one study — including a 2009 report from the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — has identified its people as the "happiest in the world".The secret to what makes Denmark one of the treasures of Scandinavia is cities like Copenhagen — its crown jewel. Much like other European cities, Copenhagen is a shifting canvas of contemporary art and centuries-old architecture. Just a short walk along the Harbour baths at Islands Brygge waterfront brings to mind a picture of how comfortably the two converge. Locals often swim in the canal, sunbathe, read or paint on the green strip overlooking the water.Step away from the lawn and you are greeted with home-made ice cream stores, outdoor bistros and cafes — a pleasure to visit during the Danish summer, which usually peaks at 21 degrees Celsius. Those inclined to soak in the charm of gothic architecture would enjoy a walk further north into the heart of the city. Here, the stately Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum is only a stone's throw away from the striking Rococco-style buildings that make up the Amalienborg Palace, the main residence of the Danish royal family. If you're in the vicinity at noon, you can witness the march of the royal guards. For a change of scene to something less regal, more fun, Copenhagen's well-known Tivoli Gardens is a must-see. One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, it even has the oldest-known wooden roller-coaster, requiring a driver to operate the brake lever! The city has something for everyone, especially those willing to walk or cycle. One of the most environment-friendly places in the world, Copenhagen sees about 36 per cent of people working or studying in the city commute by bicycle. According to the Cycling Embassy of Denmark, nine out of ten Danes own a bicycle. It's no wonder then that the region has invested in dedicated cycle highways and pedestrian-only districts. Stroget, Copenhagen's largest shopping area, is also the world's longest pedestrian street — over one kilometre in length. From quaint Danish pipe shops and boutiques with local designs to high-end international brands, the street is a shopper's delight. But the city's main sights can also be explored with canal tours, offering sights of Denmark's most-loved statue — The Little Mermaid, along with the uniquely-designed Opera House and the channels of Christianshavn. Going by life in Copenhagen, it's easy to see why Danes are the happiest people in the world. Emirates airline recently launched daily flights to Copenhagen from Dubai, starting from Dh3,075. In the last decade, Denmark's metropolitan region — comprising mainly Copenhagen — has led the growth in Danish tourism, according to Wonderful Copenhagen, Denmark's tourism body. It saw an average annual growth of 2.6 per cent in overnight stays between 2001 and 2010. Estimated turnover in 2010 for tourism in the region was 29 billion crowns (Dh20.19 billion). From / Gulf News