Holidayhomes in Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark is the southernmost country of Scandinavia. Denmark consists mainly of the peninsula of Jutland and about 450 islands. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy whose current head of state is Margrethe II. Greenland also belongs to the Danish kingdom as do the Faeroe Islands. Most of Denmark is formed by the peninsula of Jutland (Jylland). The capital (Copenhagen) is located on the largest of the Danish islands, Zealand, which is separated from Sweden by a narrow strait called the Sound. The islands of Funen (Fyn; now connected to Jutland), Bornholm, Lolland, Falster and Langeland belong to Denmark and lie in the Baltic. Germany borders Denmark to the south. To the west lies the North Sea, to the east the Baltic Sea. The Skagerrak is the border in the northwest while Kattegat lies to the northeast.
Denmark is the smallest country in Scandinavia, but no less special. This is the land of the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, the virgin beaches of Jutland, the city of Copenhagen, smorrebrod (rye bread with herring), and many surprising islands like Lolland, Mon and of course Zealand.
Denmark does have some things in common with the Netherlands: farms, small villages, fields and pastures and quaint little towns and churches. Denmark has a long coastline (7500 km long) with many beaches. Jutland especially has beautiful beaches. Museums in Aalborg and Roskilde are dedicated to the times of the Vikings. Viking ships are on display in Roskilde. Wide sandy beaches and the beautiful area around the Limfjord, like the Lake District around Silkeborg, are ideal for water sports. The versatile East Jutland has safe sandy beaches and numerous attractions - perfect for a holiday with the children. A unique phenomenon here is to drive by car over the sand.
West Jutland is a wonderful family area with lots of beautiful, wide sandy beaches and plenty of peace and quiet. In addition to the famous Legoland, West Jutland has many other attractions and museums. In this area the Vikings once played an important role. One of the major tourist attractions in West Jutland is Legoland, in the town of Billund. This is a world built of Lego bricks. It contains known sites from all over Europe, including Amsterdam's canals. One of the greatest works is the famous Mount Rushmore of South Dakota containing four U.S. presidents, which is made of 2.5 million pieces of Lego. “Lego” is a contraction of the Danish “leg godt” which means “toys”.
South Jutland can be regarded as the Danish fjord region. On the fjords, where boaters can enjoy themselves, you will find interesting cities like Sonderborg, Aabenraa, Horsens, Kolding and Haderslev, each with many attractions. Funen island offers plenty of opportunities for a romantic holiday in the “garden of Denmark” (so designated because of the many wild roses that grow here). The hilly landscape is ideal for cycling. Odense, situated on the island of Funen and the third most populous city in Denmark, is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. In this city, many memories of the famous folklorist can be found. In the old port towns you can enjoy a maritime atmosphere. The island of Zealand is characterized by greenery, many good beaches and lots of interesting towns. In Roskilde you can visit the splendid Viking Ship Museum and a cathedral where the Danish monarchs are buried. The island of Mon, southeast of Copenhagen, has magnificent cliffs. On the islands of Lolland and Falster you will encounter rural tranquility and miles of white sandy beaches, perfect for a seaside holiday. The northern part of the island of Zealand is a popular vacation area. A short distance from Copenhagen you’ll find wonderful beaches, intimate resorts and plenty of art and culture.
The friendly capital of Denmark is Copenhagen. This is a city full of charm and cultural treasures. You can visit the unique Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park complete with pantomime theater, concert halls, theaters and fireworks. Furthermore, Copenhagen is known for Den Lille Havfrue (the Little Mermaid), a 1913 statue commemorating Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid.
The island of Bornholm is a maverick in the Baltic: a 600 square kilometer island with hills, flat lands, rocks, gorges, lakes, forests and stunning beaches - not to mention many attractive towns. You can go walking along the coastal road or make use of special bikes on old railway embankments.