Denmark, the Latin country of Scandinavia, seems far from the clichés of the Far North. At the forefront of design and new technologies, this country where life is good to live has managed to combine tradition and modernity, simplicity and originality. The landscapes are sublime everywhere and, at every time of the year, Denmark has a lot to offer. Especially at the beginning of summer, when you have the opportunity to relive the country's mythical past during the Frederikssund Viking Festival, about 50 kilometres from Copenhagen
The insularity of its geography has not broken down Denmark's unity, however, while enriching it with natural and cultural diversity. Although its history was long linked to that of Scandinavia, there is still a Danish identity and a nationalist feeling, in love with Viking sagas and the history of its royal dynasties. Combining courtesy, rigour and relaxation, the Danes have an exemplary social policy system, and behind the discretion lies great efficiency. "Live and let live! ", this is a motto that admirably reflects the Danish identity. Peaceful Copenhagen unveils its royal palaces and parks, its museums, its towers whose bold architecture proudly stands out in a calm capital from the outside and warm inside. The nearby Baltic Sea bathes the city and its stream of cyclists in a sweet maritime scent, and the Little Mermaid, the city's symbol, discreetly watches over a city that once inspired the famous storyteller H. C. Andersen. Perhaps we owe him part of the magical and pleasantly nostalgic atmosphere that hovers over Copenhagen?
The northern moors of the Jutland Peninsula also offer an unfamiliar landscape of rolling dunes clinging to cliffs or gradually covered by sand. Then a different but just as majestic spectacle as that of the fjords is offered to us, that of the lakes, the beech forests, the many charming and more or less flat or rocky islands or the vast beaches of fine sand that border the West Coast. Finally, it is halfway between Iceland and Norway, in the North Atlantic, that one of the jewels of the Danish crown is discovered: the Faroe Islands, a volcanic and green archipelago, swept by a pure breath that caresses gentle mountains where ancient villages lie. Travelling in the Far North is finally letting yourself be carried away by a beneficial nature and a most welcoming people... So, "Live and let live! »
Welcome and modernity
A good number of preconceived ideas still persist as soon as a Scandinavian country is mentioned: the legendary coldness of a people who live to the rhythm of invariably long winters... And yet! Neither the Danish mood nor the Danish climate can be associated with such a cliché. If the climate is temperate, the Danish temperament can sometimes be fiery! This apparent coldness is simply due to a form of respect and discretion, even timidity, or even rigour in this society. You can travel to Denmark in complete peace and security, without fear of being quoted or harassed, which certainly does not imply a lack of interest on the part of these fellow Europeans! Proud of their belonging, the Danes will make it a point of honour to welcome you. Flattered by your visit to this still little-known kingdom, they will work to make your stay easier. The French are particularly well received in Denmark, and for good reason, the Danes being great gastronomes and lovers of good wine! The hotel structures have been developed and the service is commensurate with the services offered. Travel is facilitated by modern road infrastructure (highways are free), and public transport is reliable and varied. Denmark is also an ideal destination for family travel: many cultural sites have specially designed facilities for children. Most cafés and restaurants offer special menus for the youngest, amusement parks and many green spaces also offer the opportunity to share pleasant, peaceful and entertaining moments with the family...
A country on a human scale
It doesn't matter if you have a week or a month... Nothing seems exaggerated in this small kingdom in which you can easily move from one point to another. Copenhagen is a capital on a human scale, and you can immerse yourself in record time in the sweet atmosphere that characterizes this city where life is good. The short distances make it easy to walk to the various points of interest in the country's main cities. There is no need to spend a whole day visiting a museum, you can walk around it in complete peace and quiet, without dragging the anguish of the wide open spaces if you have limited time!
More than thirteen centuries of art and history
It is no wonder that the oldest kingdom in the world is a highly cultural destination. This royal dynasty is a thousand years old. King Christian IV, King Builder, left an impressive legacy: in the centre of Copenhagen there are no less than four royal residences, about twenty castles and manor houses on the island of Seeland alone and about sixty throughout the country! But Denmark was also the stronghold of the Vikings; about fifteen sites, veritable open-air museums, still cover the whole country today. It is also impossible not to praise the efficiency of Danish museums: bright, airy and modern spaces, in harmony with the surrounding nature, which do not leave any ice!
Unusual landscapes
Although two thirds of the territory is made up of cultivable land, there are still "wild" lands that offer landscapes that are still unusual and breathtaking in all seasons: chalk cliffs on the island of Møn (south of Seeland) that rise to more than 100 m, but also Skagen and the northern tip of Jutland that are appreciated for their northern light, their magic colours that once inspired Danish painters. It is also difficult to ignore the west coast of the peninsula, with its vast fine sandy beaches and dune seas that attract thousands of visitors every year. Beech forests, expansive moors and rolling hills, an exceptional coastline, add a touch of magic and undoubtedly break a certain monotony that has been wrongly blamed on Denmark!
In Frederikssund, to relive the Viking past
In Frederikssund, we are here on the banks of the Roskilde Fjord (275 km long) which becomes narrower at this point, allowing a bridge to cross it easily. About fifty kilometres from the capital, the hilly countryside offers beautiful harmonious landscapes of woods and fields. The landscape is superb passing through Skibby. You can also visit the island of Orø, which is in the middle of the fjord.
And, from June 21 to July 14, we are immersed in the Viking universe on the occasion of Frederikssund Vikingespil, the famous Viking festival. On this occasion, all the inhabitants of the city replay great Viking scenes in period costumes. Battles are reenacted with enthusiasm, theatre scenes see stories and legends revived, while visitors from all over the world are fascinated by more real-than-life sword fights. Amateurs of the "Viking" series, plus a minute to lose. A Danish excursion is a must!
Smart info
When? When? You can go to Denmark all year round, but the most pleasant season is between spring and summer: the long days of June are the ideal time. To attend the Viking Festival, visit Frederikssund from June 21 to July 14, 2019.
Getting there. Average price of a Paris-Copenhagen flight (220 € in high season, 150 € in low season). Then it takes 51 km to reach Frederikssund or 45 minutes by train.
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Useful. To prepare your Danish getaway as well as possible.
DENMARK TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the website
FREDERIKSSUND VIKINGESPIL - More information on the website
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