Denmark

This former European Capital of Culture’s waterfront entices with art galleries and a buzzing food market, while a short stroll inland brings you to cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and cottages draped in bright hollyhocks. Pause for a plate of smørrebrød topped with herring or shrimp, then bite into a still-warm, crisp and buttery Danish pastry. Walk through ARoS’s rainbow-colored skywalk or explore Den Gamle By, where costumed residents go about 18th-century routines as if the present never arrived.

A vibrant city and cultural hotspot, Aalborg has been welcoming visitors since Viking ships traversed the Limfjord. Designed by the architect behind the Sydney Opera House, the Utzon Center on the waterfront showcases innovative art and architecture, while lively pedestrian-friendly streets nearby are lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. Visit the Viking Museum for a fascinating look into Aalborg’s Viking heritage, or the Aalborg Historical Museum to trace the area’s evolution through the centuries.

Perched upon a rock in the harbor, the Little Mermaid welcomes all to this lively, fun-loving city of Danes, said to be some of the happiest people in the world. From the fabulous food and fresh water to free education, free healthcare and a 37-hour work week, this is a society firmly focused on the good life, and its capital is a joy to explore.