If you're looking for pulsating night life and spellbinding attractions, it simply doesn't get any better than the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Satisfy your craving for trend-setting fashion, fine fragrances and stunning cosmetics at Copenhagen's sophisticated Magasin Department Store, or make a pilgrimage to the posh and trendy Illum - a 5-story Mecca full of elegant restaurants and designer boutiques. Or if shopping's not your thing, don't worry - the city is packed full of cultural attractions and exciting museums. Satisfy your love of the arts at The National Gallery of Denmark, frolic in the lively family-friendly atmosphere of the Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park, or enjoy the enchanting Glyptotek Art Museum, with its exotic atmosphere and antique artwork. Then prepare to have your breath taken away by the sprawling opulence and stately rococo architecture of Amalienborg Palace - home to the Danish royal family right in the heart of the capital.
And while all of these attractions are undoubtedly magnificent, you won't be able to deny that nothing holds a candle to the Roskilde Cathedral, located in the historical district of nearby Roskilde. The building, which was first begun in 1175 and finished several centuries later, houses the graves of over 39 Danish kings and queens – making it the largest royal graveyard in the world. It's no surprise it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1995! While conquering the steep cobblestone streets of Roskilde, be sure to raid the The Viking Ship Museum, where you'll find ships so well-preserved they seem ready to unfurl the topsail and set off in search of plunder. Learn about the fierce, independent nature of these wild berserkers from the North, and feel the ice flow through your veins as you ply the fog-shrouded waters of Roskilde Fjord in an authentically reconstructed Viking ship. West of Roskilde, you'll find the Land of Legends Centre for Historical-Archaeological Research, where you can go on a journey back in time from the Danish Stone Age right up to the Middle Ages.
Or if you've had your fill of urban hustle and bustle, make your way out to Gribskov, a 5,500 hectare forest in North Zealand, which offers peaceful relaxation and fresh pine-scented air in a magnificent setting. After a snifter of the idyllic North Zealand scenery, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebaek provides the perfect chaser with its avant-garde blend of architecture, landscaping and art. Louisiana caters especially to families, and kids can explore their passion for art in the Children's Wing, which offers daily workshops in painting, drawing and sculpting.
Vibrant atmosphere, a lively arts scene, tantalising scenery and historical charm – you'll find all of this and so much more in Zealand.
