DENMARK

Only Denmark could give the world both Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale whimsy and the simple triumph of design that is the Lego brick. (Incidentally: the brand name Lego translates as “play well” in Danish and also, by happy coincidence, “I build” in Latin.)

If countless happiness index polls are anything to go by, the Danes regard a fulfilling work-life balance as an unremarkable norm, and after during a short visit here, it’s really not hard to see why. This is the country that famously keeps things “hygge” in winter, but locals get out there when the sun shines; in Copenhagen, there are more bikes than people.

Visitors to the capital might like to take in the well-preserved 17th-century harbour area of Nyhavn and the quirky Tivoli Gardens amusement park, for starters. The city’s historic landmarks – not to mention its café culture, fine dining and museums – are soon revealed in all their splendour, whether seen on foot, by bike, or canal boat.