The littlest and southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, Denmark offers a beguiling mix of lively cities and rural countryside. Ancient castles, ring forts, jazz festivals, the sleekest modern design you'll ever see and the people who invented Lego - who could ask for more?

Danish Vikings once took to the seas and ravaged half of Europe, but these days they've filed down their horns and forged a society that is seen as a benchmark of civilisation, with progressive policies, a commitment to free speech and a liberal social-welfare system.