Bike your way through the Nordic art, culture, and heritage

Danes are a happy bunch. So happy, in fact, that they are considered the happiest people in the world, as year after year these Scandinavians smile their way to the top of lists of happiness index and high spirits. Surely, there must be a reason for why they’re so happy? Maybe there’s even more than one? Well, they have their famous hygge, a word used to describe “creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people”. Hygge is a big part of the spirit of Danes and comes with plenty of benefits. Apart from its social perks, hygge is said to ease depression, anxiety, and stress, and increase feelings of self-worth, optimism, and mindfulness. If you find no other souvenir to fit in your backpack, the concept of hygge could be worth bringing back home (abstract, perhaps, but very light). They also do a whole lot of bike riding. They bike to work, to pick up their kids, to the shop, across town, and to friends and with friends. The country is neither mountainous nor big, and its infrastructure is designed for bicycles, so it makes sense to save some gas money and pedal your way through the cities and countryside. It’s easy, good for our planet, and even gives us exercise. Maybe they’re onto something here?