www.visitdenmark.com Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

And we’ve all gripped the armrest on that coach, taxi or uber in the European roads that lead to ruin but what about the countries where all roads lead to roam.

But it might surprise you which are the safest and which are the most dangerous.

With Norway and the Nordic countries (Sweden second and Denmark fourth) coming out tops.

And don’t they always?

Norway leads the way in Europe when it comes to electric vehicle charges.

It’s just the walking that trips me up in the fjords or was that a shape-shifting troll?

Norwegians could

Off the beaten track: In Norwegian fjords

Our survey today, from Vignetteswitzerland.com, analysed the latest data from the European Transport Safety Council.

To see which countries had the highest road deaths per million inhabitants.

Norway is statistically the safest country to drive in in Europe.

With 2022 showing that the country only had 21.38 deaths per million inhabitants, the lowest of any European country.

Compared to 2012 data, this is a 26.48% drop from across the decade, with 2012 having 29.08 deaths per million inhabitants.

No sweat in Sweden

Sweden comes second on the list of safest countries, with just 21.72 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Compared to 2012 data, this is a drop of 27.74% from when the country had 30.05 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Coming in third place is the United Kingdom, which comes in with 25.89 road deaths per million inhabitants.

The change in road deaths is less significant than other entries on the list.

With a drop of just 9.51% from 2012, where road deaths sat at 28.61 per million inhabitants.

Denmark takes fourth place, with 26.22 road deaths per million inhabitants in the 2022 data.

A 12.38% drop from 2012 when the country had 29.93 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Swiss like clockwork

Rounding out the top five is Switzerland, which comes in with 27.58 road deaths per million inhabitants.

A 35.29% drop from the 2012 data, the most of the top ten safest countries, with 42.62 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Now the best ways to get around Switzerland, of course, are on a pair of skis, by foot or by train.

Or why not all three?

We’ll save the countries where the driving is out of control.

Eyes on the road

Suffice to say the top five are Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Portugal.

Mind you, I’d say that the most hazardous country is anywhere I’m driving.

And don’t even let me on the other side of the road… which is exactly what mes amis in the French Riviera decided.

Instead take the load off and let someone else behind the steering wheel.

In the countries where all roads lead to roam.

Countries, Deals, Europe

It Israeli a happy place

28th March 2023 funtime65

Some may tag us revolting but we think healthy protest is a good thing which is why seeing the natives take to the streets of Jerusalem this week belies the critics and confirms to us that it Israeli a happy place.

But don’t just take our word for it (well, actually do) but Israel is the fourth happiest place in the world to live.

All of which shouldn’t come as a big surprise to us as Abraham came from the land of Ur (modern-day Iraq) and Moses travelled for 40 years to get to the Land of Milk and Honey.

Israel being fourth on the list is really because as ever the first few places are reserved, as they always are, for the Nordic countries… Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

And far from us to question the World Happiness Report but is there a Viking long handle at play here?

With that in mind and because we reckon the Nordics sweep up the good will (and ours too) at this time of the year.

El Al’s well

Let’s shake on it: Let’s hope peace breaks out

And because the Israelis could probably do with some love with all that is going on there at the moment.

We’re flagging up Dublin Airport’s recently announced new direct flight with El Al to Tel Aviv which started last week on March 23 from €399.

El Al, being as good as their word and their promise to return flights to the Promised Land.

It’s a promise many of us have made about Israel, particularly when it has been one of those destinations which was in our diary and then out just as quickly.

Israel being dangled in front of my nose as part of a joint G Adventures tour back in the day.

Only for me to park the Israel leg and just explore Jordan (a lot to take in in truth) on this occasion.

Because I felt guilty about leaving my work in the lurch for three weeks… only for me to then leave said employ a month later.

Hey, ho. El Al’s well that ends well and with the Israeli national airline carrier back on board you too can get out to enjoy Israel’s charms.

And G offering 15 days Jordan and Israel from €2799 valid on November 17.

The Nordic lands

Hans across the ocean: With American Tom in Copenhagen

Oh, heck. It would be churlish, and we really are Nordic fans, so we, and our friends at Cassidy Travel, will steer you in the direction of those magical lands.

Naturally, the Happiest Man on the Planet is always going to be found in the Happiest country.

And you’ll be glowing at the prices of a trip out to see him in Lapland. With one-night packages from €1,232pp and two-night packages from €1,643pp. With travel in December.

It’s poignant too that 70 years after Danny Kaye first told us how Wonderful Copenhagen is (we’ve since found out for ourselves) that we’re celebrating Denmark.

Which comes in at second in the list.

You can find a two-night package in May at the 3* Hotel Osterport and return flights with price from €239pp.

All this Nordic nature will of course make you happy and for many happiness is heavenly dancers in the sky, the Aurora Borealis.

See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik in Iceland, the third happiest country on the list.

With a three-night package in May, staying at the 3* Fosshotel Raudara and return flights, price from €659pp.

Countries, Cruising, Culture, Europe, Ireland, UK

Something written in the heart of Denmark

7th July 20217th July 2021 funtime65

Here’s something written in the heart of Denmark. Who’s to say if he once was an ugly duckling but the world flock to Copenhagen now because of Hans Christian Andersen?

I meet an old university pal Tom off my cruise ship.

No, not by The Little Mermaid which is some way out from Copenhagen’s main square, but by Andersen’s statue.

Once upon a time we…

No, you don’t want to read our story but Andersen’s and Copenhagen’s which are, of course, so richly entwined.

Hans was an only child, schooled in Elsinore, yes that Elsinore made famous by a certain prince.

Hans across the water

But it was to the sophisticated capital of Denmark that he made his life.

As first an actor and then a prolific writer of salutary children’s and adult books.

He took up residence in Nyhavn which is the big hub of Copenhagen today and a magnet for tourists.

You can’t help feeling his fairytale world all around you in Copenhagen’s chocolate box buildings.

Fancy a twirl?

Probably because you’re in the Tivoli Gardens.

It was opened in 1843 and is the world’s second oldest operating amusement park.

And was the inspiration for Disneyland.

The best view that you can get of Copenhagen is from the 80m swing-carousel Star Flyer, one of an abundance of thrill rides in the park.

Twirling around with only air, the park and Tom and Sarah below I feel like one of Hans’s characters.

And there in the distance is my ship to whisk me off to a far-away land.

And my little mermaid wants a swim.

Yes, just something written in the heart of Denmark.

And for more scribbled on a ship on the way to the fjords with MSC…

Countries

Sláinte World Whisky Day

15th May 202115th May 2021 funtime65

Scotland has cornered the market so much we even claim the name ‘whisky’ or ‘scotch’ but let’s share the love. Sláinte World Whisky Day everyone.

So onto a history story here.

Our preeminence in the biggest selling place in the world, America, is down to Prohibition days.

Yes, the Far East is a much sought-after market too where this northern bit of Britain is also widely acknowledged.

But while we all know, and laud, the major whisky (or whiskey if you like) countries what of the others who love the golden nectar?

Boks on the rocks

Bain’s: The only commercial whisky distillery in Africa

South Africa: For those who know, and love, the country they might be surprised to hear that SA has a global award-winning distillery.

But then Andy Watts, the Master Distiller at Bain’s Cape Mountain whisky, knows his uisge beatha.

I’d wager that a people who put ice in their wine have their whisky on the rocks.

Belgian blend

Belgium: Yes, you’ll not be surprised to see that the Belgians have only made their dab at whisky, Gouden Carolus, beer infused.

My old friend Tom, of the Hopperie in Ieper who proudly declared that he sold only beer, hundreds of labels, and could give you tasting notes, would not be amused.

Mind you he’d probably have a whisky-infused beer.

Probably the best

Denmark: It’s probably the best-preserved secret in the world.

We are reliably told that Stauning Whisky combines malted barley and malted rye.

And that fans of American whiskey will go for this. Probably!

Dams and drams

Netherlands: Back to the Low Countries for this one, That Boutique-y Whisky Company Millstone.

And the Zuidam distillery produces a six-year-old single malt which if you like your dram with a cinnamon tang will be right up your street.

Dutch barmen who instinctively use their wee plastic knives to scoop off frothy heads would need retraining.

Swigging in the valleys

Wales: It’s one of life’s mysteries (or whisky’s) that Wales is the odd man out of Celtic countries with no ‘water of life’ heritage.

Their water is surely just as God-given as the Scottish and Irish wet stuff.

And having spent a year in Cardiff I can vouch that Our Lord’s tears fall more plentifully there than anywhere else on Earth.

Brecon Beacons drop, Penderyn Welsh Gold, has vanilla infusions.

Sláinte World Whisky Day

And a whisky cocktail you say…. try this whisky sour.

Asia, Countries, Cruising, Culture, Deals, Europe, Ireland, UK

Sing for the Canaries

24th October 202024th October 2020 funtime65

And at last they listened. To me, my English Canarian pal Mathew Hirtes and to the Tinerfinos and their cousins across the islands.

The Canaries are back on the UK exempt list, and I’m breaking out the Malmsey, the Canarian wine, much beloved by Shakespeare.

Part of the scenery: Jimmy, the Tinerfino

The Canaries, as I reported this week, have been returning rates of Covid infections way down on the UK.

And as Mathew has been telling us for months we’re safer over there than we would be here.

It’s also worth restating here how liberating this is for the Holiday Trinity that always infuses our sector… the holiday providers, the hosts and the holidaymaker.

And so without further ado…

Deal me in

Jet2.com and Jet2Holidays, the UK’s largest operator to the Canaries, are recommencing flights.

To Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, from Friday from Glasgow and Edinburgh, Belfast and six other UK airports.

TUI holidaymakers haven’t seen the Canaries for 89 days but are already carrying their clients to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

There must be a plane waiting for me. And happen that my Tinerfino walking guide Eva is waiting for me to take me to Afur.

With Canaria Ways, of course.

A quick walk around the Maldives

And again…. sarong, but oh, so right

It’s more ambling than walking on Kuramathi.

The holiday notes advise you wear flip-flops and you can walk around the Maldives island in just half an hour.

While if you run out of puff in the all-year round 30C heat you can pull up a lounger or have a dip in your own villa infinity pool.

All with a regulatory Strawberry Daiquiri, of course.

And again I know a man who is in Kuramathi right now… and another man in Ireland from Turkish Airlines who will get you there and look after your every need.

While in the UK you want Kuoni.

A trip around the Greek islands

And it’s a bit like the hokey-hokey with Greece.

Mykonos is in, but Crete, Lesbos, Santorini, Serifos, Tinos and Zakynthos is now out.

Which means you don’t have to self-isolate on your return from my own two faves, Corfu and Attica island Kythera.

And with Greece obviously, you never know where your odyssey will take you…

Wonderful Copenhagen

Bet you didn’t expect that: Copenhagen

And finally Denmark, the Little Mermaid et all.

I took my own Little Mermaid there on my cruise around the Norwegian fjords with MSC Cruises, and check out how their recovery is going.

As well as seeing the Little Mermaid, you need to get your photie taken with Hans Christian Andersen.

But sorry Leichtensteiners

No, me neither. I don’t know why tiny Leichtenstein has been removed from the exempt list.

Or if indeed it’s right to use the plural.

Well, this is what Leichtenstein has to offer. I’ll just have to get out there to find out for myself… when I’m allowed.

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

Africa, America, Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Countries, Culture, Europe, Food & Wine, Ireland, Oceania, UK

Green for go to these countries

29th June 202029th June 2020 funtime65

And I’m already swotting up on New Zealand www.newzealand.com Thailand https://www.tourismthailand.org/landing and Vietnam https://vietnam.travel/home.

The UK is putting in a traffic light system for countries as we ease out of lockdown.

And my favourites are all green-lighted for return:

Austria https://www.austria.info/en Barbados https://www.visitbarbados.org Croatia www.croatia.ie Germany https://www.germany.travel/en-mobile/index.html and Greece http://www.visitgreece.gr and https://athensattica.com are all go.

Out of quarantine

Translated that means returning travellers need not quarantine for 14 days.

I’m just glad Home Secretary Priti Patel finally listened to me.

You won’t have to be an amber gamblers either if you’re visiting a country on this list:

Australia, Belgium, Canada and Denmark France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and Spain.

The hit list

And there’s been more than a sprinkling of love from most of them… https://visitbelgium.com, https://visit-canada.ca, https://www.visitdenmark.com, https://about-france.com/visit-france.htm, http://www.italia.it/en/home.html, https://www.holland.com/global/tourism.htm, www.visitportugal.com, www.myswitzerland.com and https://www.spain.info/en_GB/ https://www.spain.info/en/informacion-practica/oficinas-turismo-embajadas/turismo-exterior/oficina_de_turismo_en_dublin.html.

Bad luck though if you’re stopped at red:

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and the US.

With the last two turning my clown into a frown.

Having set in train all my trips this year around these countries I’m having to make do with North Berwick beach these past couple of months.

Barbados hotpots

You see I don’t fancy much being one of half a million on Bournemouth beach.

Give me one of Barbados’s beaches, and I’m reminded now of a tub of chicken stew and bottles of Banks beers in Bathsheba, St Joseph East… Let’s rumba in Barbados and My kiss with Rihanna.

Of course the beach is a Bajan’s dining room where the locals put up bars like we do brollies.

And where the flying fish jump out of the sea and onto your plate.

Fish of the day

There are many different varieties of cutters including liver, cheese, ham, egg and more.

Clubbing together: Club Barbados on the Platinum Coast

Or even easier are their fish cakes… do like a local and order a ‘bread and two’. On a bun.

The Bajans will be only too happy to show you how to cook up a treat…

And if you like it hot then here’s how they scare up a Pepper Pot… https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCUwplS8uhaieGiL_50XhJCg.

Countries, Ireland, UK

Scotland-Ireland – Other bridges of highs

11th February 202015th April 2020 funtime65

Blowhardery from Boris Johnson or another feat of Scottish engineering to match the Forth Road and Rail Bridges?

The proposed £40billion bridge between Portpatrick in Scotland and Larne, all 20 miles of it.

Above Beaufort’s Dyke which was a munitions dump from the Second World War.

Is this all being blown out of all proportions… let me know.

In the meantime, here are five bridges which connect countries.

Svinesund Bridge

Sweden to Norway: The Svinsund is more straightforward, connecting Norway with Sweden.

Opened in 2005, its total length is 2310ft.

Sweden felt tantalisingly within reach when we cruised from Kiel in Germany to Copenhagen and up the Norwegian fjords The call of the fjords.

See www.visitsweden.com and www.visitnorway.com.

The Oresund Bridge

Sweden to Denmark: These Scandinavians really do love their bridges.

Opened in the Millennium year 2000 the Oresund is a bridge that turns into a tunnel.

The idea is that it runs nearly five miles to the artificial island Peberholm in the middle of the strait.

Before it transfers to the two-and-a-half-mile Drogden Tunnel to the Danish island of Amager.

Also see www.visitdenmark.com.

Guadiana International Bridge

Spain to Portugal: Or more precisely from Ayamonte to Castro Marim.

Opened in 1991, there’s more of it on the Portuguese than Spanish side. All in it’s 2185ft.

And, of course it’s the oldest continuous border in continental Europe.,. Secret Portugal.

And see www.visitportugal.com and https://www.spain.info/en_GB/.

Libertador General San Martín Bridge

Argentina to Uruguay: And this one runs between Puerto Unzué snd Fray Bentos.

Opened in 1972, it spans 3.7 miles and means you get your Fray Bentos meat pie all the quicker.

See https://www.argentina.travel/#!/global/home?lang=en and https://turismo.gub.uy/index.php/en/.

Tancredo Neves Bridge

Brazil to Argentina: Another that bridges two South American rivals… and is better known as the Fraternity Bridge.

Crossing the Iguassu River it stretched 1604ft and was opened in 1985.

And was inspired by the construction of the Friendship Bridge between Brazil https://www.visitbrasil.com and Paraguay in 1965.

And back to an Ireland-Scotland bridge, don’t tell Stena https://www.stenaline.co.uk, a Swedish firm remember, who are my bridge between my two countries.

Tag: www.visitdenmark.com

The countries where all roads lead to roam