Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 12:44pm

Why you should warm to The Cold North

Everyone in Scandinavia lives in a log cabin. They all have silky blonde hair and blue eyes. They all shop in Ikea and eat meatballs or so the popular conception goes.

But why would an Irish person want to travel there? Why would anyone choose the wintery streets of Stockholm over a breezy beach in Portugal or a baked Italian villa? Why would you spend money, that you have saved with such unparalleled determination, in Copenhagen rather than in Cyprus? How could holidays up north stand on a higher pedestal than lazing about down south?

First of all, let me inform you that everyone in Scandinavia does not live in log cabin. They are not all born with angelic blonde hair and shiny blue peepers - in fact, the amount of brunettes and red heads you find will surprise you.

Many Nordic people refuse to shop in Ikea. But okay, they do love their meatballs. And pork. And fish. Basically, you will find more ham sandwiches there than actual people. But that's alright. It's simply part of the Nordic region's seductively odd charm.

It has a lot more to offer than you would think. These fruity offerings are often blocked by the sugary sweet lure of the south and some very incorrect, yet common, beliefs. For example, a quick test.

Name every country in Scandinavia. If Finland or Iceland popped into your mind, I'm afraid you're wrong. It is a common misconception that Finland and Iceland are part of Scandinavia. Yes they belong to the Nordic region, but not Scandinavia. Sweden, Norway and Denmark are the only three that belong in this bracket. It is simpler to think of the three as close, and inevitably bickering, siblings. Finland and Iceland are like their cousins. But enough about their relationships with each other. What could they possibly provide to make an Irish person fall in love with their culture?

Happiness can be defined as being satisfied with almost every aspect of your life. Nobody is ever going to be permanently content, but let me tell you, the Northerners are pretty darn close. The closest in the entire world in fact.

Over the past three decades, social scientists have handed out countless amounts of surveys to hundreds of thousands of people, questioning them on every element of their existence, from work to rest to political views.

Results, opinions and genuine feelings were recorded and analysed, and finally, scientists held in their hands a chart. This chart read the overall happiness of every single country on earth. For some reason, the first thought that jumps into most minds is "Well, America is probably one of the first." Not exactly, as the US ranks just 23rd on the list. Ireland does stand proudly at number eight, more than ten places in front of Britain, mind you. We seem to have done ourselves proud compared to other countries, even those you would expect to do well. Germany and France didn't even make the top twenty, and neither did Italy, Spain or Japan.

The fact that the warmest countries in Europe are the least happiest ones is undeniably ironic. It may seem like happiness lies in golden, sandy beaches and exotic Caribbean islands, but the facts tell a different story. Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Finland were all listed in the top ten.

That's surprising enough, but who was crowned number one? It was none other than Denmark. Innocent little Denmark. And it continues to do so, year after year. So that is where I choose to begin. There is a lot more to find there than just a few yummy pastries, although they definitely help. If you decide to give it a chance and cast aside what you read in 'Hamlet', I can assure you that nothing is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Denmark is like the middle child of the three brothers. It is relaxed and interesting yet often overlooked. It is the bridge between Scandinavia and Europe, forming a messy cluster of islands at the top of Germany that stick out proudly into the sea.

Here is a quick summary of the quirky little country for those who only associate it with Carlsberg lager: it houses five and a half million people who all speak the national language Danish, which is sort of like Swedish. It is a monarchy with one of the lowest unemployment and crime rates on earth.

There is next to no class difference in Denmark and it is ranked as one of greenest cities on the globe due to the huge number of bike riders (more than one third of Danes ride their bikes to work rather than driving) and their trendy windmills.

For tourists, the options are endless. Copenhagen, the capital, offers many of these choices. For sightseers, there is of course the world famous "Little Mermaid" statue, but there is also the National Gallery, Amalienborg Palace, hourly canal tours and the National Museum. For children (and adults acting like children) there is Tivoli Gardens, a fairytale amusement park in the centre of Copenhagen, and of course, Legoland. On a warm day, Copenhagen Zoo or Bakken, another amusement park which is found in a stunning forest, are the places to be.

When the weather gets cold, outdoor ice rinks and massive theatres are alive with both locals and visitors. Copenhagen is a shoppers paradise. Along with the unforgettable Copenhagen Fashion Week, Fields (the largest shopping centre in Scandinavia) is found here. There is also Strøget, the world's longest pedestrian street with a wealth of shops, ranging from budget-friendly brands all the way up to the world's most expensive designers. Best of all, one doesn't have to worry about dragging their moody brother/child/husband around with them, as outside Strøget is alive with magicians, acrobats and musicians.

And now to answer the question on everyone's mind- What about the food? Once again, there is nothing to complain about. Copenhagen is home to thirteen Michelin-starred restaurants, which gives it more than Rome, Madrid, Berlin and Vienna. But you don't need to dine in such classy places to get a taste of the real Denmark. Danish open-faced sandwiches, or smørrebrød, are a huge hit with any visitor and come in over 200 varieties.

There is a restaurant in Denmark for everyone- fish, vegetarian, organic, budget, child-friendly- you name it. If dining out is still a little too pricey for you, a bakery, pub, cafe or sushi bar is never out of reach. Music festivals and clubs are widespread throughout the country and for the sporty bunch, Denmark is full of golf courses, swimming pools, gyms, parks, marinas and cycle paths. And by the way, Denmark isn't as cold as you'd expect. In summers, temperatures can reach the toasty twenties. Still not impressed? Maybe Sweden, the big brother, will intrigue you.

Sweden is beautiful, wealthy and effortlessly fashionable. The cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö offer very different flavours of one nation. There are too many parks, amusements and museums to name and the music scene, especially in Stockholm, is absolutely electric. There is a show, a concert or a nightclub for everyone in the country's vibrant cultural life. Stockholm is not only an adults city, but a family city too. Sweden is a huge hit with children and their parents due to their massive range of child-friendly amusements, such as Skansen, the open-air museum, the Lill-Skansen zoo, ice rinks and aquariums.

You'll also find parks and playgrounds, swimming and sports facilities everywhere for children of all ages. Public transport is designed to accommodate children and prams, and most restaurants offer discounts or even free meals for children. Sweden also has a reputation for being the 'gastronomic metropolis' of Europe. You can get any kind of food in Stockholm, whether its meaty Nordic cuisine or international dishes you crave. Like Denmark, there is a never ending list of choices that suit every type of budget. As for Swedish fashion, it cannot be put down in words. Swedish designers are world-renowned for their strange and colourful ideas, as well as producing practical, everyday styles at affordable prices. Whether you want a Chanel blouse, a cheap woolly scarf or a pair of retro leather boots, trust me, you'll find it in Sweden (and probably about 56,000 other things you'd like to buy as well).

Norway, the little brother, also has very similar offerings, but is perhaps less busy and more "au naturel" than the other two siblings. Although Scandinavia is stunning as a whole, if you are looking for breathtaking sightseeing opportunities, you must visit Norway. It has mountains, forests, lakes, fjords, coasts, pretty countrysides, towns and adorable villages, along with once-in-life-time spectacles like the midnight sun and the aurora lights. If this isn't your thing, take refuge in Oslo, Norway's captivating capital.

And if you want to journey further into the north and cross the boundaries of Scandinavia, Finland and Iceland are both unforgettable destinations. No matter where you travel in the North, you can be sure that you will be entertained and well fed. It's easy to get around due to extremely reliable public-transport systems and although its cold outside, buildings are always heated comfortably.

As for accommodation, hotels, apartments, holiday homes and cabins are abundant in all Nordic countries. And don't go buying 'Swedish for Dummies' or any such book- once you arrive in Scandinavia you will realise that they all speak English better than English people. Nordic people, despite their reputation for being dour and blunt, are actually a wonderful race who do have a sense of humour - it just takes a little while to squeeze it out of them. It is true they are not the most forthcoming bunch, but if you summon up the courage to speak to them first (as you will probably have to in order to get them talking) you will see how kind they are. Nordic people are very helpful and also very accepting of the Irish.

A common belief is that visiting Scandinavia will cost you an arm and a leg. This is not true! Of course if you go on a shopping spree in six designer stores and eat food that's the finest of the fine three times a day the bills will stack up mercilessly. But the average person does not, especially in today's world, have the money to do this.

However, this does not mean the North should be knocked off your holiday destination wish list. Entertainment, accommodation, food and transport can all be found at recession-friendly prices, even in the capitol cities. Sticking to a budget will not limit you in any way, and just like in a supermarket, you have to hunt around for the best deals. Scandinavian Airlines now offer flights direct to Copenhagen from Dublin for €58. Iceland has never been cheaper to visit due to its economic collapse, with offers for family holidays not even reaching €1,000. These countries don't grace the top of the world's happiest people list for no reason. The North is alive with fun, opportunity and energy, and Irish people would be able to see that if they stopped looking towards the south so longingly.

If you are lucky enough to be able to afford to take a holiday this summer, why not take off your sunglasses for one moment and consider Scandinavia. Its modern, bright, dependable, charming, incredibly clean, stunning, affordable, family friendly and a little bit different. Why lie like a beached whale on a rickety sun lounger when you can dig into hot Swedish pancakes with jam in a bohemian Stockholm cafe? Why get sunburn as you dodge jellyfish in salty seas when you can grab a pair of skis and whizz down spectacular white summits in Norway?

Who would choose a damp, overused, hotel bathroom in Spain over the hot volcanic springs in Iceland? Be brave, be strange and be smart; don't fall into the southern trap this summer. Explore the possibilities of Scandinavia and you will find that it is unbeatable for a solo getaway, a romantic trip abroad or a family holiday. And on your return, you will be astonished- not because you had the time of your life, and not because you still have some change and all your limbs- but because you will realise that you've just fallen in love with The Cold North.

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